bosomed amid lofty mountains, many of
which are covered with fir trees to their
summits, and over these tower the snowy
heads of the Jungfrau, the Eiger, and the
Silver Horn. The Jungfrau is the loftiest
mountain, except one, in the whole range
of the northern Alps ; it rises as high above
Interlaken (within 500 feet) as Mont Blanc
rises above the valley of Chamouny, and
appears more sublime, as it stands on
a much smaller base. The scenery round
Interlaken is so rich, varied, and majestic,
that it leaves nothing for the imagination
to supply ; and the numerous walks and
excursions which can be conveniently taken
from thence, render it a most eligible station
for those who wish to contemplate,
at their leisure, the grandest part of the
northern, or Swiss Alps. Interlaken is a
favourite place of resort o f the inhabitants
o f Berne in the height of the summer;
there are several boarding houses, the
terms of which are four francs and a half
per day, and a very good inn. The season
being far advanced, there was no company
at the boarding houses, and we fixed our
quarters at the inn. The crowds of travellers
who fly through this country in summer,
either to kill time, or merely for th e
pleasure of saying they had been here,
were departed ; and the tourists now travelling
were, for the most part, true lovers
o f nature. I t was our good fortune to
meet with more agreeable and intelligent
society at Interlaken, than we had seen in
any of our former expeditions.
We remained a month in the Bernese
Oberland, as the autumn was uncommonly
mild. To the delight received from the
scenery, was added the satisfaction of observing
the neatness, comfort, and enjoyment
o f the people. I could not compare
their situation with that of the Savoyards,
without reflecting on the cause whence this
difference arose. I t certainly is not from
the soil, or climate ; for in both these
respects Savoy has the advantage. The
superiority of condition of the Bernese peasantry
must be sought in a feeling of independence,
an exemption from all oppressive
services or'taxes, and a ju st government.
I f history does not sufficiently convince us,
that national misery is the invariable result
of a despotic government, we may contemplate
the actual condition of the people
under the domination of Austria and Na