SOURCE OF THE RHONE.
GLACIER OF THE FOURCHE, OR FURCA.
MONT ST. GOTHARD.
RETURN TO MÜNSTER.
Münster, or Monasterium, one of the chief places in the Dizains of Goms, or
Gonches, is pleasantly situated in the midst of a large fertile plain, sheltered from
the bleak northerly winds by Mont Grimsel, and stretches along the banks of the
Rhône. This commonalty, though occupying a high elevation in the Valíais, is extremely
populous, and extends about thirty English miles from east to west, and sixteen
from north to south, being terminated by the frozen summits that border the
valley at those two extremities.
It is likewise divided into upper and lower districts, or parishes, of which the
mayor, or chief magistrate, is alternately chosen, every year, by the inhabitants of those
districts.
Munster called the metropolis of the upper, and Arnen that of the lower, which
is a pretty town, well built, and its environs rich in pastures. The inhabitants of
the former are closely allied to the Swiss cantons of Uri, Underwalden, and Lucerne,
by a treaty made in 1416, at which time the privilege of perpetual bourgeoisie was
conferred on them, by way of compensation for the great services they had rendered
to those cantons, in the wars they had to sustain against their neighbours.
The people in this part of the Valíais are much more religious than the rest j for
which reason they have gained the appellation of Catholic, though the whole of the
country be of the same persuasion ; and, what is more singular, each dizain has
its appropriate epithet ; as, Sedunum Caput, or Sion the Head ; Sernim Amtmiim, Siders
the Agreeable; Leuca Forlis, or Leuk the Strong; RarorumPrtidens, Raren the Prudent;