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It certainly does not convey an adequate idea of the actual height; but the whole, as a richly beautiful and diversified picture, is singularly enchanting and unique.

Schaffhausen is pleasantly situated directly on the Rhine. It is peculiar for the antique architecture of its houses, whose fronts and projecting oriel windows are decorated with carvings and stucco-work. There are a few remains of the fresco paintings with which many of the houses were originally entirely covered outside. But no tourist ought to place himself elsewhere than at the Weber Hotel. Though remote from the town, and consequently not much frequented, save by tourists in the season, the charges are as reasonable as at other hotels, while the comfort and pleasure of it are first-rate. A voiture took us very early on Monday morning, at the same small charge as the omnibus, to Schaffhausen ; and at seven o'clock we found ourselves seated in the coupé of the diligence, the conductor or guard making the third, for Zurich. After his politeness had effected as long an abstinence from his cigar as he could well endure, he placed himself on the top of the vehicle greatly to our relief, and to the advantage of his own favourite occupation. The morning was beautiful, and the country was pretty, though presenting no peculiar features of interest, save our first introduction to the snowy Alps with the Rigi in the middle distance. The descent upon Zurich, between vineyards and gardens, amidst neat villas and taverns, with the windings of the Limmat, and the lake and town of Zurich in front, is very pleasing. We arrived at the Baur Hotel, a large, handsome, and comfortable house, about twelve o'clock. Wishing to get to Zug that night, we enquired about the steamer, which we had learnt sails every afternoon up the lake at three o'clock. The waiter informed us that it was laid up under repair, and that we could not proceed. Whether he spoke according to information, or it was only a trick to detain us, I cannot say but it was one instance amongst others in which is learnt the importance of going

always to head-quarters; for finding that the steamer was lying at no great distance, we went, and discovered from the captain that she was going at her usual hour. We had time enough to see all that is worthy of observation in Zurich. Though the most important manufacturing town in Switzerland, with its 14,000 inhabitants, it presents none of the draw backs of such towns in general, but is a remarkably pleasant and inviting locality for a residence. It lies on the Limmat, just where it issues out of the lake in a rapid and healthful stream, as clear as crystal. We looked at the cathedral, or Gross Münster, with respect and interest, not only as venerable from its age, having been built in the 10th or 11th century, but also as having been the scene of the labours of the bold and faithful Reformer, Zwingle. The house where he passed the last six years of his life, is still standing; it is No. 185, in the Gross Stadt. The church of St. Peter, with the large clock, on the left bank of the Limmat, had for its minister, for twenty-three years, Lavater, who was born at Zurich. On the capture of the town by the French army, in Sept. 1799, he was shot within a few steps of his own door, by a brutal French soldier, to whom, but two minutes before, he had given wine and offered money, and while he was in the act of assisting another soldier who had been wounded. A high reward was offered by Massena, the French commander, for the discovery of the murderer; but though known to Lavater and his family, he refrained from informing against him. After lingering through three months of excruciating agony, he expired at the parsonage, Jan. 2, 1801. We visited the town library. It contains 45,500 printed volumes and MSS. We saw the three autograph Latin letters of Lady Jane Grey, addressed to Bullinger, in a beautifully clear and regular hand: also Zwingle's Greek Bible, with marginal notes, chiefly Hebrew, by himself: also a Roman inscription, giving the ancient name of Zurich, Turicum; a very old and curious globe of large dimensions; and a very interesting model in relief of a large part of Switzerland. It was impossible not to contemplate with

peculiar interest a place so historically remarkable in connexion with the Reformation. It was here that it first commenced in Switzerland, under the guidance and preaching of Zwingle, in 1519. It had, at an earlier period, afforded shelter to Arnold, of Brescia, when driven out of Italy for inveighing against the temporal power of the Pope. It was the asylum of many eminent British Protestants, banished by the persecutions of the reign of Queen Mary, who met with a friendly reception from its inhabitants during their exile. The first entire English version of the Bible, by Miles Coverdale, was printed here in 1535.

Zurich is the native place of Hammerlin, the reformer; of Gessner, the poet; and Gessner, the naturalist; of Lavater, and of Pestalozzi.

At Fuseli's shop, near the stone bridge, we bought Keller's admirable map of Switzerland, which every one should possess who travels through that country. Soon after three o'clock, we started in the steamer up the lake for Horgen. The lake has no pretensions to grandeur of scenery, but it has a charm peculiarly its ownthat of life and rich cultivation. Its borders are a bee-hive, teeming with population, and are embellished and enlivened at every step by the work of man. The hills around it are less than 3000 feet high above the sea, and descend in gentle slopes to the water's edge, wooded on their tops, clad with vineyards, orchards, and gardens on their slopes, and carpetted with verdant pastures, or crops of grain at their feet. The hills from one end to the other are dotted with white houses, villas of citizens, and cottages and farms. Every little stream descending from the hill is compelled to do duty by turning some mill; at the mouths of the vallies enormous factories are erected, and thus the shores of the lake on either side have almost the appearance of a vast uninterrupted village. The effect of this lively foreground is heightened by the appearance of the snowy peaks of the Sentis, Dödi, and Glärnisch, which are seen at different points, peering above the nearer hills. The lake is about twenty-six miles long, and not more than three broad. We

landed at Horgen soon after five o'clock. We were told at the Schwan that there was no carriage of any kind to be had. We suspected a trick to detain us, and as the place looked anything but inviting, we sallied forth to enquire in all directions. Presently the ostler came to tell us that he had got a voiteur, and that we could proceed. We had no sooner started than we found our poor horse was so lame that it could scarcely move. The sun was nearly setting, and we knew that under the most favourable circumstances, we had a drive before us of nearly three hours. We began to think that we had done wrong in not making the most of our quarters at the Schwan. However, soon we were amply repaid for the step we had taken. For no consideration would we have missed the effect of the sun-set on the snowy Alps, as we leisurely went up the long ascent from Horgen. The distant peaks and glaciers of the Alps of Glarus, Uri, and Schwytz were tinged with the most delicate pink by the sinking rays. The effect was most enchanting; and we agreed that it was worth any sacrifice. We made better progress however than we anticipated, for our "coachman" got a nimbler steed at a half-way house, and we arrived at the Hirsch Hotel, in Zug, about nine o'clock, rather too late for the lovely scenery in the valley of the Sihl, which we crossed by a wooden covered bridge, dividing the cantons of Zurich and Zug. I have never been able to make out exactly the meaning of those huge heavy covers to the bridges which are so common in Switzerland. The only intent that I could hear of is to protect the bridge from the weather. Zug is surrounded by old walls, and has an antiquated appearance, which, along with its position close upon the lake, gives it a peculiar interest. There are remains also of the fresco paintings outside the houses, especially in front of our hotel, which is very old fashioned, being built round a yard, with galleries opening to the rooms on the second story, and open at the top. The next day was a market or fair, and the town was full of the natives, which gave us a good opportunity for seeing

the curious variety of their grotesque and fanciful costumes.

Just out of the town, on a terrace towards the lake, we had a magnificent view of the snowy Alps. The inhabitants, about 3,200 in number, are exclusively Roman Catholics. There is a Capuchin convent and nunnery in Zug. As our real object was to ascend Rigi, we sent our portmanteau to Lucerne, by Diligence, only taking what I could carry on horseback. It was another lovely morning, and we took a boat to the head of the lake, which is eight miles long, and not a mile broad. Yet it possesses exquisite beauty. Before us, on the south, we had the Rigi, rising abruptly from the water's edge, and presenting its precipices towards it, and forming a feature of considerable grandeur in conjunction with the Pilatus rising behind it. The Rossberg rising in the south-east, is lofty and steep. The lake at its base is not less than 1200 feet deep. In two hours we were at the little town of Arth, at the head of the lake, containing above 2000 inhabitants, Roman Catholic, and charmingly situated on the lake, between the base of the Rossberg and the Rigi.

The good landlady at the Schwarzer Adler, or Black Eagle, introduced to us an intelligent looking guide, and strongly recommended us to take him. We were now commencing the difficulties of Swiss travelling; and feeling somewhat nervous in the engage Mons. Alois at least for a week, to strangeness of so doing, we agreed as far as Interlachen. His terms were reasonable, six francs a-day, he paying all his own expenses, two days over-pay for return; and his credentials, contained in a book which he shewed us, were very satisfactory. He had high testimonials from Dr. Jelf, of Oxford, Mr. Monckton, and other names well known to us. I mounted my steed, and we proceeded up the lovely vale to Goldau, where our joyous and happy feelings were suddenly damped by the evident marks of the catastrophe of 1806, the particulars of which our guide proceeded to give us.

The Rossberg is a mountain nearly 5000 feet high; the upper part of it

consists of a conglomerated or pudding stone, formed of rounded masses of other rocks cemented together. From the nature of the structure of this kind of rock, it is very liable to become cracked; and if rain water or springs penetrate these fissures, they will not fail to moisten or dissolve the unctuous beds of clay which separate the nagelflue from the strata below, and cause large portions of it to detach themselves from the mass. The strata of the Rossberg are tilted up from the side of the lake of Zug, and slope down to Goldau like the roof of a house. We clearly discovered the slanting direction of the seams which part the strata, as we went towards it from Arth. If, therefore, the clay which fills these seams be washed out by rains, or be reduced to the state of a viscous or slimy mud, it is evident that such portions of the rock as have been detached from the rest by the fissures above alluded to, must slip down, like the masses of snow which fall from the roof of a house, as soon as the lower side is thawed, or as a vessel when launched slides down the inclined plane, properly greased to hasten its descent.

The vacant space along the top of the mountain, caused by the descent of a portion of it, calculated to have been three miles long, 1000 feet broad, and 100 feet thick, and a small fragment at its further extremity, which remained when the rest broke off, are also very apparent, and assist in telling the story. The long and wide inclined plane forming the side of the mountain, now ploughed up and scarified, as it were, was previously covered with fields, woods, and houses. Very touching particulars are left on record of the ravages occasioned by the fall of the Rossberg. Suffice it to say, that the effects of this terrible convulsion were the entire destruction of the villages of Goldau, Bussingen, Rothen, and a part of Lowertz; the rich pasturages in the valley and on the slope of the mountain, entirely overwhelmed by it and ruined, were estimated to be worth £150,000.

111 houses, and more than 200 stables and chalets were buried under the debris of rocks which of them

selves form hills several hundred feet high. More than 450 human beings perished by this catastrophe, and whole herds of cattle were swept away. Five minutes sufficed to complete the work of destruction.

The lake of Lowertz was diminished one quarter in consequence of the avalanche of mud and rubbish which entered it, and its waters were thrown up in a wave, seventy feet high, to the opposite bank, so as to cover the picturesque island, and sweep away a small chapel which stood upon it.

It was a melancholy spectacle, and the many glances which we could not fail to take of the ruptured Rossberg, as we ascended Rigi, were calculated

to create a chastened and subdued feeling of delight which was safest and best for us amidst so much that was enjoyable. But where is the rose without its thorn, or the cup without its mixed ingredients? There is wisdom and mercy in the appointment; and if the dark cloud sets off the bright and dazzling picture to advantage, we may depend upon it that there is benefit in those occurrences of life, the melancholy influence of which we are apt to think we could dispense with. We must not forget to bear in mind that they have a bearing on other considerations which, without their influence, might prove anything but for our gain.

(To be continued.)

SEA-SIDE THOUGHTS.

I.

In vain would my ambitious sight
Take in, O Sea! thy whole extent,

Which here spreads forth, blue, vast, and bright,
Like some inferior firmament.

Yet to my feet thy waves advance,

And courteously deposit there

Smooth shells or weeds which, to the glance

Of faith, thy Maker's impress wear.

Thus though Truth's awful secrets lie

Before us, a broad, shoreless sea,

And vainly would the mental eye
Aspire to scan infinity,

Yet at our side its billows break,

(God's holy Word of light and love,)
Commanding us those gifts to take
Cast down so freely from above;
Bidding us not to breathe desire

A knowledge more than meet to gain,
(Complaining like a wind-swept lyre

Whose notes no voice returns again,)
But teaching us to treasure well

Whate'er of wisdom God has given,

And think that in earth's lowliest shell

May lurk some glorious pearl from heaven.

II.

The sunlight with gladness the billows was vesting
And sweet was the music they sent to the shore:
A cloud on their heads cast its gloom: but, unresting,
Their beautiful anthem peal'd on as before.

Thus whether the stream of my life may be glassing
The sun-light of joy, or o'ershadowed may be
By sorrow's dark figure, reluctantly passing,
Still, Lord! let my praises rise ever to Thee,

M.N.

Review.

THE ITALIAN SWISS PROTESTANTS OF THE GRISONS. By Dr. MARRIOTT. With two Introductory Prefaces by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, M.A.; and the Rev. James Currie, Rusholme, Manchester. Partridge and Oakey, London.

THE productions of the press are not to be valued by their bulk; the real value is to be estimated by the quantum of new and useful information thrown into the understanding, and, above all, by the degree of practical influence in a moral and religious point of view to which that information leads.

It may be thought strange to devote to our Review department a little fourpenny tract of forty pages, but we can promise our readers, from this apparently scanty source, a treat of no common interest, while many of them, we trust, will be tempted by this affecting narrative, to give themselves, through this channel, the luxury of doing good.

In such reflections as are suggested at the commencement of a new year, we are solemnly impressed with the conviction that if they who wield the public press would rightly discharge their responsibility, they must have their eye on the aspect of the times, and urge the professing Christian world to the discharge of such duties as they manifestly dictate. What godly man for a moment can doubt but that God has a controversy with this nation? Or who can do otherwise than tremble for the ark in the midst of us? The most superficial observer of passing events must be struck with the remarkable position of jeopardy in which our dearest interests are placed. As Christians, then, our evident duty is to be considering wherefore the Lord contends with us, and why his jealousy is burning; and to be asking ourselves, individually and collectively, what it is we have to put away, and what to be doing, in order that the Lord may be incline to pity his people, and repent him of the evil; and at all events, that we may be able to abide the day of his coming, when he comes as a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.

Unquestionably the grand reform that needs to be effected amongst us of this highly favoured nation, is the breaking down and bringing to the ground of that spirit of selfishness which shuts up man within the contracted limits of his own imagined benefit, and checks the sympathies which ought to be of an expansive and diffusive character. It is this selfishness which forms the intolerant bigotry in our Church, and the sectarian virulence amongst Dissenters which effectually nullifies and counteracts the law of love, and presents to the world the wretched spectacle of the Church in her sullied and

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riven garments. "All seek their own. Men will "look on their own things, not on the things of others." They will not "bear one anothers burdens."

And it is this selfishness which presents the tremendously fearful picture in this nation of the highest luxury and self-indulgence and overwhelming wealth on the one hand, and the most appalling depth of wretchedness, and degradation, and suffering on the other. Yes, and which presents further, the spectacle of a Christian nation raised up to heaven in Christian privilege and knowledge, but failing to manifest a diffusiveness of its Christianity proportioned to its powers, and to the necessities and claims, aye, and the cries, of the world at large. We have the loaf in Britain, and what poor scanty crumbs steal out of our abundance for foreign need! We are very guilty concerning our brother both at home and abroad, both as it respects the bread that perishes, and the bread which endures unto everlasting life.

And thus selfishness, as it is our national sin and guilt, so, if not checked, will prove our national ruin. God is not mocked. He tells us plainly why some are permitted to

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