XIX. THE TOWN OF SCHWYTZ. By antique Fancy trimmed To dignity in thee, O SCHWYTZ! are seen The genuine features of the golden mean; Or jealous Nature ruling in her stead; And, therefore, art thou blest with peace, serene XX. ON HEARING THE "RANZ DES VACHES ON THE TOP OF THE PASS OF ST. GOTHARD. 1 LISTEN - but no faculty of mine Avails those modulations to detect, Which, heard in foreign lands, the Swiss affect * Nearly 500 years (says Ebel, speaking of the French Invasion,) had elapsed, when, for the first time, foreign soldiers were seen upon the frontiers of this small Canton, to impose upon it the laws of their governors. Mindful how others love this simple Strain, XXI. THE CHURCH OF SAN SALVADOR, SEEN FROM THE LAKE OF LUNAGO. This Church was almost destroyed by lightning a few years ago, but the Altar and the Image of the Patron Saint were untouched. The Mount, upon the summit of which the Church is built, stands amid the intricacies of the Lake of Lugano; and is, from a hundred points of view, its principal ornament, rising to the height of 2000 feet, and, on one side, nearly perpendicular. The ascent is toilsome; but the traveller who performs it will be amply rewarded. - Splendid fertility, rich woods and dazzling waters, seclusion and confinement of view contrasted with sealike extent of plain fading into the sky; and this again, in an opposite quarter, with an horizon of the loftiest and boldest Alps-unite in composing a prospect more diversified by magnificence, beauty, and sublimity, than perhaps any other point in Europe, of so inconsiderable an elevation, commands. THOU Sacred Pile! whose turrets rise From yon steep Mountain's loftiest stage, Sink (if thou must) as heretofore, To sulphurous bolts a sacrifice, On Horeb's top, on Sinai, deigned Why leap the fountains from their cells Cliffs, fountains, rivers, seasons, times, Glory, and patriotic Love, And all the Pomps of this frail " spot Religion in the sainted grove, And in the hallowed grot. Thither, in time of adverse shocks, He, too, of battle-martyrs chief! ✶ Arnold Winkelried, at the battle of Sempach, broke an Austrian phalanx in this manner. The event is one of the most famous in the annals of Swiss heroism; and pictures and prints of it are frequent throughout the country. XXII. FORT FUENTES. The Ruins of Fort Fuentes form the crest of a rocky eminence that rises from the plain at the head of the Lake of Como, commanding views up the Valteline, and toward the town of Chiavenna. The prospect in the latter direction is characterised by melancholy sublimity. We rejoiced at being favoured with a distinct view of those Alpine heights; not, as we had expected from the breaking up of the storm, steeped in celestial glory, yet in communion with clouds floating or stationary scatterings from heaven. The Ruin is interesting both in mass and in detail. An In. scription, upon elaborately-sculptured marble lying on the ground, records that the Fort had been erected by Count Fuentes in the year 1600, during the reign of Philip the Third; and the Chapel, about twenty years after, by one of his Descendants. Marble pillars of gateways are yet standing, and a considerable part of the Chapel walls: a smooth green turf has taken place of the pavement, and we could see no trace of altar or image; but every where something to remind one of former splendour, and of devastation and tumult. In our ascent we had passed abundance of wild vines intermingled with bushes: near the ruins were some ill-tended, but growing willingly; and rock, turf, and fragments of the pile, are alike covered or adorned with a variety of flowers, among which the rosecoloured pink was growing in great beauty. While descending, we discovered on the ground, apart from the path, and at a considerable distance from the ruined Chapel, a statue of a Child in pure white marble, uninjured by the explosion that had driven it so far down the hill. "How little," we exclaimed, " are these things valued here! Could we but transport this pretty Image to our own garden!"— Yet it seemed it would have been a pity any one should remove it from its couch in the wilder. ness, which may be its own for hundreds of years. Extract from Journal. DREAD hour! when, upheaved by war's sulphurous blast, So far from the holy enclosure was cast, To rest where the lizard may bask in the palm Of his half-open hand pure from blemish or speck; And the green, gilded snake, without troubling the calm Of the beautiful countenance, twine round his neck. Where haply (kind service to Piety due!) When winter the grove of its mantle bereaves, Some Bird (like our own honoured Redbreast) may strew The desolate Slumberer with moss and with leaves. FUENTES Once harboured the good and the brave, Nor to her was the dance of soft pleasure unknown; Her banners for festal enjoyment did wave While the thrill of her fifes thro' the mountains was blown: Now gads the wild vine o'er the pathless Ascent XXIII. THE ITALIAN ITINERANT, AND THE SWISS GOATHERD. PART I. 1. Now that the farewell tear is dried, Heaven prosper thee, be hope thy guide! The wages of thy travel, joy! |