have distinguished themselves, I have seen in an old table the following list, viz. "Indeed so great was the reputation of these monks for learning of all kinds, that so early as the year 840, according to Tritemeus, not only divinity and philosophy, but mathematics, poetry, rhetoric, the Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and Latin languages were taught by them. Mathematics, I doubt myself, because I believe even now, there are objections made to that study. To be sure the Inquisition, which is the supreme judge as to the fitness and propriety of every book, did not then exist: I do not, however, venture to contradict this asscrtion; but I may be permitted to doubt it. The abbey of Montcassin, a short time after its foundation possessed 4 Bishopricks 20 Counties 36 Cities 200 Castles 300 Territories 640 Villages 33 Islands 200 Mills, and 1662 Churches. "Do not fancy, Edward, that these monks were useless members of society, they were not, for their monasteries were, as I said before, schools where every kind of learning was taught." Having directed their steps eastward, our travellers passed through a beautiful country till they came to the pretty town of Wallerstadt, situated on a lake of the same name, where, enchanted with the surrounding scenery, they remained four or five days, and then pursued their journey through the wild and romantic country of Toggenburg, which has lately been united to St. Gallen. At every turning of the road, a town, village, monastery, fortress, valley or picturesque ruin presented itself. Edward, whose young imagination contemplated with a thrilling delight the grand and imposing scenes before him, pointed out with all the energy of his character the different objects which particularly fixed his attention. The ascent of some of the mountains has been considered so impracticable, that bridges are thrown across from one summit to another. The river Thor assumes va. rious characters as it traverses this mountainous country. Sometimes it rushes precipitously down the sides of the rocks, forming beautiful cascades, while at others it winds silently along a neighbouring valley. "We must visit the baths at Preffers," said Dr. Walker, as they wandered one evening along the banks of the beautiful lake of Wallenstadt, " for they really are a great curiosity. They were discovered by chance, as most of these natural curiosities must be, unless there is some evident indication of their existence which tempts the curious to make researches. In the reign of the emperor Frederick II. (he lived in the thirteenth century,) one of his huntsmen was eagerly pursuing a chamois amongst these rocks, when his attention was attracted by the Tamiro, a bold rapid river, which rise in these mountains. So much was he struck by the beauty of the stream, that he resolved to trace it to its source, and accordingly he pursued his steps, deafened by the clamour of the waters in dashing over the broken points of the rocks. Being at length weary and exhausted, he stopped, and perceiving a small spring issuing out of one part of the rock, he stooped to refresh himself with the clear and limpid beverage, when to his great surprise he found it nearly boiling hot. Lost in contemplation at so extraordinary a circumstance, he forgot both the goat and the source of the river, and with difficulty found his way back to the abbey. Having communicated to the abbot the discovery he had made, the monk sent proper persons to examine its nature, who having given the most favourable accounts of its qualities, the abbot immediately ordered the spring to be enclosed, and caused a building to be erected near it for the accommodation of those invalids who might wish to benefit by its salubrious virtues. So wonderful were the cures effected by this water, that people flocked to it from all parts. I shall say nothing of its immediate situation, as I intend you shall see it." Having reached Sargans, situated on a rock that divides Toggenburg from the Grisons, they had a superb view of one part of the Alps, which here formed a grand outline to the scene. The day after their arrival, they hired a guide, and set off for the baths of Preffers. The road to them was dangerous, it was made with great difficulty some little time ago; but it impends so much over the Tamiro, that few persons chuse to attempt it. Many still preferring being let down in a basket from one wild rock to another, the depth of a thousand feet. In the year 1601, the original building for the entertainment of travellers was burnt, when one more commodious was erected higher up the mountain; for the first was so overhung by the rocks on all sides, that at three o'clock the company were obliged to have candies. Edward would have preferred the road, but as Doctor Walker chose to go in the basket, his young friend gave up the point and accompanied him. The Doctor, however, indulged him one day with an excursion to this enchanting spot under the care of two experienced guides; and Colin, who began to think the scene almost equalled that of his native woods and wilds, was allowed to attend him. Upon their return Edward described his ramble in all the glowing colours of a lively imagination. Among the peculiar objects which he mentioned was the number of beautiful rainbows formed by the rays of the sun as they obliquely caught the silvery drops of the innumerable cascades of the Tamiro which precipitate themselves over rocks of granite and marble six or seven hundred feet deep. The guides on these excursions generally go first with a rope in their hand, one end of which the traveller holds, as with a fearful admiration he treads the mazy path. Before they left the neighbourhood, they went to the abbey, which is about two hours walk from the baths; they were hospitably entertained by the abbot. The building is a magnificent structure, and contains a great many apartments, several of which are reserved for the accommodation of travellers. The steps and columns of the grand entrance are of marble, and the church is very splendidly decorated after the catholic manner. It is surrounded by a wall of black and white marble, and makes a most imposing and magnificent appearance. From Preffers our travellers directed their steps in a northwest direction, and after a delightful and variegated journey, they at length arrived at Rapperschweil, a fine town standing on the confines of the Glaciers of Zurich. The southern part of the Lake of Zurich is bounded by the lofty mountains of Schweitz and Glarus; but on the north a richly culti vated and beautiful valley stretches as far as the eye can reach. The island of Asnow forms a conspicuous feature in the beauty of this mixed scenery; it is extremely woody; and the towers of a convent are seen rearing their venerable heads amidst its dark and luxuriant foliage. This island is united to the town of Rapperschweil, by a bridge one thousand eight hundred and fifty feet long, and twelve wide. From Rapperschweil the road to Zurich takes nearly every bending form of the indented lake. Their journey was most agreeable, for in addition to the beauties of the scenery, whenever they approached near a village, the sound of music caught their delighted ears. The inhabitants appear to be alive to the witchery of sound, and it is not uncommon to see the peasant people, when the labours of the day are done, enjoying themselves with their family, and forgetting their toils in the pleasures of the song. corum preserved in the churches at Zurich is very striking; and the fervour and devotion with which the whole congregation appear actuated, are such as to inspire indifferent people with sentiments of respect; and to use the words of Goldsmith: "Fools who came to scoff remain to pray." The de The hospitality of the inhabitants of Zurich is as conspicuous as their devotion. Zurich is situated on the lake of the same name, on the declivity of a sloping bank, and is divided by the Limmon, over which there are two fine bridges; one of these is so large, that it serves as a market place, and the other which is covered, forms an agreeable promenade. The view from the first is very extensive; it commands the whole of the lake, in the form of an amphitheatre, with the towers and buildings rising gradually, and above these appear sloping banks enriched by gardens, villas, orchards, in short every object of picturesque and romantic beauty seem here combined. The most considerable and ancient of the buildings is the great church dedicated to St. Felix; on one of its towers, which are covered with copper, stands the statue of Charlemagne; on the other that of Rupert Duke of Suabia. When Zurich embraced the reformed religion, which it did at an early period, the revenues of the monastery were appropriated to the payment of professors of the learned languages and polite literature. In the old library are several very valuable manuscripts, among which a bible presented by Charlemagne, is highly valued. It is called Cedex Carolinus. Our travellers visited the arsenal, which is said to be the best furnished of any in Switzerland, more for the sake of seeing the statue of William Tell, the deliverer of his coun try, than to inspect the vast store of arms here deposited. He is habited in the ancient Swiss dress, and the arrow with which he hit the apple on his son's head, is not forgotten. At the end of the beautiful walk called Leudenhoffen, (Sycamore-court,) stands the ancient church of Tranen Munster, and attached to it is the Abbaie Royale des Dames, the ladies of which, at the Reformation, ceded their revenues, which were very considerable to the town, and they are now applied in the education of poor children. Zurich was the place of residence of the celebrated Gessner, of Lavater the physiognomist, and of Zuingle, the enlightened reformer. Perhaps there are few things which more attract the attention of a traveller in Switzerland, than the variety of dress which meets his eye in every direction. The costume of every canton is different, though the women all seem to agree in one respect, viz. that of short petticoats, and smart bodices, generally laced across in the form of a stomacher. They are fond of gaudy colours, and it is not unusual to see a mixture of all the tints of the rainbow, yet arranged with so much taste, as not to offend the eyc. "We have passed many pretty villages and towns," Sir," said Edward to the Doctor, the morning after they quitted Zurich; "but I do not think any of importance; is there no other principal town in this canton ?" DR. WALKER.- "Yes; but not many. Winterthur, which lies in the north, quite out of our track, is the next most ancient, as well as important town of this canton; carrying on a brisk trade in oil and vitriol. The Romans built a fortress in its neighbourhood, and called it Vittorum ; and there are now the remains near the great church yard of an old Roman wall, where they encamped for winter quarters. The present town was, however, founded in the 13th cen tury, by Henman 1st, count of Ryburg. There are two natural phenomena attached to Winterthur, which I shall mention to you. Some years ago the tower of the great church was supposed to be on fire, and the most dreadful apprehensions were entertained by the inhabitants as to the result. Some of the most courageous immediately mounted the walls with buckets of water, in order to extinguish it; but when they arrived at the top, they saw no appearance of fire, although the people below still fancied they saw the sparks flying in every direction. The same deception has since appeared, but without causing any alarm, and it is now |