SWITZERLAND

In the same series

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
ENGLAND
FRANCE
ITALY

AT LES PLANS IN APRIL.

SWITZERLAND

BY

FRANK FOX

AUTHOR OF "RAMPARTS OF EMPIRE""PEEPS AT THE BRITISH EMPIRE," "AUSTRALIA," AND "OCEANIA"

WITH 32 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR

LONDON
ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK
1914

v

PREFACE

In Switzerland, above all other lands of Europe, is the greatness ofNature manifest. But not even the Alps can overshadow the story of hergallant people. The Swiss are more interesting even than Switzerland.In this volume therefore—a volume intended to give the reader whocannot hope to see Switzerland some idea of its character, as well asto guide those who hope or intend to undertake a Swiss tour—anattempt has been made to give a brief sketch of the origins andachievements of the Swiss people, as well as to describe the naturalbeauties of the country. To a very remarkable extent the history ofSwitzerland has affected the general current of European history,partly through the courage of the mercenary soldiers that the Alpinecommunities sent abroad in olden times, partlyvi because alwaysSwitzerland has provided a house of refuge for political exiles fromother countries. The deeds of her people cannot but be interesting inevery land where European civilisation rules. They have the interestnot only of their essential heroism but of their near relation to thedevelopment of other countries.

No exhaustive record has been attempted. This volume cannot, for theserious student, serve either as a history of Switzerland, as adescription of the Swiss Alps, or as a record of those interestingliterary and scientific coteries which grew up beside the Swiss lakes.Its purpose rather is to give to the reader who cannot devote aspecial interest to the country some fairly adequate idea of itshistory, its character, and institutions. The illustrations have beenselected to give as comprehensive an impression as possible of thevarious beauties of Swiss scenery.

FRANK FOX.

vii

CONTENTS