ly to oppose its passage. The road lay for a considerable length on the left side of the precipices, from which we beheld the struggles of the waters, and the tremendous succession of cascades which they formed. An abrupt precipice forbidding the continuance of the road on this side, a bridge of hardy construction led to the opposite mountain, which we ascended, till meeting with a similar obstruction, we crossed the stream again to the left. On one of these bridges, we halted to gaze upon the scene around us, and the yawning gulf below. The depth is so tremendous, that the first emotion, in looking over the bridge, is that of terror, lest the side should fall away and plunge you into the dark abyss; and it requires some reflection to calm the painful turbulence of surprise, and leave the mind the full indulgence of the sensations of solemn enthusiastic delight, which swell the heart, while we contemplate such stupendous objects. The name of this bridge, in the language of the country, is the Priest's leap; whether the holy man leaped over the gulf, or into it, is not remembered; but it is difficult to hear the story on the spot, without an involuntary shudder, or fancy yourself in perfect security. "The very place puts toys of desperation, SHAKSPEARE, The road up to the village of Wassen is highly romantic, and the views around are astonishing for their variety as well as beauty. You perceive, however, after passing the village, that you are advanced into a country where man is obliged to be continually at war with nature. On one side the mountain was stripped of its piny clothing to some extent, discovering, instead of dark green foliage, a bare rock and gravelly waste, interspersed with wrecks of trees. This, we were told, was the ravage of an avalanche. When whole forests of majestic height are swept away with irresistible fury, what means of defence can human force oppose to such mighty destruction? Men, however, live tranquilly amidst the danger, and build their houses in such positions, and after such a construction, that the enemy, even if he chances to take the direction of their habitations, may pass over them unhurt. Rocks, for the most part, are made their allies against these invasions from the snowy mountains; but even rocks, coeval with time, often yield to the terrible destruction. SECT. CXVII. MISS WILLIAMS. TRAVELS THROUGH ENGLAND IN 1782, IN WHICH THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ENGLISH ARE DESCRIBED, IN A LETTER TO A FRIEND, BY A LITERARY GENTLEMAN OF BERLIN. MEN are formed in England, as well as in other countries, by education; but this is very different in different nations. The taste of the English in their gardens, and in their mode of educating youth, resem. ble each other. They are fond of nature; they seek to assist, but are careful not to thwart or destroy her. This is the reason that the English approach the nearest to the title and dignity of man. The plan proposed by Montesquieu, formed to trammel slaves for ty rants, deserves universal contempt. Is man to be shaped by education for particular modes of government, or are governments to be adapted to the nature of man? In England the principles of the constitution are, like man, formed for freedom. The young rustic is told that he is free, and he feels it. Servile reverence for distinctions and titles is not so strongly inculcated on children here as in other countries. The poor are often heard to say, that "their shilling is worth as much as that of the rich." I have known instances, in some schools, of juries being formed of twelve scholars chosen from the rest to descide whether the accused was guilty or not guilty of the crim.e laid to his charge. By which they learn at an early period to value the privilege of being judged by their equals. Again, children are educated with less severity than in other countries. Many an Englishman has passed his childhood and youth without receiving a blow. In public schools, however, flogging is not totally laid aside, though it is the universal opinion that it serves more to harden than reform. This lenity may in some cases have pernicious effects, but it is a source of much good. I have frequently remarked that a young Englishman, notwithstanding the rude and unpolished manners of his boyish days, behaves, at the age of twenty-five or twenty-six years, with more courtesy, politeness, and propriety, than are generally to be found in other lands at the same age. They observe a happy medium between the affected freedom and insipid politeness of the French, and the restrained and embarrassed manners which many Ger mans, who think themselves men of education, betray in company. This more relaxed discipline is doubtless the chief cause of their free manner of thinking and acting, and the grand source of the solid sense which is more generally found here than elsewhere. Old and young are much more patient of reasonable opposition and they do not so frequently speak in a decisive tone. The great variety of religious and political sentiments, the diversity of sects and parties, to be met with, prevent childhood from being fettered by particular modes of thinking. Again, the education of children in different ranks of life is very similar. In public schools the children of the nobility and the commoners are upon a level; their food is simple, and in this respect little difference is to be found between the larger and the lesser schools. These particularities have a natural tendency to lessen the distinction between those in a more elevated and in an inferior station. One of the most striking and most universal marks. of the national character is the love of their country, or national pride. The Amor Patrie is common to all nations; but the English possess it in the highest degree, and the Germans perhaps in the lowest. I must, however, in justice to the Englishman, remark that he neither sets so high a value on his person, or his authority, as upon his being "born a Briton." This is directly contrary to the disposition of other people, and particularly of my own countrymen (the Germans,) who value themselves alone, and are only proud of mighty I, and seldom trouble their heads about the good opinion of their country. A true Englishman speaks of himself, his honours, and rank, with modest reserve; but of his country with enthusiasm ; whereas a German is chiefly enamoured of his own merits and titles. There are numberless instances of liberality, which, for the magnitude of the donations, and the manner of giving, excite astonishment. Subscriptions for the sup port of the distressed are no where so general and so ample. But these charitable deeds do not always proceed from the purest motives. Sometimes ostentation has a large share; sometimes national pride, which builds palaces for beggars, and wastes, in superfluous ornaments, sums that might have been better applied to extend the benefits of the institution; and sometimes private interest prompts individuals to propose new plans to the public. However, in every case where the public in general are convinced that the scheme promises utility, their suspicion of the motives does not prevent their giving it proper encouragement. The English are renowned for equity and sincerity; and my own experience witnesses in their favour. Villains and impostors may be found here in great abundance, as well as in other countries; but the nation, in general, deserves, in a distinguished manner, the praises due to integrity. Not only the spirit of the English laws breathes equity, but the manner in which the laws are administered indicates that neither opulence nor elevated rank can protect the great against the complaints of the poor and oppressed; while, on the other hand, the pri vate character of the lowest person, accused, is of the ut most advantage to him in every doubtful case. Sincerity marks their mutual intercourse. To strangers they are neither so loquacious, nor profuse of courtly promises, as many others; but they are not such unpolished clowns as the French often represent them on the public stage, under the title of John Bull. Their caution may be considered as a pledge to such as shall, after a more intimate acquaintance, obtain their confidence, and their subsequent unreserved and friendly behaviour proceeds from the heart. Indeed an Englishman has no motive to be a hypocrite. He may always think and speak according to his ideas of truth. In many parts of the world, thought is not perfectly free, and a man suspected of heresy in affairs of church or state is not always secure from the consequences. But here, thank God, not only the thoughts, but the tongue, the pen, and the press are free. I acknowledge that abuses are sometimes committed in consequence of the unrestrained freedom of the press; but after the observation of many years, I am confident that the advantages infinitely preponderate. The public is the dread tribunal before which every cause is judged. Every man is heard, and is free to vindicate his conduct. Had all lands such heralds, whose loud voice might awaken shame and fear; were the common people of every country equally eager to read the public papers; then would discord, oppression, bigotry, soon be banished from their borders, by a great majority of votes; and men that can read, and dare to write, would soon cease to be slaves. The English have an undoubted claim to the character of being courageous in common with other nations; however, they have certainly this advantage in their general character, they are the least fearful of death. Battles by sea and land evince this. Perhaps their land forces would distinguish themselves yet more, if promotions in the army were not to be purchased, but given as rewards to merit. Many examples of the contempt of death are to be found among those who are capitally convicted. The aged and in |