Goats browze upon the edge of the precipices, and their picturesque forms are seen to follow each other-Indian file, up and down, the loftiest Crags. But the cultivation of the farinaceous grains is here of such uncertain product, that Public Granaries are established in every Town, in which a Stock of Corn is regularly supplied by France and Holland, under express Treaties, stipulating a certain number of Soldiers-to be annually raised, out of the surplus population of a Country that is not capable of supporting the natural increase of its Inhabitants. The staple Commodity of Switzerland is Horned Cattle-for a Zone of rocky pasturage encircles the very foot of the Glaciers, Glaciers, and descends, with increasing luxuriance, into the shady Vales, watered by translucent Streams, which, flowing from icy sources, are then most plentiful, when the neighbouring Plains are parched with heat and drought. But the lucid spring is often impreg nated with tufo, whose tendency to concrete among the glands of the neck (aided perhaps by the concentrated heat, and stagnant evaporation of narrow Vallies) frequently produces wenny protuberances, and sometimes mental imbecility.-Now and then thundering Avalanches break, without warning, from overhanging brows, and bury, at once, beneath hills of snow, the tranquil Cottage, and the chrystal stream. These, These, however, are rare calamities. They must not be supposed to hinder the current of Common Life from gliding smoothly along the vale of domestic felicity since Misery is an intruding Beldame, whose prominent features force themselves upon the sight, while Happiness-like a retiring Maiden, must be courted to be seen. LETTER VI. Journey from Milan to Florence, across the Appenines. TRAVELLING in Italy may be per formed by Post, by Voiture, or by Procache; but this alternative, apparently so liberal, is nothing more than a choice of difficulties.-By Post you must have your own carriage, and put yourself under the direction of a travelling Lacquey-By Voiture you must take up with chance company, and be content to creep along at the rate of three miles an hour-By Procache you must trail forward, in a string of coaches till you reach fixed stages, though you should jumble every night till till bed time, and turn out every morning before day, fretted with scanty fare and sordid lodging. In your own carriage, as in that of the Vettorino, you run the risque of robbery and assassination, an inconvenience from which you are secured in the Caravan of the Procache, by a Guard of Soldiers allotted by the feeble Governments of Italy, for the protection of the Public Stages. For those who do not speak Italian, and are not in haste, the Voiture is the least exceptionable conveyance of the three: since the advantage of an Interpreter upon the road, and a Paymaster at the Inns, fully compensates an unpractised Stranger for the tedium of delay. The |