fall near Shauffhausen. As Mr. Coxe stood on the crags of the northern shore, the principal objects were a high bridge, partly open, partly covered; a row of houses, with an old ruined castle, crowning a summit that overhung the water; a perspective of woods and meadows through the arcades of the bridge; and the river dashing over its craggy bed in a sloping cataract.

About half a mile below the fall they re-embarked; and found the waters still so much agitated that it required all the skill and dexterity of the pilot to prevent their little vessel being dashed against the shelving rocks. As they approached Basle, the stream became gradually more tranquil, and they landed, highly delighted with their expedition.

When we arrived at Basle, it was about noon, but our author was surprised to find that all the clocks in the town struck one. On enquiry, he was informed that they constantly go an hour faster than the real time, for which absurdity various reasons are assigned. One is, that during the council of Basle the clocks were put forward, that the lazy, indolent cardinals and bishops might arrive in time. Others maintain, that a conspiracy being formed to assassinate the magistrates at midnight, one of the burgomasters, who had notice of the design, advanced the townclock an hour; by which the conspirators, thinking they had missed the appointed time, were disconcerted and induced to retire; and as a perpetual memorial of this happy deliverance, the clocks were always kept in the same advanced state. The third, and last reason, is the most probable, that the sun-dial on the outside of the

choir of the cathedral, by which the clocks are regulated, not being properly set, occasions a variation from the true time of forty-five minutes.

However this may be, the inhabitants of Basle are so attached to this whimsical custom of getting the start of time, that though various attempts have been made to remove the absurdity, the people have constantly interfered to prevent an alteration; and as if they thought their liberties would be lost, should their clocks agree with those of the rest of Europe. Indeed, long established customs, however ridiculous or unconsequential, are apt to make strong impressions on vulgar minds. Even in England, it was long before the people could be persuaded to reckon the year according to the general mode of computation, received in the other nations of Europe.

Basle enjoys a delightful situation on the banks of the Rhine, near the point where that noble stream makes a sudden bend to the north. it consits of two towns, united by a long bridge. It stands very favourably for commerce, an advantage which the inhabitants have turned to good account, by establishing a number of manufactures, and carrying on an extensive trade.

The cathedral is an elegant Gothic pile; but strangely disfigured by a daubing of rose-coloured paint, spread over the whole edifice. It contains the ashes of several great and illustrious characters; among the rest, the venerable remains of Erasmus are deposited under a marble tomb..... Few men have done more honour to learning than Erasmus, or have met with more distinguished applause from impartial posterity.

obedience to the laws is administered to the citizens, in their respective tribes.

The meanest citizen is legally capacitated to be a member of the great council; and by the singular mode of election may possibly be chosen. All ranks of citizens, save the members of the university, are eligible to fill up vacancies. The whole mass of the people is divided into eighteen tribes, each of which appoint twelve delegates to the great council; and upon a vacancy, nominate six persons, one of whom is chosen by lot.

The reigning burgomaster, and the great tribune appointed to be the drawers of this official lottery, both at the same instant draw a ticket from two separate bags; and the candidate, whose name comes out at the same time with the ticket on which the employment is writen, obtains the post.

But it is not only councellors of state and the several magistrates that are chosen by lot; even the professors of the university are elected in the same manner. Hence it has happened that the chair of rhetoric has been assigned to a mathematician; and the professorship of anatomy to an admirer of the belles letters. The allotments are certainly ridiculous, and must tend to injure the credit of the university, not only in the eyes of the natives, but also of foreigners. Fortune in the distribution of her favours cannot possibly shew greater caprice than in similar instances.

The sumptuary laws are very strict at Basle. The use of carriages in the town is not indeed prohibited, as in some of the capitals of the confederacy; but no citizen is allowed to have a ser

vant behind his carriage. Laws of this kind may sometimes be carried to an extravagant length; but in small republics the principle is salutary.

So partial are the lower ranks to the enjoy ments of their own country, that they seem to think that true felicity is centered at Basle; and indeed the lower classes are no where more comfortable. Freedom is the equal lot of all, and the poorer are not tortured by the sight of luxury which they cannot reach, nor rendered miserable by an ostentatious display of wealth and grandeur. A happy simplicity of manners is universally prevalent; and it would excite a smile to enumerate all the articles which pass under the opprobrious name of luxuries.

In general the burghers sons receive an excellent education, which qualifies them for those offices which fortune may throw in their way. At the time our author was here, the treasurer was a baker, and had twice been appointed a candidate for the office of the great tribune.

The conduct of magistrates is no where more freely or severely canvassed than at Basle. Perhaps this privilege may be often extended beyond its proper limits; but it is the vital principle of liberty, not to controul it; and without this no free government can long survive. Restrain liberty of speech, and freedom is no more!

Basle is the largest, and seems once to have been the most populous of the Swiss towns. It is capable of containing one hundred thousand inhabitants, though now they are dwindled away to about fourteen thousand. The discouragements which foreigners are under, who are nei

ther permitted to carry on any commerce, nor to follow any trade, and the jealousy the citizens shew, to keep all power in their own hands, have been the principal causes to hasten the decline of the place. The magistrates, indeed, are sensible of the impolite restraints under which strangers labour; but large bodies of men are seldom actuated by such a generous spirit as to sacrifice personal and immediate advantages to the future welfare of the community.

During Mr. Coxe's stay at Basle, he was prompted by curiosity to visit the hospital and burying ground of St. James, not far from the town, near the small river Birs, celebrated for a desperate combat, in 1444, between the Swiss and the dauphin of France, afterwards Louis XI. Never was Swiss valour and intrepidity more signally displayed than on that memorable day. Fifteen hundred of them had the courage to oppose themselves to eight thousand of the enemy's cavalry; and though victory at last declared for the French, it cost them more than three times the number of their opposers.

Of the whole phalanx of the Swiss, only sixteen escaped from the field of battle; and these, in conformity to the old Spartan discipline, were branded with infamy, for not having sacrificed their lives in defence of their country. Among those who were desperately wounded, and left on the field of battle, only thirty-two were found alive. The names of many of these glorious patriots were carefully registered, and still remain on record.

Louis himself declared, that such another victory would ruin his army; and generously con