[24.] The soldier and his sword. In former times the Swiss frequently
served as soldiers in different European countries as a means of
earning a living. Many monarchs had Swiss guards for their personal
safety.

[25.] Sees no contiguous palace. The peasant now sees hotels, if not
palaces. The Swiss hotels, like the Swiss roads, are among the best in
the world.

[26.] Bred in ignorance and toil. Switzerland has at present, beside
lower schools, seven institutions of higher learning, five of which are
universities.

[27.] Savage, savage beast. Few of these can be found in Switzerland
now.

[28.] With many a tale, etc. Possibly the poet alludes to his own
experiences.

[29.] Such are the charms, etc. In this and the following lines the
poet paints a picture that has not for centuries been true of the Swiss
a people. Their principal cities have long been centers of refinement
and of intellectual activity.

[30.] Gestic lore, the art of dancing.

[31.] Thus idly busy, etc. The French peasant has always been noted
for his industry and economy. This picture was drawn before the French
revolution, when the lower classes were miserably poor and the nobles
reckless in their extravagance. France has now a remarkable system of