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“ Dura viris, et dura fide, durissima sede.”— Nolker le Bogue.
“ La Nature maratre, en ces affreux climats
Ne produit, au lieu d’or, que du fer et des soldats.
Tout son front herisse n’offre aux desirs de l’hommeRien que puisse tenter l’avarice de Rome.”— Zurlauben.
Resuming our route towards the Bernardino, we continue up the Val-Levantinetill we arrive at the bridge of the Moesa; then, turning to the right, and passingthrough Lumino and Monticello, cross the Grison frontier at San Yittore, and,entering the delicious valley of Misocco , ascend the course of the river, whichdivides it through its whole extent. A little beyond Roveredo are seen thecastles of Calanca and Grono —the former above Santa-Maria. Richness ofscenery and fertility of soil are strikingly associated in this valley, where, at smallpains, vintage and harvest yield their liberal treasures; and yet where the peasant,surrounded by luxury and abundance, seems poverty-stricken, and doomed towitness a prosperity in which he has small share. The pollente, or flour ofIndian corn, and chestnuts, are the chief articles of food among the lower classes.The chestnut cake, such as we have tasted it, is both palatable and wholesome ;while the chestnuts, simply roasted, serve as a good substitute for potatoes,which, in other cantons, enter so largely into the common diet. The corn andwine, though excellent in quality, are still insufficient for home consumption;but the natural resources are far from being employed to their full extent, and,under better management, might be made to double, in many instances, theirpresent supplies. Some of the peasants evince a degree of industry and per-severance which would acquire wealth and respectability for them in almost anyother situation; but the general character is, it must be confessed, a natural“ aptitude for indolence,” and a rooted indifference to what, on the opposite sideof the St. Gothard , are objects of unwearied industry and ambition. Both here,and among the Tessinese, the duties of religion are constantly interrupting ar.dcurtailing the duties of labour; and having early imbibed the doctrine, that thebusiness of the chapel is the chief business of life, industry is virtually discouraged,superstition promoted, and the indolent taught to expect from a punctiliousattendance at mass what they might earn in the field, or in the practice of any