THE REPUBLIC OF GENEVA.

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they should attempt to recover it. Since the Reforma-tion, however, Geneva has been strongly fortified byart: neither has nature been sparing in that particu-lar, as it is nearly encircled by the Rhone. An inha-bited island divides it into two branches, which commu-nicate with each other by means of four bridges. It isornamented with several fine churches, a tOAvn-house,library, arsenal, hospital, and several other buildingsof great beauty.

The mildness of the government of this small but re-spectable republic, induced a great number of personsof all ranks and nations to settle in it; many of Avhorn,by an extensive commerce, have greatly contributed to-Avards enriching and beautifying the capital. The re-vocation of the edict of Nantz, considerably augmentedthe number of its inhabitants, as the charitable and be-nevolent Genevans afforded a ready and friendly asylumto the unfortunate people Avho were so cruelly drivenfrom their homes, on account of their religious opinions.Prompted by gratitude for so kind a reception, the firstcare of these refugees was to instruct their benefactorsin various trades and manufactures, of which they beforewere ignorant. From this epoch, therefore, may be datedthe power, riches, and independence of the Genevans,whose flourishing circumstances enabled them to furnishlarge sums of money to France ; and although they suffer-ed consideraby by these generous proceedings, they conti-