Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/165

Rh Zürich on the market days, show very evidently what is their condition. The poor in the Canton Zürich, are in the proportion of one to thirty-five, whilst in Berne they are as one to ten. The Professor of Political Economy here, M. Cherbulliez, considers that this very different proportion is occasioned by the circumstance, that, in the Canton Berne the State is compelled to assist the poor, whilst here in Zürich, they are almost entirely aided by benevolent societies. The ladies of the city distinguish themselves by their judicious activity in these, devoting themselves especially to the children, to the old and the sick. Mathilda Ascher—the daughter of the great manufacturer—is spoken of by all the needy as an angel of goodness and mercy.

Amongst the benevolent institutions here, I have been especially interested with the lately-established Pfünd Institution, in which upwards of seventy men and women of the burger-class, receive a home and maintenance for their old age. I saw an aged couple here, who told me that this was now the happiest time of their life. Both were sixty-nine. She could scarcely speak for tears of joy. The fresh air, the beautiful view, the lovely grounds which surround the institution, all were evidences of the piety of the founder, and the good sense employed in the laying out of the place. I noticed that on the well-supplied dinner-table, a bottle of wine was placed for each person. The old folks are entertained three times a day with coffee. Long live the good who thus interest themselves in making old age happy! I have seen amongst the scientific institutions, the