Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/250

266 unions all over the country; they made collections, purchased materials, and made up warm garments for the defenders of the fatherland, who must go out to fight in the present bitter cold winter. I, too, set myself to knit a pair of mittens; but they were not finished before peace was established. Louis Napoleon mediated to the advantage of Switzerland. Switzerland was to retain Neufchâtel, which Canton was to become, in a still more intimate manner than formerly, a portion of the Swiss Confederacy. Ultra patriots, it is true, still cried out against the too great concession to Prussia, but the quieter and more prudent party throughout the country, were unanimous that the Federal government had done the wisest and best which was possible. The Swiss army was recalled from the frontiers, and the festivals of war were changed into festivals of peace. Te Deum was sung in the churches.

Thus began the new year of 1857. The Swiss Cantons resumed their life of tranquillity, the work of their railways, their common improvements, and—their petty quarrels.

By visits to the churches of different sects, by conversation with persons who were both in favor of and opposed to the established church, I endeavored to acquire an accurate knowledge of the relationship between the established church and the free churches, as well as of the relationship to the religious life in the heart of a people; and I came to the conclusion that both forms of ecclesiastical life are necessary in a state, if that life will attain to a condition of normal