that if any diſſenſions ſhould ariſe between the cantons, his majeſty ſhould, at the requeſT of one of the parties, interpoſe his mediation by all gentle means to bring about a reconciliation: but if theſe ſhould fail, he ſhould compel the aggreſſor to fulfil the treaties between the cantons and their allies. As this article was manifeſtly incompatible with that independence which republicans ought to value above all things, it has been wiſely omitted in the new treaty; and it would have become the dignity of the Swiſs character to have renounced equally thoſe penſions, which are called Argents de Paix et d'Alliance, as inconſiſtent not only with a republican ſpirit, but with that equality which ought to be the foundation of an alliance.
LETTER XIV.
LUCERNE.
My dear Sir,
THE canton of Lucerne comprehends a country of ſixteen leagues long and eight wide, containing fifteen bailiwicks, beſides ſeveral cities, abbays, monaſteries, ſeigniories, &c. The inhabitants are almoſt wholly engaged in agriculture, and the exportation of their produce. Their commerce might be greatly augmented, as the river Reuſs iſſues from the lake, paſſes through the town, and falls into the Rhine.
The city contains leſs than three thouſand ſouls, has no manufactures, little trade, and no encouragement for learning: yet the ſovereign is this ſingle city, and the ſovereignty reſides in the
