Sketcher.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 4140, 29 September 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

Sketcher.

moresnec. Ninety-nine readers out of a hundred bare perhaps never heard the name of Moresnet ; yet it is an independent slate, standing in its own grounds of rather belter than three square miles and numbering abont 2,000 inhabitants. By the side of Moresnet, the Republic of Andorra is a great Power and the Principality of Monaco a gigantic empire. The 2,000 inhabitants of Moresnet live under tha paternal rule of a sovereign who contents himsolf with the modest title of Burgomaster; be is, however, as absolute a monarch in his way, as the Czar. It must be admitted that the territory of Moresnet is an anomaly in the political system; and it is not surprising that its immediate neighbors, big Germany and little Belgium have lately been animated by a desire to cut the miniature State in two and "go halves, 1 ' after pursuing a policy of non-intervention for 71 years. At the last moment and when the work of partition seemed about to begin, a difference of opinion arose and now Moresnet is safe — for the present.

This comparatively unknown state is situated midway between Verviers and Aix-la-Cbapc-llc, in a beautiful valley, watered by a correspondingly tiny river, bearing the terrible name of I-a Gueuie (The Jaw), and running into a lake, oversriadowed by an Old castle said to date from tbe time of Charlemagne. There are zinc mines in the district, worked by the Societe de la Vieille Montagne. In ISIS, when the map of Europe was re-arranged, the frontiers of Prussia and Belgium were settled. No difficulty presented itself until the new map-maker* came to the zinc m : ue wbicb was claimed by both countries. ~End\cs9 pourparlers ensued, but nothing came of them. Both States had equal rights ; but in tbose days Prussia did not solve problems by force, and Morcsnet waa allowed to remain nuutral, independent territory. Since the Waterloo year the material aspect of things has greatly cnano;cd. Only a few hovels formerly surrounded the mines, but to-day the land is well cultivated and productive. The fifty mean buildings of 1815 have become 800, some of which are large warehouses stored with agricultural produce. For form's sake Belgium and Prussia nominate a Commissioner charged with the settlement of any difficulty which may crop up. Tbe representative of Belgium is M. Cramer, Honary President of the Verviers Law Court, and he has discharged the light duties pertaining to his office of Commissaire for upward of forty years. Happy folk of neutral Moresnetl Tbey bare no taxes to pay for the military protection of their toy country, and know nothing whatever of elections and electioneering. There are no "parties," no political struggles, simply because no one has a vote. The ten councillors of Moresnet are nominated by the Burgomaster ; there is no objection to the men of his choice and the Couucil meetings are invariably characterized by the utmost unanimity. When an ambitious native wants to be made Burgomaster he goes off to interview the Prussian and Belgian Commissioners, shows them '' what he is worth," runs thror.gb the catalogue of his qualifications and if the two representatives of the Powers agree, as tbey usually do, our friend is appointed Burgomaster for life. There have been in all five Burgomasters of Moresnet. Tbe present holder of the office is M. Schmetz, who has presided over the destinies of the little State for the last two years. Tue Burgomaster is emphatically "a good sort " — robust, stout, rud-Jy of cbeek, occupying a pvetty bouse, with a lovely view. His Worship will take pleasure in showiug you tbe land register (cadastre) and the Council Chamber, containing the portraits of his predecessors ; aud when his official day is over he betakes himself to the little Wirthschaft, dignified by the title of casino in_tbe arbor of which he drinks bis ohopeas he contemplates tbe waters of the lake- in front of him. Here he is generally joined by his deputy, an old doctor, as " chirpy " as the Burgomaster himself, with any quantity of stories at his fingers' ends. If only all statesmen resembled M. Schmetz and bis worthy adjoint, what a pleasant game politics would be to play at, to be sure 1 The initiative in everything rests with the Burgomaster, who reminds one of tbe sovereigns of vioyen age dispensing justice from un.ler a tree. The legal code in operation is that of 1814 ; tbe innovations, improvements, and modifications introduced into the judicatures of Prussia, Holland and Belgium since that date are so much waste paper for Moresnet. With 12 000 francs (£480) of revenue Moresnet keep its highways in repair, supports its schools and pays its armed foree — composed, let us add, of one individual, who is both general and soldier. This militaire wears a uniform and Prussian cap. ornamented with tbe Moresnet cockade, and is generally to be found at the Cafe des Carbiniers, to the pardens whereof the bourgeois of Aix la-Chapelle resort on Sunday to make merry over the rather insipid white wine of the country. The expense attending religious ministrations in Moresnet is borne by the Societe des Mines. Moresnet has never evinced a desire to hide its light under a bushel, but endeavors, by means of frequent fetes, to attract the people who are so unfortunate as to reside outside its boundaries. There are two musical societies and there is always a dance going on. CouW the Burgomaster only discover a mineral source, his happiness and that of the people over whom he presides would be complete ; meantime, he watches with satisfaction the artificial manufacture of those medicinal waters which the soil has up to now resolutely declined to furnish. His Worship has one other ambition — he would like to see Moreßnet possess its own postage stamp.

The Skjaeggedalfoss.— Wandering in tbe Hardanger liord is an endless enjoyment, and, for all the stabs of the Englishman who wanted us just to "look at it," we found that we were doing it more leisurely than other people, and giving up so much time to it that Summer would be leaving us before we were ready to leave tbe fiords and drive acros3 country in carrioles. From Elde at tbe end of the Graven fiord we had one last look at tbe lovely Hardauger, and drove up past an enchanting lake, the Gravensand, to the valley where the Skjervefoss tumbles and roars. Along the Gravenßand the road clings to tbe base of the cliffs that rise abruptly from the water, and in one place the road « blasted in under tbe over-banging rock, and a shed roof carries off tbe spray and side stream of a little fall that there takes a leap into the lake. As tbe valley narrows the tremendous walls grow in height as they approach under the narrow amphitheatre at the end, the Skjervefoss take its long plunge and then dashes down in snowy cataracts and a swift stream to the lake beyond. The p-/St road tbat climbs and clings to the walls of the narrow valley, crosses tbe falling stream by stone arches, and finally reaches the higher valley beyond, is a marvel of engineering skill, and but for seeing the wonderful zigzags and windings one could not believe it possible to lead a highway along that nearly perpendicular wall. The valley was full of pictnresquenesa on tbe ideal, sunny, Summer day tbat we took a second turn through it, and in every hay field and all along tbe roadside were groups of the country people at work with scythes and grass hooks and rakes. Tbe women gave the proper touch to these bucolic pictures by wearing tbe white blouses and gay red or green bodices of tbe old Hardauger costume, and each group was a better model for a painter than the last one. These sturdy Hardanger women were turning the bay and laying it on tbe high racks to dry, for in the, Hardauger it rained on every day of tbe month of July, and August has been but little better. All their hay is cured in this way on racks, and as soon as tbe grass is cut the poles and cross pieces are set up and the (ZTRSB Rpread on it so as to shed tbe rain while it slowly dries.

Chair Tidy— lf you have soiled whf * Spanish or cacbemire lace, do not throw it aside as worthless, tor it may be colored with some of the dyes now to be found in small packages. The lace may then be used in a g- eat many ways. Oneway ill to. trsn edge of tidies made of strips of ribbon and iace, or of ribbon and velvet, or of tbote novelties fo) the backs of chairs made of a •trip of plaiu :*llk Dla«#(J oo ewft udt o( I