A BEAUTIFUL SWISS CUSTOM.
The horn of the Alps is employed in the mountainous districts of Switzerland, not solely to sound the cow call, but for another purpose solemn and religious.
As soon as the sun has disappeared in the valleys, and its last rays are just glimmering on the snowy summits of the mountains, the herdsman who dwells on the loftiest, takes his horn and trumpets forth “Praise God, the Lord!”
All the herdsmen in the neighborhood take their horns and repeat the words. This often continues a quarter of an hour, while on all sides the mountains echo the name of God. A solemn stillness follows, every individual offers his secret prayer on his bended knees, and with uncovered head. By this time it is quite dark. “Good night!” trumpets forth the herdsman on the loftiest summit. “Good night!” is repeated on all the mountains from the horns of the herdsmen and the clefts of the rocks.