a kind of itinerant cowkeeper in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Appenzell. These men do not grow so much hay themselves as they require for their cattle during the winter season, and some of them have no grass lands at all. To supply this deficiency, they employ agents throughout the canton, who are to inform them where good hay may be obtained, which farmers made it in favourable weather, &c. and then the Senn, or the great cowkeeper, who is in want of fodder, makes his agreements for the winter with the wealthier farmers, to whom he successively drives his cattle as soon as they return from grass. Thus the itinerant Senn, with his cows, often visits five different places during the winter season. He who sells the hay furnishes the Senn not only with stabling for his beasts, but boards and lodges him as well as his whole family. In return, the Senn, besides paying the stipulated price for the hay, allows to his host as much milk, whey, and sugar (a kind of lean cheese) as may be used in the house, and leaves him also the manure of his cows. In the middle of April, when Nature revives, the Senn again issues forth with his herd to the meadows and fertile Alps, which he rents for the summer. Thus the life of these men is a constant migration, affording the most pleasing variety, and blesting them with health, content, and cheerfulness; but they had not been then cursed with French fraternity.

Fine cattle are the pride of the cowkeeper who inhabits the Alps—but, not satisfied with their natural beauty, he will likewise please his vanity. He adorns his best cows with large bells suspended from broad thongs; and the expense in such bells is carried even to a luxurious excess. Every Senn has an harmonious set of at least two or three bells, chiming in with the famous *rams der wacher* (a). The inhabitants of the Tyrol bring a number of such bells, of all sizes, to every fair kept in the canton of Appenzell. They are fixed to a broad strap, neatly pinked, cut out, and embroidered; which is fastened round the cow's neck by means of a large buckle. A bell of the largest size measures upwards of a foot in diameter, is of an uniform width at top, swells out in the middle, and tapers towards the end. It costs from forty to fifty gilders; and the whole peal of bells, including the thongs, will sometimes be worth between 140 and 150 gilders, while the whole apparel of the Senn himself, when best attired, does not amount to the price of twenty gilders. The finest black cow is adorned with the largest bell, and those next in appearance have two smaller. These ornaments, however, are not worn on every day, but only on solemn occasions, viz., when, in the spring, they are driven up the Alps, or removed from one pasture to another; or when they descend in the autumn, or travel in the winter to the different farms, where their owner has contracted for hay. On such days, the Senn, even in the depth of winter, appears dressed in a fine white shirt, of which the sleeves are rolled up above the elbow; neatly embroidered red braces keep up his yellow linen trowsers, which reach down to the shoes; a small leather cap, or hat, covers his head; and a new milk bowl, of wood skilfully carved, hangs across the left shoulder. Thus arrayed, the Senn precedes singing the *rams der wacher*, and followed by three or four fine goats; next comes the handsomest cow with the great bell; then the two other cows with smaller bells; and these are succeeded by the rest of the cattle walking one after another, and having in their rear the bull with a one-legged milking stool hanging on his horns; the procession is closed by a *trameau*, or fledge, on which are placed the implements for the dairy. It is surprising to see how proud and pleased the cows talk forth when ornamented with their bells. Who would imagine that even these animals are sensible of their rank, nay, touched with vanity and jealousy? If the leading cow, who hitherto bore the largest bell, be deprived of her honours, she very plainly manifests her grief at the disgrace, by lowing incessantly, abstaining from food, and growing lean. The happy rival, Sennscha, on whom the distinguishing badge of superiority has devolved, experiences her marked vengeance, and is buttressed, wounded, and persecuted by her in the most furious manner; until the former either recovers her bell, or is entirely removed from the herd. However singular this phenomenon may appear, it is placed beyond all doubt by the concurring testimony of centuries.

The cows, when dispersed on the Alps, are brought together by the voice of the Senn, who is then said to allure them (*locken*). How well the cattle distinguish the note of their keeper appears from the circumstance of their hastening to him, though at a great distance, whenever he begins to hum the *rams der wacher*. He furnishes that cow which is wont to stray farther with a small bell, and knows by her arrival that all the rest are assembled.