children of indigent parents. There is no class of vagrant or destitute children which the system fails to reach; even to those too poor to obtain proper food and clothing, both public and private assistance are freely rendered. The obligation resting upon the Confederation to see that the Cantons meet the constitutional requirements has so far not been supplemented by any federal legislation, prescribing the method of such enforcement, or imposing any penalties for disregard of the law. Certain Cantons having failed to do their duties in this respect, the Federal Assembly in 1882 instructed the Federal Council to take steps to insure a general compliance with the provisions of the constitution. The Council proposed the creation of a Federal Department of Public Instruction, with a number of inspectors, whose duty it would be to enforce the law. So soon as the Assembly submitted this suggestion in the form of a federal law, nearly two hundred thousand citizens demanded its subjection to the _Referendum_ (30,000 was sufficient to do so), and upon the taking of the popular vote, it was rejected by the extraordinary majority of 146,129. It was an indignant protest against what was regarded as an attempted interference with their local home-government of the schools. Therefore the details of school administration, organization, and inspection still remain in the hands of the educational department of each Canton. In some Cantons inspectors are appointed by the educational department; in others, it is voluntarily conducted by a board composed chiefly of professional men,--pastors or persons of influence. These inspectors decide as to the course of studies, the books to be used, and act as a sort of tribunal to hear and decide all controversies that may arise between the teachers and the local authorities. As a rule, women are not eligible as school inspectors. Every Commune, in addition to the inspectors, has a school commission, elected by the communal assembly. They are charged with providing sufficient school accommodation, and keeping the buildings in repair; also to visit the schools and see that any suggestions made by the inspector have been properly carried out. The Commune provides the sites for the school buildings, and these are erected at the joint expense of the Commune and Canton. Great attention is given to the construction of these school-houses, as to their comfort and convenience; the windows must face the east or southeast, and the benches so arranged that the light falls upon the pupil’s left hand. Then there is sure to be a large and grassy plot for the children’s play-ground, with a fountain of pure water on it, shady trees, and all the accessories for athletic exercise. The school-house is the most commodious, modern, and handsome edifice to be seen in a Swiss town. One may look in vain for the court-house and town-hall, but on the most central and costly site is the school-house,