BERN, capital of the above canton, is situated in lat. 46° 57' u., and long. 7° 26' e., on a lofty sandstone promontory, more than 1700 ft. above the sea, formed by the winding Aar, which surrounds it on three sides, and is crossed bytwo stone bridges, one of which is a magnificent structure, upwards of 900 ft. long, with a central arch 150 ft. wide and 03 ft. high. The fourth side wCs defended by fortifications, but these have been con verted into public walks. B. has an imposing appearance from a distance, and a nearer view discloses one of the best and most regularly built towns in Europe, as it is the finest in Switzerland. - The houses are massive structures of freestone, resting upon arcades, which are lined with shops, and furnish covered walks on both sides of the street. Rills of water flow through the streets, Which are also adorned with numerous fountains. There are many fine public promenades in the environs, and the view of the Alpine peaks from the city is magnificent. The principal public buildings are a Gothic cathedral, founded in 1421, with sonic interesting tablets and relics; a new and magnificent struc ture, designed to accommodate the Swiss diet awl administration; the mint, the heispital, and the university. B. has an interesting museum, and a valuable public library of 50,000 volumes. The manufacturing industry of 13. is not great—gunpov'der, firearms, leather, straw hats, and paper, are the chief articles. It has a considerab".3 trade in the
produce of the surrounding district. Pop. '70, 36,000. B. was founded by Berthold V., in 1191, who is said to have given it the name B., because he had killed a bear on the spot. A charter from Frederick H., in 1218. made it a free imperial city, and it gradu ally extended its possessions until it became an independent state; and between 1288 and 1339, resisted the attacks of Rudolf of Hapsburg, Albert his son, and Louis of Bavaria. When the French entered B. in 1798, they found 30,000,000 of francs in the treasury. The corporate property of B. Is very large—sufficient to defray all muni cipal expenses, provide the whole of the citizens with fuel gratis, and besides to leave a surplus for annual distribution among them. B. is the residence of foreign ministers; and since 1849, the permanent seat of the Swiss government and diet. Haller, the dis tinguished physiologist, was born at Bern. On account of the traditionary derivation of its name (old Suabian bern, a bear), bears have for several centuries been maintained in B. at the expense of the commnnity. The French. when they captured B. in 1798, took possession of the hears, and sent them to the Jardin des Plantes, Paris; but the Bernese have since secured other specimens of their favorite animals, which are one of the "sights" of the city.