"Petit Paradis"
When the Englishman William Coxe crossed the border at Schaffhausen in the summer of 1776, he felt transported to another world - you too can get to know Switzerland of that time through the eyes of the traveler in a new, occasionally cheerful way.
Johannes Ruff after Enderle, Hôtel de la Chûte du Rhin à Neuhouse prise de Schaffhouse, c. 1833-1838, coloured aquatint.
"The Thing About Cleanliness"
Today's travelers repeatedly remark on how "terribly clean" Switzerland is. For the German garden theorist Christian Cay Lorenz Hirschfeld, who undertook a trip to Switzerland in 1783, the reason for this was obvious: cleanliness was "a part of the national character".
Martin Trachsler (publisher), Rigi-Kulm, c. 1820-1825, outline etching and aquatint, colored.
"Most Expensive Spot in Europe"
Back in 1800, travelers were already rubbing their eyes in amazement at the prices in Switzerland. No wonder, then, that Johann Gottfried Ebel devoted a chapter in his travel guide to the question of "why it is more expensive in this country than in many other countries" and warned of the "influence of the high commanding tone on the bill".
Johann Jakob Meyer, Vue prise de l'auberge du Corbeau à Zurich, 1810, colored outline etching.
"The Expensive Franc and Tourism"
When it came to food in particular, travelers had to dig deep into their wallets. To save costs, Johann Gottfried Ebel gave them the tip not to order meals to their room. Meanwhile, a geographical handbook published in Prague in 1809 explained why the cost of meals in Switzerland was so high.
Johann Hürlimann after Gabriel Mathias Lory, Le Passage de la Wengernalp, from: Voyage pittoresque de l'Oberland bernois, 1822, colored aquatint.
"The Price of Federalism"
In addition to the high prices, there was another annoyance: the losses due to the numerous currency exchanges. These were necessary because there was no standardized currency in Switzerland at the time. Coinage was a matter for the cantons.
Niklaus Sprüngli, Vue de Leijssigen et du Lac de thun dan Le Canton de Berne, around 1775, colored outline etching.
"Grüzi Wohl! - Language Barriers in the Alps"
The language of the Swiss may have been as confusing as their monetary system. Even to German ears, "Schwyzerdütsch" is known to be a strange, incomprehensible language - around 1800 it was no different. Johann Gottfried Ebel remedied this by including a 13-page "Short collection of peculiar expressions of the Swiss dialect" in his travel guide.
Johann Heinrich Bleuler, Vue de Gais fameux Bourg dans le Canton Appenzell Rhode exterieure, around 1785, colored outline etching.
"Paintings, Copper Engravings"
If we take a look at Ebel's collection of words, we can see that a lot has changed in Swiss dialect since then and yet much has remained the same: while "Luegen" was not just a verb back then, the eyes were also called "die Luegen", other terms are still exactly the same today: "z'Morgenesse" still means breakfast, and "z'Nachtesse" means dinner.
Johann Gottfried Ebel, Anleitung, auf die nützlichste und genussvollste Art die Schweitz zu bereisen, 2 parts, Zurich: Orell, Gessner & Comp, 1804-1805 (© ETH-Bibliothek Zurich).
"Where Milk and Chocolate Flow"
In Ebel's "Swiss Expressions", you will search in vain for a term with which Switzerland is inextricably linked today: chocolate. Chocolate only became an export hit in the late 19th century. Swiss cheese, on the other hand, was already highly traded in the 18th century.
Gabriel Ludwig Lory, Chute du Giessbach au Bord du Lac de Brientz, from: Recueil de paysages suisses dessinés d'après nature, 1797/98, colored outline etching.
"A Visit to Bacchus"
In addition to its delicious cheese, Switzerland was also known for its excellent wine. According to the German travel writer Christoph Meiners, many a man was said to have lost his skin after drinking a few glasses.
Johann Georg Volmar, Paysan de Morat, from: Nouvelle Collection de Costumes Suisses, 1805, colored outline etching.
"A Land of the Happy"
Swiss farmers were among the happiest in the world. The unanimous opinion was that their happiness was not primarily based on the accumulation of material wealth, but on not being oppressed or squeezed out by the authorities.
Johann Peter Lamy, Baptême dans le Canton de Berne, around 1825, outline etching and aquatint, colored.