§ 36. THE GRISONS. 131
period is described pp. 139 sqq. Eichhorn was a Roman Catholic priest, and gives the documents relating to the episcopal see of Coire from A.i>. 700-1787. On "Zwinglianisms in Rietia," sec pp. 1-12, 140, 248. (I examined a copy in the Episcopal Library at Coire.)
II. General works on the history of the Grisons by Joh. Guler (d. 1637), FoRTUNATus Sprecher A Berxegg (d. 1647), FoRTUNATus Jdvalta (d. 1654). Th. von Mohr and Conradin von Mohr (or Moor): Arckiv fur die Geschichte der Republik Graubilnden. Chur, 1848-'86. 9 vols. A collection of historical works on Graubiinden, including the Codex diplomaiicus, Sammlung der Urkunden zur Geschichte Chur-Khdtiens und der Kepublilc Gi-aiibunden. The Codex was continued by Jecklin, 1883-'80. — CoxRADix vox Moor : Bibulnerische Geschichtschreiber und Chronisten.
. Chur, 1862-77. 10 parts. By the same : Geschichte von Curratien und der Republ. Graubiinden. Chur, 1869. — JoH. Andr. vox Sprecher: Geschichte der Kepublik der drei B'dnde itn J<5'«" Jahrh. Chur, 187o-'75. 2 vols. — A good popular summary: Graubiindnerische Geschichten erzdhlt fur die reformirten Volksschulen (by P. Kaiser). Chur, 1852 (pp. 281). — Also J. K. von Tscharxer : Der Kanton Graubiinden, historisch, statistisch, geographisch dargestellt. Chur, 1842.
The Reformation literature see in § 37.
III. On the history of Valtellina, Chiavenna, and Bormio, which until 1797 were under the jurisdiction of the Grisons, the chief writers are : —
Fr. Sav. Quadrio : Dissertazioni critico-storiche intorno alia Hezia di qua dalle Alpi, oggi delta Valtellina. Milano, 1755. 2 vols., especially the second vol., which treats la storia ecclesiastica. — Ulysses a'Ox Salis : Staats- Gesch. des Thais Veltlin und der Graflschaften Clefen und Worms. 1792. 4 vols. — Lavizari : Storia della Valtellina. Capolago, 1838. 2 vols. — ROMEGIALLI : Storia della Valtellina e delle gia contee di Bormio e Chiavenna. Sondrio, 18-34-'.39. 4 vols. — Wiezel : Veltliner Krieg, edited hy Hartraann. Strassburg, 1887.
The canton of the Grisons or Graubiinden^ was at the time of the Reformation an independent democratic republic in friendly alliance with the Swiss Confederacy, and continued independent till 1803, when it was incorporated as a canton. Its history had little influence upon other countries, but reflects the larger conflicts of Switzerland with some original features. Among these are the Romanic and Italian conquests of Protestantism, and the early recognition of the principle of religious liberty. Each congregation was allowed to choose between the two contending churches according to
1 Respublica Grisonum ; I Grigioni ; Les Grisons.
132 THE SWISS REFORMATION.
the will of the majority, and thus civil and religious war was prevented, at least during the sixteenth century.^
Graubiinden is, in nature as well as in history, a Switzerland in miniature. It is situated in the extreme south-east of the republic, between Austria and Italy, and covers the principal part of the old Roman province of Riitia.^ It forms a wall between the north and the south, and yet combines both with a network of mountains and valleys from the regions of the eternal snow to the sunny plains of the vine, the fig, and the lemon. In territorial extent it is the largest canton, and equal to any in variety and beauty of scenery and healthy climate. It is the fatherland of the Rhine and the Inn. The Engadin is the highest inhabited valley of Switzerland, and unsurpassed for a combination of attractions for admirers of nature and seekers of health. It boasts of the healthiest climate with nine months of dry, bracing cold and three months of delightfully cool weather.
The inhabitants are descended from three nationalities, speak three languages, — German, Italian, and Romansh (Romanic), — and preserve many peculiarities of earlier ages. The German language prevails in Coire, along the Rhine, and in the Prattigau, and is purer than in the other cantons. The Italian is spoken to the south of the Alps in the valleys of Poschiavo and Bregaglia (as also in the neighboring canton Ticino). The Romansh language is a
1 The Grisons are ignored or neglected in general Church histories. Even Hagenbach, who was a Swiss, devotes less than two pages to them (Geschickte der Reformation, p. 366, 5th ed. by Nippold, 1887). A fuller account (the only good one in English) is given by Dr. McCrie, a Scotch Presbyterian, in his History of the Reformation in Italy, ch. VI. The increasing travel of English and American tourists to that country, especially to the Engadin, gives wider interest to its history, and may justify the space here given to it.
2 Rmtia or Rhatia, a net, is derived from Rhcetus, the mythical chief of the oldest immigrants from Etruria, or from the Celtic rhin, Rhine, river, and survives in the names Realta, R/idziins, and Reambs, i.e. Rcetia alta, una, and ampla. It was conquered under Augustus by Drusus, 14 b.c, and ruled by a governor at Coire or Curia Rh(ctorum till c. 400. The ivy-clad tower of the episcopal palace of Coire is of Roman origin, and is called Marsocl, i.e. Mars in oculis.