I. A Central And The Smallest Canton Of Switzerland

A Central And The Smallest Canton Of Switzerland, bordering on Zurich, Schwytz, Lucerne, and Aargau; area, 92 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 20,993, nearly all Catholics and speaking German. It is mountainous in the southeast and level in the southwest, and is famous for its orchards and cattle. The N. part of the lake of Zug is in this canton, and the S. part in Schwytz. It is about 1,400 ft. above the level of the sea, 8 m. long and from 1 to 3 m. broad, and navigable for steamers; the banks are low or gradually sloping hills, except on the south, where the precipices of the Rigi, which is between Lakes Zug and Lucerne, in conjunction with the more distant Mt. Pilatus, present a picturesque panorama. At the S. E. corner of the lake is the Rufi or Rossberg, 5,200 ft. high. In the S. E. part of Zug is the small lake of Egeri, nearly 2,400 ft. above the sea, with romantic scenery. On its shores, on the confines of Zug and Schwytz, is the site of the battle of Morgarten, where in 1315 the Swiss conquered their independence. The Lorze, an outlet of this lake, drains the canton, passes through the lake of Zug, and finally flows into the Reuss. Zug was the seventh canton admitted into the confederation, in 1352. It joined the Sonderbund founded in 1843, and sided with the Catholics in all subsequent contests.

The constitution of 1848 is more democratic than the former ones. The great council consists of 67 members, five of whom are chosen by that body, and the rest by the people. The executive council consists of 11 members.

II. A Town (Anc. Tugium)

A Town (Anc. Tugium), capital of the canton, at the N". E. end of Lake Zug, 15 m. S. of Zurich; pop. in 1870, 4,279. It is situated at the foot of the Zugerberg and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. It has old walls, an arsenal, a college, and a library. The church of St. Michael, in the outskirts, has a fine cemetery.