Once upon an Alp [antikvár]

PrefaceWatches the Swiss export to all parts of theworld; humorists they have to import. I feel pro-found admiration for Eugene V. Epstein that hewas brave enough to consent - indeed: he waseager - to be imported to Switzerland as a hu-morous writer.Few people understand the reasons, but I do be-cause I happen to know his birthplace, LongIsland, U. S. A. He alleges - and as he is the soulof veracity I must believe him - that Long Islandwas a peaceful and charming place when he wasborn there. Well, everything is possible. Todayit is part of Suburbia, a mess of ugly houses, a seaof pomposity, self-satisfaction and neurosis. Sohe packed his suitcase and fled. Originally a mu-sic critic, he found himself in Switzerland, theland of yodelling and of the Alphorn. Such an ex-perience is likely to turn anyone into a humorist;if, on top of it all, somebody spends two yearsworking for the American Military Intelligence,the result is inevitable. Mr. Epstein started laugh-ing at the world and has not stopped ever since.I have deep sympathy for Mr. Epstein, as I havehad my own encounters with the Swiss sense ofhumour at its most terrifying. A few years ago Iwas asked by a Swiss organisation to make a sa-tirical, leg-pulling film on Switzerland. I warned7