The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-21
MT Bennett's LETTER. rom Europe.
Foor OF Mosr BLANC. 9th Aug, 1874

Foor OF MoNT BLANC, 9th Aug, 1886
Here we are al the foot of the eternal glaciers of
Mont Blanc, after a journey of several weeks
from London, passing through Belgium-coming
up the Rbne-visiting Wiesbaden, Baden Baden,
and all the other German watering places where
kings, princes, players, painters, and pickpockets
mix AL Familiarity together In the hurry and
hustle OF preparing to cross the Alps into Italy for
few weeks, it is impossible to give any descrip-
uon OF The curious men, women, and things we
nave seen IN our delightful tour through Germany
and Switzerland. Mrs. B. has Just started 10
ascend The 1IontGuvert Green Peak) 10 get view
OF the merde-glacs, Ocy sea), and sees the highest
peaks and glaciers OF Mont Blanc. doubt
whether she will 10 far, so steep, preclpitous and
irightful it appears. Around them is hustle of
travellers, English, Irish, French, Germans,
guides, horses, donkes, mules, SC, sc. Such is
the appearance of the beautiful village of Cha
mount, at the foot of Mont Blanc.
have much to say of the German watering
Paces-ther curious state of society-ther amuse-
ments-their singular mixtures ofprince and ped
lar--thc If gambling houses, open day and night,
Sunday included. These singular places of fash
ionable resort are crowded by English of all ranks
probably 100000 English spend SIC, OOO, 900 an
style of society, totally different from their own
country. The Russian nobility also flock to these
watering places-and few travellers sometimes
from the United States are discovered, like gems
in hay-stack. A Russian Princess, covered with
diamonds and lace, expressed her utter astonish-
ment one evening ia Baden Baden, at the singu-
lar wilderness of our complexion She had al.
ways supposed that all the Americans were per-
'ectly black.
have taken full notes of the state of society at
the German, French and Swiss watering places,
and will give full and curious description of
these places of resort, in contrast with those at
Saratoga, and others in the United States. They
have features very different from ours-some-
times better, sometimes worse. I must postpone
this account till return to Paris.
During our tour we have met with but few
Americans l understand from the hotel keepers,
that there have not been many American travel
lers since the revulson of 1897 Before that took
place, in one ofthe hotels in Geneva, the Hotel des
B-rgues, about fifty to seventy would sometimes
sit down 10 dinner on the same day We have
fallen in with only two American families, and
have seen the records OF probably three or four
others / have seen the name of John Harper
and family, from New York, at the various hotels
and also on the records of the one here.
Sitting down at the foot OF Mont Blanc, seems
to excite similar emotions to those feel at the
foot Of the Falls of Niagara. They are both SUBJ
lime-both excite the like emotions-both speak,
as it were, from the womb of eternity to the in
nermost recesses of the soul. The first view !
had Of this mighty mass was terribly magnificent;
it was last evening, from the bridge Of st. Mar.
tins, twelve miles from the base of the mountain
Its magnificent peaks, towering far above the
clouds, were shining in the evening sun, clear
white, cold, and awful The sight came so sud-
ded!y, so unexpectedly upon me at the turn ofthe
road, that it made me start back in awe, wonder,
or fear. t was singular feeling, and can only
be paralleled by those produced by the terrible
rush of Niagara Falls
have many things to say of the singular tran
sition state of society, government, religion, &C.,
throughout those portions of Europe which have
seen, but shall reserve them till we return to
Paris. Steam, electricity, railroads, commerce,
and common sense are making vast and mighty
changes in Europe. was not asked for pass
port from London to Geneva, and yet passed
through half dozen kingdoms, and principalties
of all sizes. The greatest of revolutions h IS be-
gun-a revolution of peace, caused by railroads,
&c. Ihave much to say of these matters at ano-
Their time.
AFFAIRS IN CALIFORNIA We have received
from our attentive correspondent, several inte-
resting letters from California. They are not
quite so late as those received at Washington,
but they will prove interesting to our readers.
We shall publish them in day or two.
The following notice attached to one of the
dispatches we give to day.
Died in the town Of Sonoma San Francisco. Cslifor
MIA, on the 9th of May, 1896 Capt william Smith, aged
70 years He born in Prince George county, Vir-
ginia was for many years North West trader from
the vessels this coast belonging to Messrs Bryant
surges, OF Boston, their captains having orders
ceive him as passenger from ship ship, year after
year, as they arrived. The old man, although having