New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-09
ATEUROPE- No. XXXIH.
LUCERNE TO BASLE.


BAsLE, July 10, 1851.
VEsy striking is the contrast between all
OF Switzerland had ,raversed. before reaching
I.ucerne, and the route thence 20 this place
From Como TO the middle OF Lake Lucerne Is
something over hundred miles, and IN all
thu, distance there was never so much as one
tenth Ct the land IN sight that could, By any pos
s,bility. be cultivated The narrow valleys,
when not TOO narrow, were arabic and generally
fertile. bu, they were shut IN on every side by
a,zzv precipices. by lofty mountains, often snow
crowned. and either wholly barren or with only
a few shrubs and stunted trees cllnglng 10 their
eiets and inequalities, because nothing else
could cling there. fortieth part OF these
mountain sides may have been so moderately
steep that soil could gather and lie on them, IN
which case they yielded fair pasturage for cat
tie, or at least for goats but nine-tenths OF their
superfcIes was utterly unproductive and inhos
pitable On the mountaln-tops indeed, there Is
sometimes a level space, but the snow monopo
lizes that Such is Switzerland from the Italian
frontier, where | crossed 1t TO the immediate
vicinity of Lucerne
Here all is changed 4 small but beautiful
river debouches from the lake at It's west end,
and the town is grouped around this outlet But
mountains here there are none-nothlng but nch
ylades and gently swelling hills, covered with
the most bounteous harvest, through which the
high road runs nOrth-easterly sixty miles to
Basic on the Rhine IN the northeast corner OF
Switzerland with Germany BADEN on the east
and France on the north. A single ridge, indeed,
ON this route presents a ragged cliff or two and
some nights dignifed with the title of noun
tains which seem a Joke TO one who has luSt
spent two days among the Alps.
Grass is the chief staple of tins fertile region,
but Wheat is extensively grown and IS Just be-
ginning to ripen. promising noble yield. Po-
ta,oes also are extensively planted and never
saw more vigorous growth. Rye, Oats and
Barley do well, but are little cultivated OF In
dian Corn there Is none, and the Vine. which
had gwen out on the Italian side some twenty
miles below the foot of St Gothard does not
come in again TILL we are close to the Rhine
But in its stead they have the Apple In proiu
sion--I think more Apple-trees between luceme
and the Rhine than | had seen In all Europe
beforehand they seem very thrifty, though this
years yield of fruit will be light There are
some other trees planted and many small thrifty
forests, such as had hardly seen before on the
Continent These increase as we approach the
Rhine There is hardly fence throughout
and generous crops OF Wheat, Potatoes, Rye,
Grass, Oats, &c, are growing close ap TO the
beaten road on either side. | don't exactly see
how Cattle are driven through such country,
having passed no drove since crossing Mount
ST. GOthard
The dwellings are generally large, low struc-
lures, with sloping, overhangng roofs, indicating
thrift and comfort. Sometimes the first story,
or at least the basement Is OF hewn stone, but
the greater part of the structure Is nearly always
Of wood. The barns are spacious, and built much
like the houses. have passed through no other
par, Of Europe evlnclng such general Thrift and
comfort as this quarter of Switzerland, and
Basic, already well built city, Is rapidly I'M
proving When the Railroad line from Paris to
Strasburg is completed, the French capital will
be but little more than twenty-four hours from
Basic, while the Baden line, down the German
side of the Rhine, already connects tins city ca
silly with all Germany, and is certain OF rapid
and indefinite extension. Basic, though quite a
town In CAESARS day. is renewing her youth