The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-20
LOCAL MATTERS,


the Hottest in Europe, called the backbone of the
c)ntnant and running in semi circular form nearly
$50 miles in length and /, 90 to 80 feet in width.
They attained their greatest height along the south
eastern line OF Switzerland, and it was to these
mountains that Switz erland owed the sublimity and
diversified beauty of its scenery, and these, per-
haps, they possessed in greater degree than any
other country upSn the globe. They were not in
| a continuous elevation, but possessed peaks that
averaged from 5000 to 600 feet in height most of
which were covered with perpetual snow and ice.
All Of the Sc peaks wera designated By name. The
names were very peculiar, and as White Monk,"
Sc Black Monk" "V:rgin, ""Wethe r-horn, ""Alarm-
! horn, and White Mountain" Many of the val
leys were filed up with towering feds of ice called
| glaciers. As an instance of the view from these
| PEAKS, the view from Mount Rgon alone, which
WINS by no mea rs The Highest leak, overlooked q
| distance of $50 miles, IA lakes and number of
villages. The views from these peaks were sub
blime. The lecturer hare recited some verses from
| L gers and Byron dCsci ptiye of the grandeur Of
| these views.
| Mr.. N then proceeded to describe the character
! of Tia roads and modes OF travelling. The roads
were very expensive of construction and exhibited
the meet skiul engineering in taer building. They
did NOS actually pass over the gummts OF the high
est peaks, but they passed through valleys and
crags, and along the sides of ghastly chasns and
| fearful precipces. Many OF the roads hung out
| ike terraces along the wall. The roads run in
zig Gag AID circular manner over and around
mountains 30 that at times orange dropped from
tnc coach travelling On the road at the upper part
| the mountain, would fall On the road at a dis.
tanoe OF miles below. Many OF the N ore elevI-
ted roads were very dangerous of passage. These
| led from canton to another. On these roads
were located large black poles like telegraph poles
| thst served ss guides, reaching above the deep
SHOWS ard pointing out the line of travel. The
kind Of poles for the sne purpose the speak.
| or the Granular Hills, in Scotland. Many
parties Of pleasure met with, travelling over
these mountains. Many lad. were in these par
! ties who, doubtless, were very bod and romantic
but they usually got lid of these feelings before
climbing tie Alps very far. The English ladies'
we're the most bed travellers, often riding where
gentlemen were afraid, bu. who hid their fear be-
meath the excuse, that by walking they would get
better vitWs Horses very sure footed in this
mode Of travel. The guides always directed ira
vaIera 70 let the horses 60 their own way which
they smell out The saddles were usually very
strong and satisfy secured to the horses Sedan
Chairs ard donkeys were also used in travelling
Each traveller thai went on foot had an Alpine
stock, or stick about six feet ia length, with a
sharp iron point at one end, 80 that by digging it
into tle snow and ice ascending, ons could pole
themselves up ana descend in tbs same manner
only pushing the stock forward. The guides in
these passes were paid By government, and could
be found attuc entrance Of the Alps in crowds, Of
te!lng their services and besetting the traveller
like baggage masters al the railway stations.
The great lion Of Al pine travelling was an ava
lanche AID tho guides relieve the tedium Of ira
yelling, would, to the travellers sore fright mis-
chevously give forth prognostications OF sns ap-
sroachng. In addition they would sing, narlate
traditions anu do anything to maks time pass
asrecsbly There were various places On the road
called hospiees kept by monks, and which were
PAGES cf eate,tainment for and beast Thy
were usually old conrents. The fare was generally
very good at these plac; Is. Shepherds who attend.
ed hocks, numbering thousands, were seen in the
highs; mountains. Ih.se We're not Shepherds Of
70 name with du'cst pipe or mournful reed They
were practical shepherds. said sentimental young
lady 10 one u them, Shepherd, why dos thou
not uso thy pipe.' The sturdy fellow had no 9th
er idea Of d pipe than one ;aat smoked, and to
lhe cou.telnatn OF the delicate seat.mentast, re.
piled, Cos hant got any more baCcy" She was
cured Of her romance at once.
The lectu. er then proceeded to give narrative
Of ! persona. tour througa the tar-lan d Alps.
The great object of travellers on these high
mount tins was to see the sun rise and set. But
oiei. the at-osphere vas misty, dark aud ternpes-
tuoue, destroying the desired view. grumbling
Engshman wL0 ii Company with others, had
climbed h gh mountain 10 the rising and set
ting OF the orb OF day, was compelled to lod e
IN hozqice, because OF the gloomy weather with
out, which hid the desired view, and there wrote
the following lines:
"5eVea were up hill, long we stopped
The setting sun to see,
Su!en and grum he went to bed
Sulen and grum went we.
Mae seepieas hours we passed
The rising sun TO see,
SuIen and grun he rose again,
SuIien and gtum rose We" Laaghter0
Mr.. II. then proceeded 10 giGe a description Of
the gLhceut Using and setting Of The &ul on the
Alaps, uf an avg,auc e 1909 feet bread, l0J feet
deep 3 mics lJng-Uf Tclgs Chape- Suwarrow 5
pass AMI o.hct cAief points Of interest seen in his
journey, iius trailing with diagrams.
VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Til.
Society coayeneI, agleea9.y to adjournment, Oh
Friday evening las. at O'clock.
The ?res.d- announced the icst businoss in CT
del - be tle election oi cticcrs
/: being understood that tie President had deter.
M -ci MT - accsp!a renewed peyiut ne4t - tina.
ctIi;e II was, Oh motion,
ResOIrta uaaainsousIy Tat We acqliesce vita
painful Ieu glance III the decision Of EdmInd R4t.
sn, Lsq IL u --C Il rs-eilcti Jn office II te