Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-23
mountains. But the HILL BY some convu,yion.

mountains. But the hill, by some CONFUSION,
has been rent from the top to the bottom, and
the river finds its way through fearful cavern,
one of the most awful gorges that can be
found in Switzerland. After crossing the hill
we left the road, and following our guide for
twenty minutes came to the mouth of the cave
that leads down to the bed Of the river, where
it is rushing through with frightfnl force in
darkness but not silence for the roar Of the
waters is repeated among the rocks, adding
greatly to the terror of the scene. 1t is only
half an hours walk from the cave to Meyringen;
but we made it more than an hour, enjoying
the fine views that opened upon us as We
stood above the village, which lies in the vale
Of Hash. Surrounded by Alpine scenery,
which Brockedon says is not excelled in beauty
by any vale in Switzerland, it was peculiarly
lovely to me in the light and calm Of the setting
sun. 1t is but three miles across the plain, and
as look upon the splendid cataract Of the Reich
enbach falling into it on one side, and the
Alpbach coming down on the other, and
streaming cascades in great numbers pouring
into it down the PERCEPTIONS sides Of the noun
tains, the first thought that strikes the mind is
of the danger that the valley would be filed
with water one of these days and the people
driven out. Such calamity has indeed oc-
CURED, and to guard against its return, q stone
dyke, 1000 feet long and s feet wide, has been
built, that the swollen river may be conducted
with safety out of the vale.
Long years ago the mountain torrent brought
down q mass of earth with it, so suddenly and
so fearfnlly, that in one brief hour a large part
ofthe village was buried twenty feet deep, and
the desolation thus wrought still appears over
the whole face Of the plain. The church has a
black line painted on it to mark the height to
II, IL ll~l Al -,
this deluge of 1862. There is something very
fearful in the idea of dwelling in region sub
ject to such visitations. But there is a fine race
of men and women here. The men are spoken
Of as models for strength and agility, and the
matches and games in which they annually
contend with the champions of other cantons de-
eide their claims to the distinction. The women
are good looking, and that is more than ] can
say for most of the women / have met among
the Alps, where the hardy, exposed, and toll
some life they lead, in poverty and disease,
gives them such look as | cannot bear to see
in female face. In fact, could not tell
man from woman but by their dress, in many
parts of the mountains. Now we are down in
the region of improved civilization, and some
taste in dress begins to appear among the wo-
men, who rig themselves out in holiday or
Sunday suit of black velvet bodice, white mus
lin sleeves, yellow pettlcoat, ana black hat
set jauntingly on one side of the head, with
their braided hair hanging down their backs
not bad to look at. An old woman on the hill,
ought to stay there till next Sunday, and see
them all come out of church /" a prettier sight
I would never see in all my life" / did not
stay, however.
Bul I had a long talk that night with Naigls,
my guide, about the manners, morals, &C., Of
| the people in that beautiful vale where he
lives, and must report it at the beginning Of
another letter. 1t is too late now.
| IREN EUS.