Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-11-13

it sometimes beyond all bounds. This 1
learned form barometer, which shows that
Neufchatel is inundated almost every year.
and sometimes to the depth of twenty feet
When we were tired Of prOmenading we sat
down in an avenue of fine old trees and
watched the sun rise over this little inland
sea. Slowly and majestically he raised his
flaming face above the horizon. The white
clouds that curtained his portals, drew back
at his approach, and the lake blushed crimi-
son at his coming; the white mists curled up
over the dark mountains, and the green vallies
laughed in the light of the young day. 1t was
a beautiful scene, aud we enjoyed it. though
we were wayworn and weary. But still the
city slept, and the sentinels paced their
rounds, and the red flag waved on the old
castle, and the pisoners sat alone in their
darkness.
AS it was about time for the uprising of the
director we went back to the bureau to see
what arrangements we could make about
getting to Bale. To make long story short
we found ourselves obliged to pay our pas
sage from Neufehatel to Bale again. So at
seven O'Clock we set out once more and in
fifteen hours arrived in the city of Bale.
1t was a harder and longer journey than we
should have had by thesteamboat, but we were
more than recompenSed by the magnifcence
of the scenery. 1t is called the most beauti-
full route in Switzerland, but am sure it is
the most beautiful in the world. Lakes and
mountains, blue rivers and dancing water
falls, luxuriant vallies and green hills in end
less combinations of wondrous loneliness,
make up the splendid panorama. We arri-
we'd at Bale at nine O'Clock, got an excellent
supper, a good nights sleep and were out
next morning early to see the wonders of the
city. Our first visit was to the Cathedral.
This superb pile, built on high point
of the left bank of the Rhine, is Gothic;
gray with the frosts of nearly thousand
years. Its facade is ornamented with curious
groups in bas relief, among which noticed
st. George killing the dragon. He is clad in
mail and mounted on an animal which looks
more like a donkey than a war horse. This
old minister contains the tombs of some of
the reformers, the monument of Anne, moth
err of the present line of Austrian princes; aud
the tomb of Erasmus, the great scholar and
dear friends of Sir Thomas Moore. We were
also shown a part of the Dance OF
DEATH" which the world has given Holbeir
the credit of originating but which, the guide
told us existed, on the church of the Domin.
leans, many years before Holbien was
born. These fragments, in fresco, carefully
separated from the wall, are framed and hung
in the Hall where the great Ecclesiastical
Council was held more than 400 years ago
Four gothic windows of this hall have, alone
remained unchanged. looked around and
tried to imagine the appearance of that sage
and venerable body that took the response
bility Of deposing one Pope and electinG
another. But it was impossible to associate
that which existed in the fifteenth century
with the new plaster and glaring whitewasf
which covers the old walls. Why will not
the young Present let the old Past alone
Why will the foolish world pull out its gray
hairs and disfgure its wrinkled face Will
whitewash and paint ? When will people
cease to destroy that which is beautiful anC
holy, by association, because it has beer
touched by the finger of Time?
From the terrace between the Cathedra
and the river, which is called Die Pfatz
there is one the loveliest views in the world
The broad blue Rhine stretching away int
the dim distance like a summer sea the fin
old city clustered round both its shores; tn
gray Jura on one side, the Black Forest OIL
the other, and all covered, or rather crowned
with soft veil of blue haze, make lovel;e
picture than painter ever portrayed. W.
could have staid there forever; bat we hat
arranged to start for Strasburg at eleven an(
our moments were precious. 1 wish nov
that we had remained another day to th'
Museum and the Library. The former con
tains collection of Holbein's paintings, ano
the latter many interesting manuscripts ant
autographs, among which are those of Luther
Erasmus, and Melancthon. We took tn
cars at eleven and arrived at Strasburg at FIVE
stopped at the sHotel de la Vignette," dine'
a Ia tourchette and hurried out to see the Ca
thedral description of which, with its won
derful clock, will give you in my next.
| Yours.