Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-04-26
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER FIFTEEN.


remaining two days on lake Geneva we take dill
gence at Vevay for Basic. These diligences are
different from anything we have in our country,
and consist of three apartments. and occasionally
accommodations Oh top for passengers. The coupe
or front part of the coach, which affords the finest
view for sightseeing, being entirely enclosed by
glass windows. The middle apartment is like the
interior of any of six passenger stage coaches,
and the like Omnibus, except that it has no
front windows, and is more disagreeabe than any
other, in every way. Up stairs there are also two
compartments-one in front for the driver and two
passengers, and one in the rear for the conductor.
We find the roads throughout this country very
fine and this mode of travelling very comfortable,
as we have engaged the coupee, by telegraph, all
the way to Basic.
How beautiful the view is as we leave Vevay.
1t is delightful cool morning; there seems a pc
cular look of animation on the face of nature, and
the lovely valley smiling beneath u.s. bordering the
slvery waters of the lake-the city, as We gradu-
ally leave it in the distance, getting occasional viewa
of it as we wind round the hill, the snow-capped
mountains Mount Blanc-its hoary head towering
above all, forms lovely picture.
We pass through Freybourg, near the center of
Switzerland where are two fine wire suspension
bridges. The country is beautifully cultivated. 1t
is Sunday, and we have a fine opportunity for see
ing the people they go to and return from church
They have most rustic appearance in their quaint
dress, but still you seem impressed with the idea
that they are happy, industrious and contented
people.
Yes, liberty reigns throughout Switzerland, and
peace and tranquility has free admission into every
household
We notice great many neat, comfortable farm
houses however plain they are. In almost every
instance barn, stable and dwelling houses are under
the same roof One end of the building serves as
stable, the center for barn. and adjoing that is
the dwelling.
We reach Berne about sunset, change diligences
and have time for walk. Visit very old Dutch
church, public square, and have fine view of the
river Aar and the surrounding country. The city
is built high bluff, which overlooks the river,
and has twenty-four thousand inhabitants
Continue our ride the same night, and reach
Basic at the head of the Rhine the next morning
Take hurried breakfast and continue on to Stras-
burg by rail- When few miles from Basic pass
amined but that is soon over, and we quickly reach
Strasburg 1t is near twelve o'clock, so we will
hurry to the cathedral to see the far-famed clock
as it is only in operation at twelve. The church is
crowded, and we are just in time. 1t is truly won
1erful. Twelve Apostles pass before our Saviour
and cock claps his wings and crows thrice. This
clock also gives the times and seasons of ecclesias
ical events, shows the motions of the heavenly
bodies, strikes the hours half hours, and quarter
hours youth strikes the quarter, man the
half, and old man the full hours; while small
igure turns the hour-glass.
The cathedral is certainly a massive structure, |
much resembling that of Milan. The spire is four
hundred and seventy-four feet from the ground
church was begun seven hundred years ago, and |
vas intended to have two spires, but only one has |
'een finished, which gives it very odd appear
nee. The interior is grand but about dozen
,reat stout men must have fee before you can
ook through it. Assembled the spire and had fine
lew of the city, which is very low, and has pop
lation of seventy thousand inhabitants. Strasburg
as not yet assumed French appearance-the
eople still retain the German dress and language
t was annexed to France in the time of Louis XIV.
We rode around and through the city; tits strongly
,rtifed on all sides, and seems almost impregnable
listed the church of st. Thomas, where we saw
eautiful monument to Marshal SAKE, who attained
great reputation as military commander. We
lad Of his success in the wars of Queen Ann,
nd afterwards in France. He was a natural son
Frederick II, elector of Saxony, and King of
GLAND. After a sumptuous dinner we leave this
ty in an omnibus as far as Kehl, where the GUS
'm-house is situated, and we again display our
inks, and then take cars and soon reach Baden
aden. We have all our lives heard of this place {
gayety, and we can now see for ourselves We
ass three days here. The scenery on all sides is
larming-in one direction the fertile valley is
fore us, then we look upon the beautiful Rhine, s
I'd afar off the heights Of Vosge-while on one
De our view is bounded by high mountains, black
night, covered with black fir trees, and on the
her fine ranges covered with beautiful forest trees
Baden Baden is decidedly an attractive place. :
e find in every direction delightful walks and q
les, winding over hill and dale through field and '
rest to the ajoining villages and castles Indeed,
e place is perfect garden spot. Art and nature
we their efforts in making this a charming place
resort. b
The waters are considered invaluable, and we t
ID many invalids here. There are sixteen hot :
rings having their source in an emnence in the f
inter- Of the town, and differ greatly in tempera- t
re. We took some from the original spring en-. v
'sed by the Romans. The water is go hot we :.
n scarcely hold the glass in our hands, yet we v
n drink it without burning our mouth. 1t is one
ndred and fifty Farenheit. c
Good bathing establishments are to be found in y
cry direction. 4
The conversation house is decidedly the curiosity
this place-we have walked through it many II
les, and it always presents the same someone
&C.