The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-03

evening, the effect being novel in the ex-
treme. When we witnessed the illumina>
tion we were favored with night so dark
that standing but few feet from the fall
we were unable to distinguish the falling
torrent, Notwithstanding in daylight it
seems like fall of snow, from the vio-
lent agitation Of the water. At signal,
given by the firing of a rocket, variously
colored lights placed behind the falls, were
/ ignited and the effect was splendid, elicit
ing the strongest expressions Of admiration
from those who witnessed it. One franc
is charged each visitor present and no one
ought to be unwilling To disburse who has
seen the illumination but how they col
/ lect al the francs, on as dark a night as
we had, | cannot pretend to say.
Leaving Interlachen, after stay of FIVE
days we proceeded to Lucerne, travelling
by boat over Lake BrienZ, where we COM
mitted ourselves to the care Of the Swiss
Post Office Department and were duly
sent by Post diligence, kind of double
stage coach to Alpnacht. where we again
took Steamboat across the Lake to Lu~
ceTne
The ride across the mountain in the
diligence gave us some beautiful views of
mountain scenery, which you see in all
parts of Switzerland, but never tire of
Lucerne is one of the oldest cities in
Switzerland, with a portion of the old
wall that once surrounded the city still
standing. Situation of the city beautiful,
and tine views from almost any part in it,
charming From Lucerne is made the
celebrated excursion Of the ascent of the
Rlei, a mountain some six thousand feet
high, with fine Hotel on the very sum-
NIT, where about four hundred people can
be accommodated, (and are accommoda-
ted nearly every night during the>summer
season) When on the mountain top the
view pays for all the trouble of getting
there. 1t was rather warm dag in Au-
gust when we left the Hotel at Lucerne,
with change of under>clothing and our
overcoats strapped in a bundle on our
backs, and taking small steamer on the
lake were soon at Knssnacht, ,alleged to
be the scene of William Tells apple bust
ness, though doubtful, several places
claiming the same honor From Kuss-
nacht the ascent Of the mountain COM
fit 10 take horses to ride up and some
weak kneed females saw fit 10 take chairs
TO be carried up, your correspondent, in
company with some other young people
and strong limbed females, concluded to
walk up. We were soon on the way, and
kept on the way for about three hours,
with occasional rests by the way, at hos
pitable inns, where Swiss beer and wine
furnished The stimulus necessary for re-
newed exertlon. Our overcoats never
weighed 50 heavily, and owing to some
singular atmospheric (or other) cause,
seemed to increase in weight al every step,
until they became 50 heavy that franc
was expended in inducing the guide lead
ing The horse of one Of the party to allow
the horse to carry the coats, while we
found ali our strength quite necessary to
get ourselves toward the top. But after
abnut three hours walk we got to the Ri
q StafIle, about half mile from the top,
where there is quite an extensive hotel,
and while taking some refreshments here
were informed that Qaeen Victoria (who
was spending the summer at Lucerne, J
was taking a lunch in sight of the house,
opposite side to the route which we had
taken. Anxious Of course to see Eng
lands ruler, we awaited her coming, in
company with number of her subjects,
and a number of Andrew Johnson's subs
jects Soon the royal party were on the
move and came up the road towards us.
| The Queen was on hon setback, her horse
! led by the celebrated John Brown, and
was followed by several of the Princesses,
/ also on horseback In England we had
| seen pictures of Victoria that had repre-
! sented a rather good looking, motherly
| kind of female, bat In Switzerland we saw
u great gross looking woman, with red
| face and nose, sitting ali in a heap upon
horseback, dressed III a grey stuff dress,
and sacque, wearing a broad brimmed
straw hat, not at all becoming, and not
deemiDg it necessary to acknowledge in
any way the bows and obsequious ac-
acknowledgements of the parties whom she
passed upon the road side. Noticing that
she treated those who did her homage SC
cavalieIly, party Of Americans who
stood somewhat aloor from the other party.
''cut her entirely" and did not recognize
the Queen on the soil of the Republic =
After the Qleen passed up the mountain
we too continued our journey, and arrived
at the Rigi Kuhn, the summit of tbs
mountain, where rooms were ready for US
we having taken prccaution 20 telegraph
for them from Lucerne. After a gooi
dinner, which the exercise we had taker
caused US heartily TO enjoy, the blowing
of an Alpine horn announced the setting 0
the sun, and hundreds turned out to en-
Joy the sight, which was fine indeed. Bu
the Rigi is ascended especially to see tn
sun rise, and this demands getting u
when called, but as the Alpine horn i
blown by strong-lunged individual a
your very door, you are very apt to &c
} up The air at such an elevation SO earl
, in the morning is quite cool, and visitor
frequently are not prepared for it, and tax
, the bed clothing for protection. A motto