The Portland daily press., 1869-06-03
Handles through Germany.
PARIS. Nav 10Th 126

VISIT TO THE SALT MINES OF SALZBURG.
Ileft Vienna ten days since, with some re-
gret, as at no city in Europe have enjoyed
my visit more than there. Our first stop was
at Salzburg about 200 miles west from Wen
ma. The railroad is admirably built and mar
aged, traversing rich section Of Austria; the
latter part of the ride giving us beautiful views
of the mountain scenery Of the North Tyrol
We arrived at Salzburg a. O'Clock in the
evening 1t is place of 10000 inhabitants,
is delightfully."- situated amidst mountains, and
| the view from the balconies of the Hotel, OF
their green valleys and snow covered SUBMITS
was charming. Its picturesque location, and
other attractions draw here many visitors
during the summer season. 1t is remember
ed as the birthplace Of Mozart, and bronze
statue of him is in the square opposite the
house where he lived.
A visit to the salt mines in the vicinity was
the principal object of our stay here, and the
day after our arrival we rode to the nearest,
HELENE, II miles distant. The road runs
along the side of rushing river, whose milky
color showed that it was fed by the melting
glaciers from the mountains above. On ar
irving at the village where the salt works are.
situated, we left our carriage and took lighter
vehicles, drawn by two horses and convey
ing two persons each, the driver going on
foot. We then made slow ascent for an
hour up winding road along the side of the
mountains till we came to the entrance to the
mine. Beggars annoyed us all the way.
They are almost as importunate as the Ital-
JAMS. In making preparations to descend into
the mine, we each put on suit of white
linen blouse and pants, old hat, leathern nit
ten on the right hand and q leathern apron
behind, and in that rig we presented to each
other and to the amused natives very gro
tesque looking appearance. aa
y Our descent into the mine was from a.
wooden She'd, covering the entrance. We
slid down smooth plank at an angle of forty
degrees, holding on to a. rope with one hand
and in the other carrying a lighted candle.
The passage was four feet wide and six high.
We then went through long galleries cut
through the salt strata, a great deal of which
was mixed with earth and rock. These gal
lerles were about high enough to walk in
without hitting your head; and were support
ed by timber and plank at the top and sides,
an occasional cracked one giving us not very
pleasant sensations. After going through
number Of these galleries, sliding down more
planks, we came to large excavation in the
salt rock, two hundred feet in diameter, and
illuminated by lamps hung around its sides.
In the centre was large reservoir of brine,
from which it is conveyed by wooden pipes
through the galleries down the mountain to
| the works, where the salt is manufactu, ed by
evaporation. 8.
Our sortie into daylight was by sitting
astride narrow plank on rough car which
ran on railway, and with cog at each end
OF the car, we went at a rapid rate. One
time the candles we're extinguished, and we
were in the thickest darkness. The outlet of
the mine was some miles distant by the road
from the entrance. The intervening space
we passed through in the mountain. We
found ourselves quite near the village at the
foot of the mountain where we had left out
carriage; our clothing &C., having been
brought round to us. .,..s5.sf..
We got back to Salzburg much fatigued and
quite hungry. 1t being May day, the streets
of the yillages-along the road were filled with
the population in their peculiar dress, enjoy
ing themselves in various ways, and as stran-
gers we attracted great deal of notice from
them, especially when we told them we were.
Americans. eafA A'.H