The Portland daily press., 1870-03-30
1eT"'s $500 per ana,uas, d, adrance.

~ per 0nnata,s, In adrance.
.ua. Oh the st. Gotthard or anv of tIe other
tbe trn~ between Italy and Switzerland, that
| tbe CoJ do saeer the Gents, or rather under
| ,, 'J"'' was undertaken-tbe most
~, A' WIN oi the kind ever protected.
n'' 10 no" i"r advanced towards connie
tion. 'p'e
At last we got nearer to what is called The
sea-level, there were evidences of cultiva~
tion and.mechanical industry about US. and
in more genial atmosphere, the ice melted
away from the car windows, and the beauty
of the scenery induced the inside passengers
to open them, the better to behold it.
On we went, following down the Ar and
the Isere rivers to st. Michel; here we had
time for refreshments, and for the ladies' to
preen their rufIled plumage.
Resuming our seats there was constant
succession of interesting objects to claim our
attention, not the least of which was the pre-
cipitous Mt Granier, which, according to bis
tory, owes its present perpendicular cliffs 10 a
great landslip that took place in 1249, and
overwhelmed sixteen villagesp
Then, we come to Chamberg, which has
10000 inhabitants, an old catbedial and
modern monumt Mt adorned with life-slze fg-
ures of elephants, TO General de Boigne, who
ever he may be; and so on, along the borders
of the Lac de Bourget, and up the Rhone, til
we arrive at Geneva.
On account OF the salubrity of its climate,
the beauty ofits location, and its commanding
views, Geneva is much resorted to by tourists;
and it has every appliance in its fine hotel. Tor
their accommodation. And yet 1t Is emphati-
cally small city, having population Of about
| 4S,OC0.
1t is situated at the foot of The like. on both
sides of the Rhone, the two portions of the
town being connected by six bridges.
Among the objects here to which the stran-
ger is expected to pay first attention are: the
house of the religious reformer Calvin-11
rue DE Chanoines-a substantial two story
stone building; the house where the social
Ieformer Rousseau was born-4O Grand Rue
"a loftier, If not more pre.entious building, of
stone; the cathedral, completed In 1924; the
Russian church with its gilded domes; the
Musee Rath, containing collection Of pic
lures and other matters; the Musee Acadeui-
que' containing Eatura. history and other spe-
eimens; and the arsenal, with Its collections
OF ancient and modern armour. Not by any
means that these are all the interesting places
and objects that the City is capable of display
ing. But what admire most here, are the
fine promenades and other public grounds
planted with shade trees, furnished with seats,
and always kept in the best order. Example,
the qHais Mt Blanc, Paquis and Leman, which
extend successfully more than mile along
the Lake. the first commanding fine view, ct
| the monarch of the Alps, the Aiguill,s du
Midi, the Dent du Geant, and other emiuen-
ces; the Jardin Angais and contiguous
grounds, beautifully laid out, where the stroller
has the far-stretching waters of " clear placid
Leman" and its picturesque shores en- either
side; the elevated and shady walk La Friele,
which affords fine view Of the Sleeve, and
the Botanic Garden, open to all.
| Every spot under the control of the city that
commands view Of the Lake, or the noun
tains, is carefully lett open-and even the
Jetee extending into the harbor, at the end Of
which the light house stands, is shaded with
trees and furnished with benches. All these
are open to everybody alike; and thus taste
and refinement lin one direction at least) Is
cultivated; and the poor citizen as well as the
wealthy, enjoys them with an air of indepen-
dence. They belong to the public, are 10 part
his; and he has an eye ownership In all their
beautiful views.
But, not alone to Geneva is confined this pol
icy Of providing public grounds and preserv-
ing from obstruction scenes and objects In
which people may take delight. 1t Is a char
acteristic ofal the cities al d towns of Europe,
and even the smaller villages pride them
selves on their public squares or walks.
Would it not be wellit similar regard for
public enjoyment and taste were cultivated In
America. much more extensively than 1t now
is? What magnificent look out, for instance,
would be preserved to Portland, If the section
which borders that portion of the Eastern
Promenade which faces the barbor and ocean,
could believe led down to the grade of the rail-
road, and the view thus lett opcp-and, may
add, what convenience it would be, If not at
present, eventually, for transacting business
with the railroad
Then again, should not the city own Bran
halls Hill down to its base, so that the uuri-
vailed views which that eminence commands,
might be preserved forever from obstruction ?
The fate that has oyertaken portion of the
Eastern Promenade shows what might be the
result with the Western, If private interests
should ask change there.
| And finally, what magnificent park could
be preserved in Deerings Oaks.
Yours truly. s. B, B.