The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-09-14
OUR YANKEE AMONG THE ALPS.
GENEVA, Switzerland,
August 18th. 1871

scenery, DuE Tor -TS numor- |
Gus and beautiful small lakes. On one Of
these is situated the city of Zurich 100000
inhabitants remarkable for it's fine loca-
ton, large hotels and prices to CORES
pond. It detains the traveller but short
time, when he pushes on to find more ma
iestic mountains than can be seen from
this place. Many people have an idea
that Switzerland is all mountainous, but
such is not the case. It abounds in
charming landscapes of undulating coun-
try, beautifully diversified with hill and
dale, with small plains and romantic
valleys. Every foot of ground is utilized
that can be cultivated or moved, far up
the mountain side. The dwellings of the
peasantry are neat and tidy, and every.
thing around indicates thrift and rural
comfort. The whole country abounds in
fruit trees, the pear tree being about as
common as the apple.
Leaving Zurich by rail for Tug, situat-
ed on lake ten miles long of the same
name, thence through the lake by steam
er, we reached the SMALL village of Arth,
from which point we assembled the Rigi
Mountains. Our party consisted of three
Americans, one Englishman and two
German students. and 1t was decided we
shcu make the ascent on foot, walk
OF five hours all the way up hill, and we
found it "up hill business" before reach
ing the summiC, more than 5000 feet high
We toiled up the steep paths step by step
threc hours, when, reaching a small hotel,
we were glad to order refreshments. The
charges were extOrtiOnate, and the result
was almost skirmish. The Germans
demonstrated, and their bills and ours
were reduced, but the Englishman, whose
bill was the largest, gave our host the
slip. Chagrined at such treatment, he
was determined to seize our coats and UNI
brellas which we bad employed noun
tain boy to carry up for us,in payment for
the delinquent's bill of three and half
francs. The Germans then proposed to
divide the amount among the company
and pay it, but the Americans said
"nichts, we had nothing to do with it.
The old man and woman, with three
grown up sons and daughters, and seve
raj smaller ones, then made an assault
and for few moments lively scene
ensued. The old woman's weight was
fully two hundred pounds avoirdupois
with strength corresponding Selling
one of our comrades umbrella, she was
| bound to capture it, when he, wrenching
| it from her hands threatened to harpoon
her with it, In her excitement, she at.
tempted to beat a retreat backwards, but
falling over two little ones, all vent into
heap. Heads, hands and feet protrud.
cd in all directions. and the general
squalling rendered it a scene Of Pandemo-
mum. At length we proposed that each
- FL
should select his own property, and, if
anything remained belonging to the Eng
lishman, we should not claim it. We did
so and nothing remained Meantime the
Delinquent was standing on the heights
two or three hundred feet above us, split
ting his sides with laughter. The bill
1roc no "a an1 IN a rou7>lo If bo,rc 1ro
stood upon the summit OF Mt Rigi.
This is place of general resort, the
panorama which it commands being near
ly three hundred miles in circumference.
A sunsetand sunrise at this point are con-
sidered we'll worth the fatigue of ascend
ing. There are three or four hotels on,
or near the summit, and tourists have no
lack of Recommendations At sunset there
was crowd of three hundred persons,
and the same crowd again at sunrise, con-
sisting of people from every nation in
Europe, but amid all the jargon of Ian
guages, more than one-half of them were
speaking English.
The view is both grand and beautiful.
Aside from the beauty Of the sunrise and
sunset, the valley or plain below is charm
ing to behold. We look down upon it as
upon map, tracing every road and rivu-
let, and range of low hills, while the
clouds seem to float on the surface of the |
lake at our feet. Numerous villages dot |
the landscape, and among them one noted
for its historical interest, said to be the