National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-17
OUR FOREIGN LETTER.
Climbing tho Mountain Of Rhigi- Sur set
and Sunrise as Soon From the Summit
"A Swiss Looomo ve-Lake OF Como.
etc, etc,

etc, etc,
At . O'Clock in the afternoon we took th
boat for Weighs, where we arrived in ha
mn hour. We found horses and guide
waiting for rs, and mounting our stocd,
started OF for the ascent Of the Rhgi. TIL
sun was tcarlully hot as we drew near til
top, but apart from the heat, the day wa
delightful, and the view grew more charm
ing every moment, The path was wei
made, about five feet in width, gravelcd
and whore il was requisite, protected by
hand rail. First we went through orchards
and after leaving them began TO climb ~
the mountain. Sometimes across meadows
then again across the face Of the rocks
down which came streams of water; some
times under the cliffs of conglomerate pud
ding stone once through natural arch.
way or tunnel formed by two enormou,
masses of stone, under whose FRI ,ndly shell.
ter the best OF her sex " and IN self were
glad to seek refuge for a few moments from
the heat of the sun. But, as the longest
lane has turning, so the highest mountain
has top and in company with crowd OF
equestrians and pedestrians, we rode IN
to the door of the Hotel du Rhigi-Koum.
thoroughly tired out and exhausted with
our ride. After getting off our gallant
stccd, we felt rs though we would be
obliged to take our meals off Of a mantle
piece, standing, for several days. our euues-
trirn exercise not agreeing with us. TO
use the language Of A. Ward, horseback
riding up a side bill dis not our forte"
We found our telegram sent the day pre-.
yiouS had been received, and our room was
ready for u>. After taking survey of our
quarter, for the night, we walked to the
brow Of the mountain TO view the scenery.
The summit was covered with people, all
attracted by one common ohjcct-to view
the setting sun. The view is said to EN-.
brace circuit OF nearly three hundred
mle'. 1t is said that eleven lakes can be
seer rom the top of Rhigi, but we were
only able to count nine. The Lake Of the
Four CantCns is SO close to the foot Of the
we were on, that I seemed rs if|
a stone might be thrown into it without
any cXertion. just as the sun was gone .
down, m Indifferent performer on the Al .
pine horn, an instrument about seven feet /
long, awoke the echoes, and sOrcy tried .
the temper Of lis hearers by hi, ill-timed .
md unmusieal cXertions. The evening was
clear, and it afforded US an
EXCELLENT view Of perfectly clesr horizon
md nest magnificent panorama. Noun
aims were to be seen on every hand. Snow.
dad submits. each with its name and hi,
ory and at cur feet, apparently, were
owns, villages and lakes, although they
we're in reality many miles away from u.
After the sun had set for Us. we could vet
ee it lighting up the snow-capped top,
/ some OF the lottiest mountains of the
Ilp>, Gradually it became darker and
arker, the mist commenced rolling M
rom the valley, and as the ar became
amp and chilly, We all returned to the
otel to rartake of the supper for which
Il had excellent appetNtes. We retired !
arly, 50 as to get all the rest possible, as .
e would be obliged to be up by $3.50 A. NJ. |
, see the sun rise. There was a notice in !
he ROOM requesting the guests not to y
axe the blankets OIL the bed when going t
ut TO see the sun rise y
Half an hour before sunrise % A. NJ we
ere awakened by the sound of the Alpine
orn, which was blown by the performer
the previous evening, through al the -
always of the hotel. At the first sound
it we were up aud dres sod in a few mo- =
cnts, and were out on the summit long
fore many of the disciples of Zoroaster "
ere out of bed. All was noise, hustle and :,
infusion. Tine, represented by the sun
ants Tor no man, and that fact being patent =
every one IN the hotel. the result wa, !.
at some very singular toicttcs were to -
seen, the principal costume of the ladies ~
ing waterproof cloaks, that covered ~
altitude OF shortcomings in the toilette, ~
any stood, watch in hand, waiting for u.
e first appearance of the great luminarv. :.
hey reminded me OF the story Of the coun- W
lyman who had just purchased a watch.
ii was waiting, as we were, to see the sun u
e. Alter looking at his watch a few y,
oments and then turning his gaze to the - -
st, he remarked to friend who stood ~
ar him, "Wall, If the sun is not up in u
e minutes, he's late" He evidently had y
ore faith in that watch than he had in III
sun itself. As we stood waiting, the T.,
)Wd kept coming out of the hotel, and - ~
my were seen struggling up the hill who III
d been obliged to sleep at the hotel fur a,
err down the mountain side, not being able VI
procure accommodations at the Rbici- "
'uIm. For the time being, the great ~
tel was without guest. We should TT
lge there were about three hundred per- 49,
Is on the summit at sunrise. just as u" 20
, first faint streak of light in the east -, "
'clalmed the birth of another day. party ~ Il:
Swiss peasants, male and female, COM -
need singing hymn, which sounded Wv;
y sweetly. As the sun rose higher, the ~
mon began to redden over the eastern y"
zee OF mountains, and then the dawn stole 20
in such succession OF deepening tlnts =
It nothing but the hues OF the preceding i ~
lset could be compared to it, But there I'd,
his great difference between sunrise and w.
set, that the hues of sunset are every al
ment deepening as You look upon them. sia'
il they fade into darkness, while those pr
l,n SIM. I,,n1 g. l.
lay. 1t is difficult to say which is the s Si,e
= hnautif,,l Tho obin,t ,,,oe@ Sllt