Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-14
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.
LAKE OF The Four CANToNs, WM TELL.
ASCENT or THE RHIGI, BRUNIG Pass
The GIEsBACH WATERFALL.

"
IL was with feeling little short OF
melancholy that We said goodbye to Lu-
cerne. For beauty OF situation, few
places We have seen equal it. In the
foreground, near the lake, where you can
see the high poplars standing, is situated
the villa Of Triebschen, for several years
the residence OF Richard Wagner, before
be removed TO Beyruth. There the
maestro, celebrated 10y many admirers
and attacked by as many opponents. per-
mlled his genius TO soar to those regions.
where tae ridiculous is often not far from
the sublime.
We are now in the very heart OF Al
pine scenery, and we are looking forward
with keenest delight 10 our sail over Lake
Lucerne, or The Lake OF the Four Cam
tons, directly under the slopes of the
Rhlgi, whose SUNNI, we expect TO sleep
upon tonight This lake derived its
name from the primitive Cantons o!
Switzerland, by which it is surrounded.
As the cradles OF the origin and develop
ment OF the Swiss Couiederacy are rest
ing on its shores, they are surrounded by
rich ornaments OF historical and legend
AIRY lore. Wah this name gay and rich
world OF enthusiastic ideas springs up
from the remembrance OF early youth,
greeting the wanderer. and bringing
home again TO his fancy, all those dream
like, beautiful. haZy forms, created once
so charmiagly by fancy in her flight and
now rising again in all their glory. Our
foot now fingers on the classical soil OF
old Switzerland, my Ihic images get body
and voice, a our look, with Joy glides
along the green mirror OF the limpid lake.
No other lake IN Switzerland is so highly
privileged by tae gnomic powers and, as
il were. on purpose. provided with every
thing to satisfy the boldest wish, enhance
the enjoyment, and fill our souls with en-
thusiasm, like the Lake OF the Four Can
tons. At Axenberg stands the chapel OF
William Fell This is built on the spot
where he esped from Gessler's boat dur
Ing the storm. The Alps whose eternal
SHOWS are lifted dazzling TO the sky. CON-
plete the grandeur Of scene so hallowed
by the footsteps OF freedom. How full
of interes. to u citizen of young aud free
America Is shrine where the votaries oi
LibSrtY have turned TO gather strength
and courage through the storms and con-
vulsious %! i've hundred years At Altori.
10 the market place is tower said 10 be
built on the spot where the linden tree
stood, under which the child OF Tell was
placed, While about hundred yards dis
,ant, is fountain with Tells statue, on
the spot where he shot the apple. IL
these localities are correct, he must in
deed have been master OF the cross bow.
A. another part Of the lake is Mori-
schachen. where the bsliff of the con.
vent was looking out for bride, whilst
Tell The archer was sitting by the way
side, filed with thoughts OF murder.
At the end of the idylic lake We come
to Kusuocht and to some ruins, said 10 be
the remainder Of GeSSler'S fortress and
again, within q guns shot there is the
hollow way" where Tell aimed his best
shot and wou the best prize in all the cir
cult of the mountains. The latest author
ity, by The b., Swiss savant, is said to
be collecting evidence which will con-
vince the most sceptical that William
Tell and the apple story are no myths.
From the first paddle stroke OF the
steamer 10 the moment OF disembsrkment
in the honey bay OF Vhznau, the struc-
ture OF rocks is rising and mounting up
and up. with assures iunumerable, bclder
and bolder, more and more rigidly inclos-
ing the lake, and the many water basins,
dismembered like labyrlnths, form q
series OF secluded chambers, each pro
vided with gallery OF new and surpris.
ing pictures.
This is classical ground, all around US,
and full OF sacred remembrance. And
high above this scenery the Rhigi, the
principal object of our search, holds It's
regal throne.
Gentle showers. and clouds trailing
about the mountain peaks considerably
dampened our ardor and expectation for
a good night at the summit. Storms are
very frequent about these high elevations,
and no calculations can be made for an
hour ahead. Old Probability's opinion
GOES for no more than that of the hum
blest peasant. The road up the Rhigi is
very similar TO our Mt. Washington rail-
way. The Swiss engineers visited Nit.
Washington, and wero given every OPP
portunity TO study the plan and working
of the road, and in this Alpine road they
have copied all the essential features of
our road wilGuutrecognizing, in the least,
the skill OF Yankee ingenuity and inven-
tion. The Rbigi Kuhn is rot among the
highest peaks Of The APPS. being only
about six thousand feet above the sea;
but from it's summit in clear day the
view is among he grsndest in the world:
so we were assured Oh IL best authority;