Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-14

less leagues OF space, and tho numerous
lakes lying below, whose green waters
reflect like mirror the majestic noun
tans that encrcle them. We have to re-
cord that the "Septuaginta" of the ItalinB
Division ascended the Rhigi in the mist
and rain; Che fret uniavorable weather
experiencet) supped, sang. slept, and
its Sumnlit-"n nothing more"
Great as was our grief at our bootless
ascent OF the Rhigi railway, it was soon
forgotten 10 the steamer ride from Wiz
nau to Alpnoch where we take dlligences
for Brienz. through the Brunig Pass The
distance through this pass Is about TWEEN
ty.five miles. and while it does not rise to
the height OF Simplon or Splugen Passes.
IL is nevertheless one of the most delight
ful experiences TO the Alpine traveller,
and offers to him a series OF pictures. em-
bracing mountains whose peaks are
capped with eternal SHOWS, and whose
sides ara threaded with the silver lace OF
cascades and vocal with the roaming cat
aract. The hilsides are every where
dotted with the neat and picturesque
Swiss chaets. sometimes so FAR up The
steep mountain sides, that seemingly
they must have taken wings to find such
lodgment; aud overlooking the green
wales and smiling lakelets lying far be-
low. The road through the pass Is very
smooth but the grade is very sharp 10
many places, so much 80 passengers are
Obliged TO walk, and bars-ioo!ed matdeas
bring ont additional horses. aud them
selves follow the carriages on foot, or
(where the grade is not hsavy) take
seats on the luggage-racks. WIKI their
feet dangling in the air. and return
mounted on the bare backed horses when
they have helped over the steepest hills
The noble beasts are often given a snb-
stanlial lunch, consisting OF well-baHed
rolls nicely sliced (unsccompanied With
the butter and honey usually accorded 10
foreign touris,s) and the way the horses
dovoured them we judged they were less
of the gu,ia percha order than those our
laws are wont TO contend with. One OF
the party suggested that European rolls
would make an excellent substitute for
croquel balls.
As we emerge from the pass, on our
steep winding way. into the MeirngeR
Valley q rare picture breaks upon our
vision. The valley deep down at our
feet, rich with grains and plenleous har
yest-,he milk -colored river meandering
through il; its shores dotted with the
peasants cottages, looking like the little
block-houses we buy Tor the children at
Christmas, $50 far away are they) and
the waters OF lovely Reichenback span
ming the opposite mountain wall like a
broad lace curtain trembling in the
breeze. These mscadamiZed roads that
thread their way over these Alpine passes
are wonderful triumphs oil engineering
skill; and while they pursue very wind
ing and zigzsg course. their bed is as
smooth g. our paved city streets. Then
their circutous ways off-r u views from
every possible standpoint.
After emerging from the Pass. we soon
resch the village of Brunig, located on
the lake OF the same name. This Is
mere lakclet, but few miles in length,
but It's surroundings of castle, cliff aud
lofty mountain peaks. coupled with the
emerald hue of its waters, lend TO it the
od-time and traditional glory OF the
Swiss and Italian Lakes. The Falls OF
the Gies bach tumble from their mountain
heights into this lake. A new and hrst-
class hotel has been built half way up this
mountain, ona ojecting cliff, command
ing q fine view OF the lake on one side.
and as you look up the dark wooded
slopes OF the mountain on the other side,
you behold the white foaming waters
tumbling like catarac! from the clouds.
The walk from the lake up to the hotel is
no mean effort for pedestrian, and
many ladies arc borne up in chairs on the
shoulders OF sturdy carriers. As though
this high priced hotel did rot afford saff-
ciert reliet to plethoric purses, numer-
Gus shops are tucked around in the COST
est. shady arbors, - the sale oil The Gu
riously carved Sqess wood work. Bot
iew can withstanG'sne temptation OF this
kind that meets I 70 tourist wherever ne
stops in Swi'zeri,.nd whether for lunch,
rest. sght-seeil',t, or at hotels. The ex-
tent of our inv lment at this place was
in several canes. born aud still blooming
and fresh under the bapnsmal spray OF
the falling waters. Many were the leers
we received from fellow tourists Tor car
rying through Europe so much cord-wood
tied up in our shswl-s.raps. As we drew
near our ocean steamer that was 10 bear
US home these same jeerers were anxious
to purchase one OF those canes we had cut
on the Alps, and had cost US no little in
convenience TO bear as souvenirs to our
friends at home. They were the price of
loUe and not of gold.
But the great: attraction here, is the
illumination of the Waterfall, whicht takes
place every evening; the price for which