Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-26

NO 80.
Continued
MY TRIP 10 IuRoPE.
FAREWELL TO CHANouNl.


Aug. ). A few words more about our
mountain excursion yesterday. Looking
across the valley, we saw, on terrace more
than 1000 feet up the slope df Mont Blanc,
between Chamouni and the Mer dc Glacc,
dwelling-houscs, and small village with
church, which could only be reached from
the valley by climbing up the steep side Of
the mountain
After our days walking and climbing, IL
was agreeable as well as prudent to retire
early. But about II o'clock, the night was
so lovely, and this being our last night 1t
Chamouni, | arose again and went down into
the court yard, where several persons (not Of
our parity were watching for the moon to
rise over Mont Blanc. The air was balmy,
and it was almost AS light as day. saw the
beams of the rising orb illuminate peak after
peak of the snowy top of the great mountain.
and light up the edges of the few misty clouds
that were visible, until
"a sea Of glory strcamed along the Alpine heights"
Reluctantly | retired again, and shut my eyes
upon the beautiful spectacle.
This morning l was ont early, and again
beheld the sun shedding its rays first upon
the Aighest point, and then Frightening up
every other peak in turn. Milton charming
ly describes such scene; a.t
The morn.
Walked by the circling hours with rosy hand.
tnbars the gates Of light" aHti
Here is another exquisite description of
morning by the same poet
'Swect is the breath Of morn her rising sweet,
With charm OF earliest birds; pleasant the sun.
When first; on this delightful land. he spreads
His orient beams, on herb, tree fruit antoAower,
Glistening with dew"
IL these lines were not written for this spot
they describe il as though they were This
is truly delightful land" with its vertlant
meadows, its rushing river, its snow
crowned heights piercing the very
heavens. its fields of broken and contor-
ted ice, together with its genial atmosphere
and pleasant sunshine.
Mont Blanc grows upon the bcholdcr, the
more il is viewed from various points; and
we can do no less. even after the brief and
important survey that VIC have made of its
sublime and beautiful scenery, than to ac-
knowledge its supreme sovereignty as the
Mountain King.
We were permitted to examine, in a shop
near our hotel, u representation Of Switxcr-
land and this mountain region, 8 or 10 feet
square, with the mountains elevated and the
valleys depressed, showing by ocular demon.
straton the comparative heights and shapcs
of mountains and lakes, and their surround
ings
New ENGLANb FOREVER
We have left behind us the narrow valleys
as well as the mountain heights of Catholic
Switzerland, and are now to bid adieu to
Chamouni and Mont Blanc. Nature has
spread out her beautiful handiwork In all
this region with lavish hand. But, alas 10
| the inhabitants, education, intelligence and q
pure faith are lacking. Every prospect
pleases." Only man is untitled by ignorance
and penury for the enjoyments of life, and
for improving his own condition.
The more | see Of these Catholic countries.
the more pity and lament their ignorance,
/ superstition and degradation; and the more
| rejoice that was born and have my home
in free and Protestant New England Here
images. crosses and shrines abound, both in
doors and out; but the more numerous they
are, the more abject the people. Their modes
of labor on land and in the mechanical arts,
| except wood carving, are rude and clumsy,
and far behind those in use in our 0An coun-
try. Moving machines, horse fakes, culti-
vators, and all the modern improy ements in
agricultural implements, appear TO be un-
known. The rude and primitive saw, mill
and machine shop at Heidelberg, have a.
ready mentioned. Women work ont doors
as much or more than men. the wages Of Ia
bor are low, and children have to Commence
work ar soon as they have any strength.
Their means Of education, and their oppor-
tunities, must be very limited. Churches
are not wanting, but school houses are rare.
We see but few old people, and those we have
met seem to be bowed down With toll and
premature nfirmity. Many of these remarks
| mt. ly IA, all tt,c cafb fbnlt utrso
visited, but more especially 10 the Swiss
valleys where we have travelled.
Is it thop marvellous that those of our
party who have musical gifts, sing with en-.
tlusiasm, in hotels, cars and steamboats, as
occasion offers, the simple but popular lines
commencing,
s"My country tits Of thee,
sweet land Of liberty.
OF thee ] sing"
And. amidst all the strange and beautiful
sights we behold in foreign climes, we feel,
with regard to our native land. as Goldsmith
expresses it. fA
.where'er i roam. whatever realms see,
My heart untrsvelled, fondly turns to thee"
A LoNG CAKRiAoE RIDE.
GENEVA, Aug. 6. We left Chamouni yes
tcrday morning at . O'Clock, in carriages of a
style novel to us. The first floor was . bag
gage room opening to the rear. In front Of
this. rode the driver, with three Of the party
on the same seat. Over the baggage room,
were four cross seats, with rails around, and
a cover overhead, but open At the sides.
Each seat admitted Of four passengers; 90
that the carriage accommodated 20 persons,
including the driver. II was = very pleasant
arrangement for travel and sightseeing, be-
ing sheltered from the rays Of the hot sun,
yet convenient for observation, and admira-
bly adartcd to sOciabilifv
The distance from Chamouni 70 Geneva is
more than 80 miles During the early part
Of the day, the route led NJ 4hrough wild
and picturesque country. The road was =
fine specimen of engineering, and must have
cost large sum Of money. At times Il vas
cut through solid rock, either BY funnel,
or by a deep cut on one or both sides. The
mountains were in sight most Of the way, Lift
ing up their grand old cliffs and cfaGs on
either hand The road wound around It the
base of tall peaks, and through deep valleys,
giving views of the loftiest heights from time