Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-25

NO. 73.
Dailp Kennrbtr .JournaI.
fContinaed-1
MI TRIP 10 EuRoPI.
voYAex ON rHK LAKE.

NONASk On THE LANE.
Andcrmaft, Switzerland, July s9.-We en-
barked on a lake streamcr from vitsuau ycster>
day, and proceeded southeasterly. Amer
touching at several little villages on each
side of Lake Lnccrnc, We rounded point,
and entered section Of the lake which ex-
tends southcrly and takes the name Of Ur.
ner or Cri. The mountains on either hand
are very near, often rising directly from the
lake. and assuming great variety Of shapes
of cliffs and peaks, some rocky and abrupt.
others with wooded or cultivated slopes, and
not a few with snowy crowns. There arr
villages on each shore, wherever the noun
tsins recedc little from the margin Of the
lake. On one side, a railroad runs along on
the bank, with frequent tunnels and high en-
bankmerts. The wonderful industry and
perseverance Of the Swiss, to force the land
to produce under difficulties apparently insur-
eau but excite admiration and
surprise. Houses are built, and fields and
pastures occupied, on hillsides that seem al
most inaccessible. But the sublime and d.
versifcd mountain views, have no language
to describe.
We passed the plateau where ii is said the
Swiss patriots took an oath to sustain William
Tell against the tyranny Of Gessler. We saw
also the chapel erected on the opposite side
Of the lake, at point where II is asserted
that he leaped from the boat after he had
shot the arrow. II any of our party enter
tanned dopbts Of the history Of Tell and Of
his achievements, il would not have been
wise to express them in the very theatre OF
his fame. For my part, l prefer to believe
in William Tell, and that he was his country's
deiiverer. Yet some, in their great wisdom,
deem the whole story a myth. Others, II
not tho same, think John Hampden was .
rogue, instead Of patriot; that Lord Bacon
wrote Shakespeare's plays; and that stroll
ing minstrels were the authors Of the Iliad
and Odyssey. instead of ''The blind old bard
of Scios rocky isle" Faith may degenerate
into credulity and superstition. hut nothing
can equal the absurdties Of unfaith.
DILIeENcEs.
We landed at Fluelen, and took the gov.
ernment carriages that traverse the ST. Goth
ard military road. The Swiss or French
diligence would be called in America sim
gular vehicle. II has, next behind the tlriv-
er. and on level with him. two seats, which
are considered first class, with sort Of
chaise top to be put up or down. Then
there are In the middle Of the carriage. and
on lower grade, seats for four in a sort Of
coach with stationary top, two riding back
ward and these seats are second class. There
are three windows on each side, which may
be opened or closed. and the seats are very com.
Portable. Behind this compartment, there 3
another raised up carriage with seats for
four, two facing backwards, and this has .
chaise top to let down or raise up, and 10
deemed third class. Single passengers pay
prices according to the class. But we rode
as party, and seated ourselves indiscrimi.
nately. Our party occupied four carriages,
our luggage.
We went through the village Of Altorf, the
capital of the canton of Uri, small, and not
very populous place. Here was monument
standing on the spot where Tell il reputed
to have stood when he shot the arrow, and
fountain erected where his son was bound To
a tree with the apple on his head You may
judge whether it would not be treason here
to doubt the story Of Tell.
ST. GoTHARD RoAD.
The diligences proceeded all day along the
st. Gothard government road, well construc-
ted. hard and smooth. II passes through u
narrow valley, with high mountains on eith-
eE l<OokiUk Out upOu uItbc uiOuUt1buN
hour after hour, many of the most elevated
peakes covered with snow, and often the
ravines on their sides filled with It likewise,
all the mountain scenery one has witnessed
before seems to dwindle into comparative in
significance. The 'wildness, grandeur and
wonderful variety of forms exhibited by these
impresses you with continual sur
prise and enthusiasm. All the while that
YOU are gazing at the snow crowned peaks
that rise to the right and left, the July sun II
pouring its burning rays upon you and your
immediate surroundings, and with snOw
banks above you on either hand, you are suf-
fering with the sultry atmosphere Of midsum-
mer.
The road VIC are travelling ascends slowly
and gradually, but continually, 80 that at
night we were. at ABdermalt, nearly 5000
feet above the level of the ocean, and within
1000 feet Of the height of the summit Of Righi.
Yet, though drawing nearer and nearer to the
snow, the heat Of the sun was more annoy
ing than any sensation we felt ofcold. For
the first time in our whole journey, we expe-
rienced some Inconvenience from dust, but
it was very slight.
All along this narrow valley, the Swiss
live, and every practicable acre Of land is
cultivated or pastufcd. But their houses are
mean end poor, with rooms for their cattle
either in the basement, or in the rear part Of
the dwelling. Gangs Of men were at work
from point to point, on the mountain slopes,
constructing railroad, building bank walls,
and cutting tunnels through the rocks and
crags. This road apparently il intended TO
take the travel by this route. 1t Il dificult
and expensive undertaking, and one which
requires frst-class engineering. When COM
pleted, the journey which took us all day in
diligences, will be easily made in less than
twn hours.
We reached Andermalf at night. Oddly
enough our government carriages passed d.
rccfIy by the hotel where We were 10 stop.
and left rs quarter Of "a mile or more be-
vond, at their station. This was one of the
beauties Of red tape. Government diIigences
could not evenl leave passengers anywhere
bat at the station. So we got out and walk
ed back 70 the hotel, rejoicing that We bad
measured OF the due length Of government
tape.
viesch, July, SO Yesterday, We took our
breakfast At the early hour Of half past 5
o'clock, and soon Afterwards renewed oar
journey. Our carriages were goverument
carriages. but somewhat lighter than those
Of the day before. We continued oal
ascent o. the St. Goddard road until VI
reached, II shout II O'Clock The belGht y
land which divi1ea the WafePa Wh3eh H6nw II.