Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-19
My Trip to Europe.


CHAxouNI, SAVOY, Aug. L. We had a
beautiful sunny day yesterday, with skies
clear. and all nature bright and smiling.
SABBATH IN CHAMoUNI.
The Catholic church is a handsome stone
building, of moderate size, not more than ten
or twelve rods northward from our hotel, and
with an open public square in front of it.
Services were held there at an early hour in
the forenoon. and were apparently attended
by many of the villagers. But directly be-
fore the church door, and about half way
from our hotel, a tent had been erected, and
. travelling show was on exhibition all day,
consisting, it was said. of monkeys and white
rats, and accompanied by drum and other
noisy music. One would imagine that any
devotions that were aimed at in the church,
would be considerably disturbed by the din
Of the music, and the coming and going of
the throng. But no one seemed to interfere
with the show, and it went on through the
sabbath, apparently with great success and
so far As could be discovered, the worship
pers, when they left the church, many of
them visited the show. The shops are all
open, and the racket in the streets is very
much the same as on week days. There is a
great display Of Mont Blanc pictures and
souvenirs in the shop windows.
The English (Episcopal) church is in the
opposite direction, nestled down by the banks
Of the Arve at the foot of Mont Blanc 1t is
= small, neat building of stone, and the IN
terror IL finished with hard wood up into the
roof. The seats are of modern style, and
quite convenient for the worshippers. The
house was well filed. Most of our party at.
tended, as well as many other tourists, Eng
lish and American. There were two clergy
men, the services were reverently performed,
the singing was congregational and very
pleasing. and the sermon was practical and
interesting felt that it was a profitable
and enjoyable occasion. The church stands
back from the public street, and has pretty
square In front of it, rich with green grass.
Here on the continent, it is well to have
places of worship ut some distance from the
noisy streets.
In the afternoon, about half of our party
assembled in one OF the rooms of the hotel.
and studied the International lesson for the
day, under the lead of Rev. DIR. Steele of Sa-
lem. We had two other clergymen of our
party with Us. also several laymen. and num-
Der Of our lady tourists. An English gentle
man. the conductor of an English party,
came in, and took part in the exercises. The
lesson was an interesting one, and the
hour or more occupied in its study was well
spent. At the close of the lesson, the Eng
lish gentleman recited Coleridge's "Hymn be-
fore sunrise in the vale of Chamouni,'' one
Of the finest ode, ever written
MOUNTAIN EXCURSIONS.
Hotel Flegiere, on Mount Flegiere, Anr.
AT o'clock, this (Monday) morning. five
Of our youngest and most vigorous gentle.
men started on their days excursion What
they proposed to do, was to walk along the
valley until they reached the road which
leads up to the Mer de Glaze, climb up about
5000 feet. cross the glacier, and come down
on the opposite side by the Mauvais Pas Cor
bad path Then they intended to cross the
valley, ascend the mountain on The north side
descend again, and return to the hotel. I
considered this too difficult and fatiguing an
undertaking for me-
Another party, including several ladies.
planned to start about . o'clock. ascend to
the Mer de Glace. get good view of it, and
eisner cross, or return by the same way they
went up.
~'"e ~~Sa~uS Va ootniutiiS ttit pcSt nr9ctl-
cable view Of Mont Blanc, and its surround
ings, including the Mer de Glaze, vet withou,
attempting too hard a climb became one of
. party of four who determined to ascend
Mount Flegiere, on the opposite side of the
valley from Mont Blanc. The other men,
befs Of this party were the Rev. DIR. Steele of
Salem, and Mr.. and Mrs. Haywood of Bos-
ton.
Having equipped ourselves for the occa-
sion with alpenstocks. colored glasses, and
light coverings for our hats, all of which
moet travellers in Switzerland learn to use.
We started about O'Clock in the morning,
The weather was fine and clear. and all
seemed favorable. The walk to the foot of
the mountain is about two miles from the vii
lage, through lovely surroundings, and in
full view Of al the sublime mountain scenery.
We pursued our course leisurely, having the
day before Us. The Hotel Flegiere, which
Ne atmed 70 reach, is about $500 feet higher
than the vale Of Chamouni, the later being
nearly $500 feet above the sea level. The
dtstance 70 be climbed is estimated at two
~ half miles. At the foot of the noun
tain.. We found . laborer who for
emau fee shouldered our coats
ed ~ laAy's shawls, and preceded US up