The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-08

IyTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND, August TO-
After very pleasant day spent at the
ancient town Of Berne, we LEFT early yes
terday afternoon for Iuterlaken, and were
soon fyiug along around the tall and
snowy giants OF the Oberland. The val
leys through which the railway passes are
broad and well cultivated, the grape cover
ing the foothills OF the mountains. Occa-
sionally we would pass mountain with its
peak covered with snow, extending also
far down Its sides. 1t Is surprising to see
such luxurious vegetation In what we
would suppose to be region so forbidding'
THE LAKE OF THUS.
A run OF about two hours brought us TO
the ancient town OF Thun, situated at the
head OF the beautiful lake OF that name.
Th,ln has population OF about 5000, and
some very comfortable hotels. Ii is ira
yersed by the river Aar, and during our
short STAY We found its principal street its
principal curiosity. though it is fayorite
stoIping-placc for parties OF mountain ex-
plorers, many OF which make their head
quarters at Thun.
We found very fine steamer waiting Tor
us at Thun-fully as large as one OF our
Eastern-Shore steamers-with spacious
upper-deck for the accommodation OF pas
sengers. When we got on board we found
nearly all the seats filled, fore and aft, with
tourists-English and Americans largely
edominating-among whom we observed
MFR. ]. Marshal Thomas and his lady, nee
Gregg, OF Baltimore, now on their wedding
tour through Europe.
The Lake OF Thun is ten and half miles
long, and at some points nearly two miles
broad. On each side OF the lake there is
constant succession OF rustic villages, and
here and there on the hillsides are some
very pretty villas, challets, and cottages.
surrounded by gardens fragrant with ilow-
ers and shrubbery, whilst The snow
capped mountains form background to
the view from the lake. On the southern
shore are two isolated mountains, named
the Niesen, 1900 feet high, and the Stock
horn 1900 feet. They are very striking
from their sharp and peculiar outline, the
former rising up like vast symmetrical
broad based pyramid; the other shooting
out into the western sky its huge terminal
horn. At n greater distance the loftier
Jungfrau, Mouch, and Eiger tower on high.
On the right Of the lake perpendicular
cliff was pointed out, in which is what is
called the Cavern OF st. Beatus, who
tradition says was the first to in
troduce Christianity into these parts.
OF course no old-iashioned saint could
have made his abode on the side OF
such q cliff situated in such a place,
with cascade issuing from it, without
having some strange legends also attached
90 il, which are told 10y the guides to those
who desire TO explore it. After passing a
little perpendicular headland there was
pointed out TO Us the castle OF the descend
ants Of Erlaeh, the hero OF Lawpen. Soon
after we passed the mouth Of the Aar, at
which point there was beautiful view Of
the Niesen and Blumlislap mountains, the
latter in its garb Of never-melting snow.
THE SARATOGA OF SWITZERLAND.
On reaching the head Of the Lake OF
Thun we found little depot, with loco
motive and train OF cars in waiting for us,
though we seemed to be hemmed in on all
sides by mountains from which no outlet
was visible. The cars were very elegant,
and all double-deckers, and were soon
filed by gay and merry party.
A run OF fifteen minutes brought
US TO the Interlaken depot, where
about thirty immense Omnibuses were
i'm waiting to carry Us to the different ho-
tells. 1t presented a bustling scene-as
much so as is often seen around the depots
OF our large cities. In few minutes we
reached the Victoria Hotel, which is an ex-
tensive establishment, much enlarged and
improved since our visit nine years ago.
Indeed, the whole place seems TO have I'M
dergone q radical change, there being few
old landmarks recognizable, except the
snow-clad Jungfrau which stands sentinel
over the town, looking as il it might slide
down and demolish things generally.
Interlaken is the great fashionable re-
sort Of Switzerland, something like our
Saratoga. 1t is admirably situated rs
resting-place for those who are a little
wearied of travel, and is surrounded by
many attractions OF both mountain and
lake for excursions. But fashion and
gaiety find their bones here, and the
pleasure will vote the town TO be OF
the most charming in Switzerland. There
is quite q large population, and many OF
the houses are built in the most perfect
Swiss style. Interlaken consists mainly
Of one-sided principal street, on which
are located all the hotels and boarding.
houses. With the exception OF the hotels
nearly all the houses are OF wood, with
overhanging caves, galleries, shingle roofs,
and ornamented with quaint carvings and
inscriptions. Some OF these houses bear
date 200 years ago, and yet look rs sound
as ever, though they are never painted.
From the doors OF the hotel it often hap
pens in the quiet OF eventide there may be
heard the peculiar sound produced by an
avalanche from one OF the neighboring
mountains. For in the vicinity Of Inter-
lakcn there are giant mountains, massive
glaciers, rushing cataracts, picturesque vii
lagos, green GASES, and the eyer-changeful
combinations Of Alpine nature in her most
lavish mood.
ATTRACTIONS AT INTERLAKEN.
The hotels OF lnterlaken are the finest i'm
Switzerland, and have their elevators and
their electric lights flashing out in every
direction. The Victoria has its dining
rooms and rotundas lit with it, as well as
the beautiful grounds around it. The
stores are also very numerous, and there
are many temptations TO spend money in
articles OF Swiss manufacture, from the
most minute figure in wood or the
horns OF the chamois to good-sized draw
ing-room tables and other articles Of
household furniture and ornamentation.
There are great numbers OF ex-
cursions TO be taken from here, the princi-
pal, which almost everybody visits, being
the Falls Of Giessbach and the Stubluch
Falls, over which the water leaps (when
there is any water TO leap) over 900 feet,
The town is situated on strip OF land
between the Lakes OF Brieze and Thun.
and there are abundance Of excursions on
these lakes, with fine boats to render them
agreeable and pleasant. Then there is the
Cursaal, with its reading-room, restaurant.
billiard-room and its constantly-running
balls, concerts, and other amusements
Opinions differ as TO the enjoyment Of a
heightened stay in Interlaken. While
one traveller OF merry, social, fashionable
turn OF mind win revel in its promenades,
biliiard-rooms, and concert-hals, and such
like, the thoughtful, medtatiye man will