Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-05-06
THE BAsTEI.
A TRIP TO THE SAXON AND BOHEMIAN
SWITZERLAND.
Scenes by the way-The DEVILS Kitchen
Colossal Rocks-In the Depths
Mammoth Bridge.
Icorrespondence OF the RECORD UsroS.l

lCorrespondence OF the RECORD Usros.l
DRESDEN, April 3, 1882.
To the Bastei To the Bastei Over
and over again resounded the cry, and still
we did not comprehend that this reveille
contained promise of glorious revela-
ton, far reaching panorama OF everlasting 6
hills and gigantic rocks; rocks and hills
that have endured the violence OF the ele-
ments since the world began. Every day
I am more thoroughly convinced that we
go through the world with cur eyes only
half open and when we actually do realize
what we might have enjoyed long ago, but
for our own blindness and stupidity, the
prayer rises involuptarily to our lips, so,
let US carry with us ears and eyes for the
time, and hearts for the occasion - Now
at the very sound of the word
sAcHsIsH BoHMIscHE sCHwEIz
A grand vision OF prodigious statues, giant
forms and fantastic shapes, all with staring
eyes and outspread arms, Immediately
springs up before our mental view, and we
are ready to grasp our umbrellas and start
at the faintest hint of a trip to the Bastei.
But finally one beautiful day in March
one of those days when mere existence is a
blessing party of us did conclude to
make an excursion into the Saxon Switzer.
land. Accordingly, at l o'clock we entered
the cars at Dresden, and were soon en-
route for the Bastei, which is the grand
eliminating point of this wonderful region.
We found others fully persuaded" fred
with the same laudable enthusiasm and
bent on the same expedition. Some spoke
German, some French, some English and
some American, for in foreign countries
English and American are two quite dis
tinct languages. Following the curve of
the winding Elbe for about three. quarters
of an hour, we arrived at Potscha, little
village on the left bank of the river, al
though the district known as Saxon
Switzerland began properly at Pirna. We
passed neat little villages and towns
on the way, all putting forth buds and
blossoms, glad of the sweet spring. time.
One especial object of interest was the
Or the lunatic asylum, on rocky promi-
nence at Pirna. This immense castle-like
building, rising SO majestically from its
solid foundation, with its widely
view of Saxony, looks inviting to sane as
well as crazy people and we almost felt
like saying, Il want. to 60 there, too y 1t
brought to mind the little song in "Fati.
nitza," by Suppe, who says: '' You are in
sane my child, and you must to Berlin" "
But the naughty little boys "darf nicht -"
! tdsre not) sing it in the streets, because
the policemen don't like it; and they i'm
medlately become interested in little
| bey who exercises his vocal organs on that
| little song. At Potscha we went down to
the bank of the river, and waited for the
coming of the queer old hat-boat, which
silently plies from shore to shore" 1t
neared the bank, stopped, about dozen
passengers embarked, and it pushed off
again, without any visible means of loco
motion. The peaceful flowing river, the
budding trees, singing birds, grassy banks
and pretty villages, all lent their charms,
as we seemed to drift along with the tide
and we devoutly wished that it were possi-
BILE to reach that invisible chain underneath
the boat (which we heard the boatman de.
scribIng to a passenger). and indefinitely
extend this delightful floating down the
river. But end things must, end howso'er
they may" and intangible fancies and
beautiful dreams were soon interrupted by
thump of the boat on the stone steps at
the other side !; and two by two, as the ami
mails went into the ark, we went out of the
boat, and scrambled up the stone steps to
the little village of Wehlen. This quaint
little village is celebrated for the remains
of an old fortress, which was built early
in the thirteenth century. 1t is said to be
one of the oldest on the Elbe; fortunately
it escaped destruction, but is now slowly
falling into decay. Just outside the vii
lage, before we commenced the ascent
proper, we passed through a narrow gate,
when presto about a dozen little, old,
bent, wizened-faced women appeared. So
like mountain witches did they look, that
involuntarily we glanced around for the
broomsticks /; but found only alpine stocks,
which the poor harmless women wanted to
sell. Already burdened with cloaks and
umbrellas, we concluded that these would
prove troublesome comforts. Since the
mountain, and it is always cool in the even
ing, it is absolutely necessary to be bur-
dened with these encumbrances.
THIS SLIGHT DISCOMFORT
Was soon forgotten, however, for ever more
and mere delightful became the mountain
path; grand old rocks loomed mp before US,
cool and inviting mossy banks appeared,
graceful ferns nodded and waved, perpen-
dicular rocks like mighty sentinels stood at
regular intervals, covered with that strange
yellow coating, which extended almost
within our reach, and about which Geinitz,
the scientist, has written so much; and
over whose origin the guides love to tell the
following tale When railroads were first
built in Germany and only few post
carriers were needed, the yellow clad
officials met and quarreled over the remain
ing positions; great battle ensued, and
as they beat each other the yellow dust from
their coats lodged up on the rocks, and has
remained there down to the present day.
However it may have originated, the light
yellow contrasts beautifully with the dark
green of the tall trees, through which no
sunny rays ever penetrate, and where
Birds in their branches high
Sing sweetest melody
Hidden from sight.
Taller grew the trees, darker the shadows,
loftier the rocks and narrower the paths,
till finally, with outstretched arms, we
could touch both the rocky walls at once.
How quiet and majestic seemed this mar
row way, where Through nature we
looked up to natures God" with never a
sound to distract save now and then the
ripple of tiny rivulet, the twitter of
happy birds, or the scampering of mount
ain children, who stood for moment and
gazed liked scared animals, then took to
their heels cloud of dust, the bottoms
of little bare feet, and all was silent and
grand again. "Shali we turn aside for a
few steps and visit the DEVILS kitchen =
u l. i 1aE