The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-01

Through tho Fost Hills OF the Ars-Geneva
Editorial Correspondence Baitimsre Americana
GENEVA, August 1o.--We reached this
beautiful and interesting city OF Switzer-
land shortly after Q O'Clock last evening,
having left Nichy Springs at half-past
o'clock In she morning, the time required
for the Journey beng orsr twelve hours,
and the distance ncsrly -four hundred miles.
1t was tedious and tiresomc ride, but the
country through which we passed was
very attractive.
TIE CITY or LYONS.
About half way ouovr route is the grand
old cby OF Lyons, noted as the greatest Of
all the silk-mauufacturing cities OF France.
We hoped 10 rnioya pleasant drive over
The city while waiting an hour and half
forfhe Geneva train, but was prevented by
one OF those constantly recurring baggage
troubles, which seem 10 be inevitable.
However, as the cars passed over the ele-
yeted roadway we had panoramic glance
OF its topography, but we regretted still
more our disappointment.
VvrcBY PRICES.
Before closing with Vichy, where we had
elegantly 1urnlSncU TOOnHS anu hON'fH"''"-
lions at the Hotel dies Baines, we were sur
prised on receiving orr bill, and came TO
the conclusion that Nichy compares very
fayorably in the matter OF charges with
any of our great watering-places. There
are five OF rs. and our entire bill for four
DAYS amounted TO 252 francs, little over
two dollars per day. There are other ho-
tells at much lower prices, and those who
take rooms and eat at restaurants can
enjoy Vichy at very cheap rate. Although
very few OF the guests are English or
American, there are always two or three OF
the walters at every hotel who can speak
English.
TUE ROAD TO LYONS.
ON entering the cars at Nichy we no.
ticed that the lamps in the roof of the cars
were all lighted, and expected that there
were a great many tunnels, but were not
prepared for the reality as TO number OF
length of the underground excavations.
For more than half the distance we scarcely
emerged from one tunnel and got our vi
sion concentrated on the beauties OF the
country through which we were passing
before we entered another. There was
much to be seen on the route, the land
seape being diversified with the tall
poplars, which, with the exception
OF frut-trees, seem to he almost
the only timber OF the country. The
cultivation was most perfect, but there
was not an agricultural machine to he seen,
the cutting Of grass being done by the
scythe, and the fail flying in the air throsh
ing wheat. Occasionally we got glimpse
OF a patch OF corn, not more than waist or
elbow-high, but In full tasscl and ear.
There were also some patches Of il sown
for fodder. but il was evident that there is |
cho 10 Il
in France. This peculiarly American pro- |
duct, even in its dwarfed and diminutivc |
condition, reminded us Of home and a good
dish OF hot corn.
As we approached Lyons the topography
Of the country was very rough and billy
and at times rocky. Interspersed among
the rocks were the beautiful villas of the
wealthy Lyonaise romantically located and
surrounded by gardens with grottoes and
fountains, presenting an arrangement of
floral beauties that was really charming.
These gardens were all on the steep hill
sides, and appeared from the cars to he
tilted UP for inspection, whilst the high
stone walls around them had the tops Of
their coping covered with Towering plants
In pots or urns. We finally emerged on the
banks of the river Rhone. and the city.
with ITS tall houses and taller domes and .
spires, could be seen in the distance. In
few minutes we were in the depot, and ,
found that we had one hour and hall to
wait, as there are no close connection Of !,
trains in Europe.
BAGGAGE BAGGAGE!!
With all our experience we find that
baggage troubles seem to be inevitable.
On leaving Vichy this morning we had our
baggage registered for Lyons, thinking we
would probably remain there overnight;
but when we reached Lyons concluded to '
go on TO Geneva, and imagined that it
would be very simple thing to have it
registered for Geneva. The cars for Gene {
Va were not to start fora hour and ia half, I
and we had planned TO get over the bag {
gage matter in ten minutes, take a drive {
OF an hour through the city, and return I
to the depot twenty minutes before {
the hour OF departure. But man proposes |
and baggage officials dispose. We found {
the baggage-four small trunks-a few min {
utes after our arrival, and We're told that I
1t would be taken TO the reSistering-room {
in ten minutes. On going TO this depart c
ment, at the other end OF the long depot q
II was not there. We went back where we I
had last seen it, but it was gone. On in i
quiry we were told that we would find it q
at the "depot des baggages." After much (
tribulation we found the bageagc-dcp0t, 5
ing baggage. a search in all the rooms Of |
the depot was then instituted, and in 4
doing this we travelled back and forth {
about mile and half, for the depot was :
almost quarter OF q mile long. A very plea :
SAINT SWISS lady, who had evidently much |
experience in travel, finally came to our t
rescue. After inquiring OF a half-dozen 1
officials she finally took lis back to the bag {
gage depot and OH presenting our regis Y
tration ticket the baggage was, after cor. T
siderable search, produced from some hid {
den recess OF this vas. concern. On pay- u
ing ABOUT i0ur cents charges on il we sue q
cecded III getting it on IA barrow to be con- a
Veyed 10 the registering room. On arriy- ]
inS there we were told that il would be t
registered in about ten minutes. On the il
expiration OF this time il was finally 4
weighed and registered, and another Fl
small charge made. Then. the man 4
with the barrow and the weighcrs all u
looked for fees, and it required four francs r
TO get rid OF them. What seemed strange V
was that all these beggars WORE the badge il
OF the company. We finally returned to h
the waiting-room, and found that Just one [
hour and nine minutes had been consumed I
In this simple business. We We're. there II
fore, compelled 10 forego our drive around 4
the city, had oar temper rufiled. and felt =
very much like saying some very rouob
fhings to the railroad officials, II we could o.
nave made them understand. II il had NOT "a
oeen Tor our kind Swiss friend, who fonnd 81
Us 10 DE "lnnOeents Abroad" we .sbouIJ r.
scarcely nave succeeded in time 10 take tbe II
train for Geneva '''A0 ''' II
ON TO GENEVA. h
AT balf.Dast z o,clocl tlo .,o. -. , III