The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-08-21
Aaaerspt gnte11igeuter.
IN FOREIGN LANDS.
carresnondence of The ntelliaeneer.

IN FOREIGN LANDS.
Correspondence of the IateNigencer.
The fame of the Swiss Alps $50 great
that the word xswitzerland has become
almost synonym for grand, majestic and
beautiful mountain scenery; and yet we
must remember that all of Switzerland
is not devoted to snow.capped mountains
and seas of ice, but that the Northern
portion of the country, comprising a
large share of its territorial extent, has
no high mountains, but is occupied by
broad plains, low hills and fertile valleys,
with thriving cities and villages and
densely populated rural districts. The
government is Republican in form, the
twenty-five cantons. with population
of about three millions, being united
under a constitution. Although We
frequently shearof the president Of the
Swiss Republic" there is sreally no'such
Office or officer in existence; no chief
executive being elected by the people,
but the SO called President" being sim.
ply chosen by the legislative body to
preside over its deliberations. Onsa war
: footing,its army,.in spite Of the.small
population, numbers over 200, 900 men,,
while Swiss soldiers have for centuries
been found in the armies Of almost every
nation in Europe, they being among the
few faithful mercenaries knownto history,
Zurich, where We left our readers in
our last letter, is one of the most flourish.
ing of the Swiss cities, its manufactures
of silk and cotton being especially i'm
portant. The lake at the foot of which
It is located, is twenty-five miles long,
and. from the city many beautiful views
may be obtained, while from the Uetli.
berg, 1865 feet above. the lake and
about five miles from the city, more
extended prospect is gained.
Leaving Zurich, We pass the little lake;
Zug, only nine miles in length by three
in breadth; 1 and shortly after reach
Lucerne, walled town, situated at the.
Western extremity of lake Lucerne,
whose outlet the Reuss river, q Clear,
dark stream, FLOWS, through the city.
Two of the four bridges which span the
riyesare very Old and quaint, the roof Of
the one nearest the lake being decorated
With;mose than $50 pictures, illustrating
patron saints of the place,
while the OTTER. is ornamented in the
same mannerwith the Dance of Death;;%n ;%
representing the grim messenger ~ as
present in every employment and pleas.
ure of life. The great attraction of the
town, however, is the Lion Of Lucerne." I"
This monument, which represents a lion.
pierced by a spear and dying with its
paw upon the Bourbon shield, was
designed by Thorwald ldsen; in memory .of:
nearly 800 officers and men Of the Swiss
guard, who fellin defending the Tuileries
at Paris, in Il and is cut into the
soidsfock Of itha mountain q short dis ::
tance from the clake. 1t is one of the
gfandest and. most impressive works of
! The kind which ever, came from the chisel
of the sculptor; and as q memorial to-
the fidelity and ,conrage Of the Swiss SOL
.diar in. foreign lands, as we'll as for its
SazSistM merits, it is justly pointed to
with pride blythe citizens of the city. :.
I, Lake Aucsrne, or the "Lake Of the
-Four. Forest Cantons," as it is sometimes
scslled, issby far the most beautiful Of all
the charming lakes Of Switzerland.
Deeply set among the green slopes of the
mountains, with their snowy peaks ris-
ing high in the distance, dotted here and
there with cultivated patches aud pictur-
esque Shalets; ,it is'a gem of.indescribable
,IoFeliuess.. IthssnDistands ofimportance,
but this deficiency is more than eompen.
stated for by the extreme irregularity OF.
ika shore line, its arms reaching out and
.claspipg stheg bases of the mountains in
ssefy direction. = From Lucerne, at the
Western extremity, ,.is g. most delightful
sail Of about three hours. Many points
on the lake, as we'll as throughout this
entire region, are associated -with-that
hero of Swiss legend illiamIe ell; and /,
although the modern historian may pro-
ncunce Tell a<mFth these ASSOCIATE ions
ara dear to- every Swiss heart and are
cherished With q tend etness and pride
which: spesks vol nmes IorS theiirsloHes
county. We pass d massive rock rising
frcm the lake; bearing an insc clption in:
honor of sedefick sehiile thes Bard Of
Tell. little father OF; small chapel
marks t6a6pots where ell said To- have
1esped fsan aessler,s bpst.. Two miles:
from Flueien is Altorf there Tell per-
formed his terrible feat Of farchery, statues.
Of himself ard sonmark King the;snpposed
location Of the fearful test. Returning
FROM Fl1elen, weland at Yisznau, at the
foot of the Rigi and take the raiIwaysto
the summit. = -
The. Rigi is not asingle peak, bnt is an
irregular shaped mountain whose base is
wsshsdT onIthree sides by theIwaters Of
4ake Iucerne.p y Although q mere dwarf,
compared with some of the giants of the
Alps, Its height being only about 5000
fest} its location is such as to give from
its, summit what is probably the finest
!; view in Switzerland. On ascending the,