The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
CLIMBING THE RnmL
The Magnificent Panorama To Be Seen from
the Summit of this Noted Alp.

Rev. A a. Carrier, now in Europe, writes a
letter to Mr. c. NJ. Walker, of this city, from
which we are permitted to make the following
extract:
'ZURICH.-* One week ago to-day, We
had the privilege of standing at that command
ing point lthe summit of the Rhigil. and looking
down upon the wide panorama OF northern
Switzerland, with it's lakes. and forests, and
flowing streams, aud clustered villages.
spread like marvellous picture at our
feet, upon which the sun she'd it's softest
light. making happy contrast of highly illumi-l
mated portions with corresponding shadows.
There was lake Zug. down into tie green waters
of which it seemed as If we might let fall a
plummet 5000 feet sheer down; and not far
away, Lake Lucerne. with its cruciform waters,
almost as Immediately below US. The
view on this side alone, with its vari-
GUS points of beauty. seemed worth an
ocean veyage-but, lifting our eyes from that,
we mad but to turn our heads towards the south
ern horizon to see. what was yet more marvel
lous. the vast rangefof the snowy Alps, from MT.
Tents, near Appenzell, to the mighty submits
of the Bernese Overland. the Wetterhorn. the
Finster Aarhern. the Mouch, the Schreck-
horn, the Eizer and the Jungfrau.
We reached the TOP of the Rhigi just
in time to see the sun GO down over the distant
Jura mountains. shedding sunset glow upon
the clouds above the Alpine peaks, and upon
some of the rugged pinnacles OF rock over
the moment. into what seemed pillows OF flame.
When the light died out went back to our ho-
tel, 20 wait for the morning call, which should
summon us for the sun-rising. A quarter past
3 the Alpine horn sounded through the corridors
of the hotel, and with surprising speed men aud
women, very decorously dressed. were gathered
together again upon the summit. Now. above
the eastern Alps below narrow line
Gated the coming of the sun; a
line of brilliant fame grew into. an
arch of light: then, into an orb, and, siDguiarly
enough. the valley below as, kindled first, co.,
trary to all the approved standards concern
ing the mountain peaks catching the first morn
ing sunlight. But presently these. one after an
other, lighted their torches from the sun, except
where, in great folds of cloud drapery. as II
not yet ready to wake, some of the highest
kept themselves hidden. But from time to time
the clouds would part like vail, draw aside,
and .as concealed giant would show his face for
q moment. to vail it. perhaps, presently sgain.
And SO the scene declared itself, not In immov-
able rigidness-ali taken in at glance--eus with
constant changefulness of rock. and snow,
and cloud effect, with the increasing light
transferring il all. We watched this sunrise
transformation scene thus for two hours, and
then reluctantly went back to our pillows.
When we again for the normal activity OF
the day, the view was still as ever; and SO we
fingered on through the day, upon the
top of the mountain, freshly charmed at
every moment by some new combination,
Of the vast background of the Alpine peaks and
the white ''cumulus" clouds above them, which
seemed to carry their height up to the zenith
When we came down on the wonderful little
railway, with its toothed track, directly toward
the Lake Lucerne, into the placid waters Of
which we often seemed just ready
to plunge-at Luzerne itself, which We
reached by steamer-we found the city
decked with flags every where-upon buildings,
and bridges, and ratings, and arches, the COM
memoraton of the five hundredth anniversary
of Winkelreid's seifde~otion of himself to the
Austrian spears. to make a passage for his COM
rades to break through their ranks and win the
decisive victory of Tempact-it seemed like
coming face to face with our own Fourth of
July. inasmuch as red white and blue were the
colors, and the day was so nearly correspondents