The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-08-27
EUROPEAN LETTERS.
THE BEAUTIES OF SWITZER-
LANDS LOVELY LAKES,
And the Attractions of its Cities
Cheap and Delightful Bathing
ArIh'S IDerpendicUIar Railroad
Fin Route to I.uCerne.

And the Attractions of its Cities
Cheap and Delightful Bathing
ArIh'S Perpendicular Railroad
Fin Route to I,uCerHe.
RlIIGI SUMMIT, August 10, 1889.
Editor Citizen:-Our last to you de
Scribcd stop ovcrat adcn-Badcn, lcav-
ing which place we flew swiftly over Il
mountain railway, reminding us of our
own fine w. n. C., with its tracks run
ming in all directions and one above an
other; only here the sharp curves arc not
made at the head of a valley, as with us,
but almost always in the very heart OF
the mountain itself So that repeatedly
we would dash into tunnel with the sun
on our right and emerge with it on the
opposite side, showing acomplctc change
in direction. This steep ascent continued
for many miles, probably rising some OF
the foothills of the mighty Alps, and we
then emerge upon a beautiful upland
plain, SO gently undulating that one for
gets its altitude, dotted with little vii
lagos in which the heavy overhanging
roofs and curiously constructed houses
tell us that we are i'll Switzerland.
Some hours travel over this kind of
country brings us back to the banks OF
lll1 MINIS NV S' lIN'NN ihl ''N w Ni'N W II
before, but afiiording some beautiful cas-
cadcS in which the peculiar hue of its
water is made more manifest.
Really fatigucd by the mony beauties
we have cniovcd all day, we decide to rest
at Zurich Il pretty little city on lake OF
it's own name, and soon restored to our
pristine vigur by an excellent table d hotc
at the Hotel Bellevue au Lac, we sally
tab Ct
a bridge spanning little river and ad-
nirc the bright full moon as she sllycrS
the peaceful waters, and listen to sweet
music and singing which is waited to us
from a ncighhOring concert garden.
We hardly feel disposed for bed, but a
few hours sleep suffice, and after break
fast we again view the town and return
at noon to our favoritc position on the
bridge, gazing down into the depth of
waters and wonder of what species ar
the numerous strange looking fish that
are darting about so happily. Indeed,
what can prevent happiness whether to
fishes or men, in this place. We have al
ways heard land experienced that hap
pincSs attended godincSs, and that god
lincSS was next to cleanliness, and SO we
note with pleasure the bathing cstah-
lishmcnt near by, ahundantly pat
ronizcd, where for the small sum OF
twenty-five CentimcS tor rone nickel lwccan
enjoy Il most charming swim i'll the lake
and have all the accessories so essential
70 comfort
Another idea: Why not try a scheme
like this on our French Broad, and en-
courage our people to wash away the
dust Of ages and to emerge with bodies
pure and minds freed from the thralldom
fconvcntionalism ianaticiSm, Bourbon
ism and all other isms and intoleranccs
which so terribly damn our dear friends
and rctard every effort toward their clc-
walton and improvement.
At 1.3O, leaving sweet Zurich we reach
Zug, on it's own lake in two hours, and
find steamer awaiting to convey us
across this lovely sheet of water to Arth.
The lake is as clear and pure as one can
imagine; not translucent as some ot the
Florida lakes, but of a Silvcry green most
peculiar in shade, and the lofty mount
aims actually ovcrhang the water.
Chief of these to our eyes is the RhiGi,
which has its rugged sides i'll full view
and its top crowned by our hotel, to
which we are bound, looming up like Il
castle, 5000 feet above our heads.
Reaching Arth, we take an inclined
railway, as we are told, but rather we
should say a perpendicular one. In Il dis
tance Of four miles we ascend over 5000
feet. and as the grade is not continuous
we are sure that i'll some portions it must
ascend one foot in three. The locomotive
follows us and shoves upward with
many puff of distress, catching hold of
the center Cogged rail, and in an hour
lands us Oh the summit.
The sides at places most prccipItous
are composed of a most curious conglonl-
crate; small pebbles in huge masses,
bound together by material resembling
cement, and thus this whole mountain is
composed. We wished we could trans
port it by magic to Buncumbc. What a
Godsend it would be. 1t is the very best
material for macadam we ever saw and
could be worked with greatest case.
At Poyntz a large cXpansc of grazing
lands appears, and we are told that I'M
mcnsc quantities of butter and cheese are
here produced.
The forest growth resembles ours as
seen on top of Mitchell, Craggy or the
Roan-dense balsam, spruce, and an III
dcrgrowth of rowan, enlivcning ali
around it with its bright red berries.
On top we enjoy a magnificent view.
Five lakes sureound the Rhigi'S base, the
largest the Zug and Luccrne, on opposite
sides, each with its own little city, while
alar the lofty peaks Of the Alps tower
toward heaven, their tops and sides
white with eternal SHOWS, adorning them
as silver locks do lovely old age. But
again VIC are reminded of our own
mountains by the descending mist shut
ting out all chance of sunset, and then
clearing away to show the peaceful full
moon glimmering on the lakes, but only
to disappoint us again about the long
hoped for sunrise. This morning we are,
as it were, in pail, and can scarcely sec
a hundred feet around us. So we hasten
down on the opposite side by another
railway on the opposite side to seek Lu-
ccrne, whence you will hear from us
anon. T. w. p.