The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-09-13
WHEELING THROUGH EUROPE.
Some Particulars of the ElweII
bicycling Tour.

night from Europe. He Is as brown as nut.
That he has had good time is hardly neces-
sary to inquire after meeting him, for his
rugged and healthy appearance could scarce
ly indicate otherwise. With all other wheel
men, he Is firm believer that there is moth
Ing like cycling to tone up the system, and
his looks certainly confirm such views.
Mr. Higgins last evening gave an enter
tanning account of the last half of the tour.
He said Mr. Elwell's sudden departure for
home threw a veil Of sadness over the party
which lasted throughout the trip. He left
them at Lucerne From that point the party
went by steamer to the foot of Mt. Rigi, the
ascent of which was made by railroad.
Views going up are usually grand, but they
were so unfortunate as to have 1t shut in
foggy. Descending, they wheeled seven
miles along the shore Of the lake to Gersau
IA quaint old village having some fame as a
RESORT for lodging.
Next morning they sailed on the Lake OF
the Four Forest Cantons to Fluelen, where
the scenery is magnificent even for Switzer-
land. They went to Altorf and saw the
statue CT William Tell. They were there
before the government had expressed its dis
belief in the tradition relative to that
mythical hero's wondrous deeds. The ride
through the Axenstrasse, a beautiful forest
highway, he described as excelling anything
seen on the previous tour. 1t passes spots
where Tell is supposed to have performed
daring deeds, and the place where three
Cantons join,an is In every way interesting.
Brunnen, Zug and Zurich were successive
ly visited, the last mountain pass being sur
mounted about ten miles before entering the
latter city. Near there a famous sh ooting
tournament (he called it by some unpro-
nounceable name) was being held, noted
marksmen from many countries part icipa-
ting. The chief OF the military department
OF Switzerland was in the city, and grand
fete was in progress. The Illumination on
the lake at night was a gorgeous sight, hun
dreds of boats being adorned with Chinese
lanterns.
From thence they went to the magnificent
falls Of the Rhine at Neuhausen. The next
day they entered the German empire, and |
after descending the Valley Of Hell, weird |
place appropriately named, IN the Black |
Forest, stopped for the night at Freiburg.
Then they went to Treiburg. summer re-
sort in the heart Of the Black Forest. 1t was
uphill work getting there, but on the follow
ing day the run of 80 miles to Strassburs
was accomplished before dinner, the incline
being In their favor. To Baden-Baden the
road was superb. The city was very gay.
In the grounds adjoining the Conversation
haus (where once were renowned gaming
tables) large orchestra gives frequent con-
certs. When the leader recognized the
party he played several American airs, as he
did on the previous tour, compliment
which was highly appreciated.
From this point they dlverged from their
route so as to see the Passion Play. which
was the talk of all Europe, going by rail.
When they alighted from the train at Mu-
nioh thAu- uuArA hns4laa -4o-Iedss-s~-
crowd Of enthusiastic wheelmen who were
gathered in the deport. They were puzzled
to know what 1t all meant, until informed
by an interpreter that the annual meeting Of
the Bavarian Society of Cyclers was being
held in the city. They were cordially treat
ed, but couldn't stop long. OF the Passion
Play at Ober-Ammergau, Mr.. Higgins spoke |
in glowing terms. A letter written by anoth- |
or member of the party describing the spec
tacle has been published in the PRESS.
They returned to Baden-Baden for their
wheels, and then rode to Heidelberg, seeing |
the famous castle there. and having grand |
time in that city renowned for its institu-
tions of learning. Frankfort-on-Main he
spoke of as the cleanest city in Germany
They visited a wonderful palm garden there.
Weisbaden is watering place with many
fine residences, aud Mayence an interesting
city. Here they stopped over Sunday.
Then they followed the Rhine down to
"fair Bingen," where Wilkinson read a par
aphrase on Mrs. NoItOn's familiar poem,
every stanza containing joking reference to
the hobby of some member 'at Bingen on
the Rhine" The German National mOnu-
ment is just across the river, and was visited
by many The ride along the bank Of the
and castellated Rhine was more
than could easily be told. Sew
eral visited the Rheinstein castle, which was
built before 1879. 1t is In a good state Of
having been restored early in
this century by Prince Frederick Of Prussia.
Coblenz was the destination for the night,
Just opposite which Is the famous fortress,
the Gibraltar of the Rhine,
which they looked over. Then they went
by steamer to Cologne, thence over fine
road to Dusseldorf, wheeling along at the
rate of IA miles an hour without exertion. A
train took the patty to Rotterdam, where all
were much interested in the curious Dutch
scenery and customs. They rode along the
dykes to The Hague. the residence Of the
King magnificent city.
From Rotterdam they crossed the Moth
sea to London, arriving August 10Th. The
party broke up with a dinner that night at
the High Holborn restaurant. the finest In
the world. Everybody made speech, Will
klnson read poem entitled, "We are Break
ing Up Tonight" and they had grand
time generally. Mr.. Higgins says they were /
a model party, and from all we can hear
they warmly praised the management of the
tour. The American wheels, which were
ridden by most Of the party. gave entire sat