Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-08-16

tyrant Gessler was conveying him to prison.
| The Swiss seem to be thrifty and indus
trous people; they do the most beautiful
embroidery and wood carving which they
try to sell you at every conceivable place.
They are great linguisls. speaking fluently
four languages, French, German, Italian and
English, German beng the most common.
| The charm of Switzerland. next to its natural
scenery is the air Of prosperity, the neatness
and sense of proprietorship imprinted on the
people. and their dwellings. They generally
own their homes and are constantly trying
to make them more attractive In the farm.
ing sections everybody seems to be working,
men, women and children. The women are
brighter and more intelligent than the men.
This was noticeable especially among the
middle and lower classes. The hotels are
good they are neat, clean and comfortable.
At Flucen, the place where Tell is said to
have shot the apple from his sons head and
which shot gave freedom to Switzerland, is
marked by fountain and statue of Tell.
We took the train from here to Andermat
at which place we secured a large carriage
drawn by five horses and started for the
great Rhone glacier, distance of II miles
On our way up we could see cattle and goats
feeding on the hillsides, and women making
hay on the precipitous sides Of the hills.
Owing to the short seaso nat most not over
9 months-these people who live in this
mountain fastness have rather q hard time.
About the only things they can raise are hay
and potatoes and their diet consists of black
bread baked every 8 months, milk, cheese,
and potatoes. AS we approached the top,
short turn IN the road opened the most beau
tiful view OF the Bcrnese Overland, while far
below was the Grimel pass. Nothing can
surpass in sublimity of this view as the west
ern horizon is partly yelled with thin clouds
The mountains glowed from base upwards
as if illuminated by bright internal fire.
A little further on and we descend Il steep
and narrow path and are in the midst of this
great sea Of ice, with its immense crcviCeS
which we tried to penetrate with our curious
eyes and which showed to us beautiful blue
color as far as the eye could reach. The
surface of the glacier is irregular and looks
as if the sea had frozen while in motion; at
places 1t looks blue, at Others dirty white
and above where the snow starts from the
mountain it is brilliant and glittcling as the
sun strikes it. We were Ovcrtaken here by
hailstorm which later turned to rain and
gave us a good drenching before we could
reach the hotel. After resting, changing our
clothing and getting our dinner, we were
ready for the descent. After passing the
most dangerous places persuaded the driver
with whom was riding in front, to give me
the lines and enjoyed the novel sensation of
guiding five horses over an Alpine road
On our way the next morning we passed
through the ST. Gothard tunnel. which, with
the exception of being warm, was not other
wise uncomfortable as it is artificialy venti-
lated. The scenery all along the way was
interesting; frowning walls of solid rock EN-
closed the road nearly all the way, opening
now and then to reveal lovely little valleys
green with vines and grass. At some places
it looked as if the walls Of the rocky cliffs
had met in front and swallowed the intrud-
ing road which crept within its jaws, but
oven emhankments and grooves, in sheer
upright rocks and cuts the road lodges, as it
were, the difficulties, and works its torturous
way along. 1t was grand spectacle but it
requires energy and enthusiasm to counter
balance the fatigue Of Alpine journeyng, and
yet we have enjoyed every moment of our
stay IN this glorious little republic situated
in the very heart of Europe with its people
full of the love Of independence, and their
intense affection for their native land.
We are now en- route for Rome from
which place we will send our next letter.
f. A. MATTHIAS.