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

MI. hlPHl, July 10, louo.
1t is not an easy matter to break away from
Paris, especially if there are ladies in the
party; on the morning of the 18th, however,
we started for Switzerland. The scenery
along the way was both novel and interest
ing. The French method of farming is very
odd and primitive; as we passed through the
country we noticed them harvesting the
grain with cradles The arrangement Of
their crops is also peculiar, there are very
few fences and one sees strip Of wheat, one
of rye and another Of clover, oats, etc which
makes the scenic effect quite pretty, the gold
and green Of the wheat and rye contrasting
with dark border Of newly turned earth.
The buildings are rather poor booking and
the towns far apart
AT Belcfast we crossed the Swiss border
and here we got our first glimpse of the Alps
with It's snow capped mountains in the dis
lance, and the nearer foothills green with
pine trees and the pretty little chalcts dotted
around in the lower levels, made picture
long to be remembered Ir due time Lucernc
was reached at which place we went aboard
a boat for sail on lake Lucernc. This is
said to be the most beautiful lake IN Swi,zer
land. 1t is nearly II miles wide and 80
abrupt alc its windings and turnngs among
the mountains that at no time can you see
half mile ahead At times the mountains
seemed to close and bar our passage but
upon drawing nearer Il narrow passage way
was revealed The mountains are very steep
and impressive from the lake, towering up
in awful grandeur about seven thousand feet
and looking as though they might t0pple
over upon us at any moment. or that the
cottages and hamlets high up on their sides
might with the first gust Of wind, lose their
hold upon the rocks.
We landed at Nilzuen and soon after were
seated in an open car ready for the ascent OF
the Righi The railroad is similar to the one
at Mt. Washington. The track is laid at an
angle of about 80 degrees, rising about one
foot in three. The rear wheels are much
larger than the fore ones, and cogs in the
centre of the track hold the train while cog
wheel works in them The motion is slow
but steady and the view Of the surrounding
mountains and lakes as we gradually rise
! higher aud higher, becomes more and more
grand and imposing. We were fortunate in
reaching the top jdst as the sun was setting.
The reflection of his light threw pink glow
over the masses of clouds opposite which
surmounted the highest peaks and rosened
some of them It was hard to distinguish
between the earth and heaven. so near was
glory to our dust, 80 close seemed God to
man. Gradually the opaleecent tints faded
into pale gray and the panorama of mountain
and lake WAS rolled up and covered with the
dark curtain Of night. The next morning at
a o'clock VIC were awakened by the blowing
of an Alpine horn and after making hasty
toilet we were scrambling up to the most
convenient location to see the ushcrlng in of
the king of day. We were fortunate in hay.
ing clear sky, though the mists hung like
gray wells over the lower leycls. The whole
vast extent of 300 miles of mountains and
|
Of dozens of ranges rose sharply defined
against the pale blue Of the sky. In the
East bright band of cloud gave notice Of
his coming. One by one the peaks began to
| changing to bright Colors Of green and the
lakes below glowing with the crimson glory
| Of the morning. In front was range of
mountains covered with virgin whitencss,
the highest, 14500 feet. AT last ball of
fire came up from behind this range flooding
the scene with golden glory. Higher and
higher he scared into the heavens and peak
after peak caught the rays and glowed with
roseate light After breakfast we babe fare,
we'll to grand old Righi and started on the
descent.
AT Vitzucn We went on board boat to
explore the borders Of the lake. which are
said to be the scenes and exploits of William
Tell, the hero of Switzerland. On the east
ern bank on perpendicular rock which
rises from the water is an inscription in i'm =
mense golden letters, An Chautro de Tell,
and nearby, according to tradition, Furst,
StaufFacher and Melchthal, accompanied by
confederates from three of the cantons, met
on the 7th of November, 1907 for the purpose
of taking solemn oath to deliver their
country from the tyranny of their Austrian
oppressors Later we came to Tells Chapel
the Mecca of all Switzerland 1t is on a
small plateau bathed by the waters of the
lake and was erected in 1888, 81 years after
the death of Tell, we are told, in the presence
of ia persons who knew him personally 1t
is located in wild and romantic glen on the
very spot as tradition tells us where Tell