The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-03
THE FETE OF NARCIssUs.
4 Festival of May in n Fragrant
Vale of Switzerland.

A remarkably pretty fete takes place at
Montreux. In Switzerland. the 10Th and goth
OF this month. 1t is called the Fete des
Narcisses, and Is a glorification OF that
stately flower. so much admired every
where. do not know whether there Is any
place in the world where the poetic Mar
cissus blooms in wild state as 1t does on
the slopes of the mountains that overlook
the grim castle of Chillon. Anyone who
has taken the cog wheel railway up the
Rocher de Naye as far as Caux, in the mill
die Of May, or has driven to Les Avants
through those fields, white with the snowy
flower, or breathed the fragrant air, which
can easily be noticed three miles away, has
had an unforgettable experience.
1t has been the custom from time i'm
memorial for crowds of visitors to go to
Montreux at this season simply for the
pleasure OF picking these flowers. and on
Sundays one can see large procession Of
men. women, and children walking down
to The lake, carrying immense punches OF
the blossoms, exactly as IL they were
rather stiff babies, each bunch Of stems
having bit OF paper wrapped about the tip
to keep the sticky juice from soiling Sunday
clothes. This being the case. it Is not Won
derful that some four years ago the So
ciete des advertisements of Montreux de-
termined to utilize this custom and turn 1t
into local festival.
Montreux lies at the upper end Of Lake
Geneva, between Vevey and the point
where the Rhore debouches into the lake.
The mountains or both sides of the lake
crowd closer together to make the Rhone
valley, and the effect is most picturesque
The great snow-crowned mountain, the
Dent de Midi. with its seven points, domi-
hates the whole. On the north side the
Savoy mountains frown darkly of an after
noon, while the hills above Montreux,
snowy with the Narcissus flowers, shine in
the sunlight; above them tower grimly the
Rocher de Naye anad Dent du Jamin.
Imagine yourself on such a sunny after
noon seated with some thousands Of spec
tators in great amphitheatre of bearded
seats in the English garden. between the
hills and the glistening lake. Far below
you is a square platform. where a large
chorus is singing weird air. mingled with
the waling OF the winds. The singers are
all clothed in brown, gnome-like cloaks;
they represent the wintry earth. There is
a CLEAN of cheerier music, and party of
foreigners appear in the costumes Of divers
countries These are the Hiverants, the
winter visitors, to whom girls. in the cos
tune of Nice, offer southern roses. But
Montreux had better things in store for
them
The brown hoods of the chorus are
thrown back and CLEAN OF green appears.
The winds come, with gulls on their
heads-the tame gulls which frequent the
lakeside here and will catch bread from
your hand as you throw it in the air. The
swallows arrive. swooping In with a rush.
Does it detract from the poetry OF the
motion that you notice they are provided
with rubber-tired wheels? The brown
cloaks drop! The chorus are in shades of
green, with garlands of leaves on their
heads. Then come graceful dances by
groups of children, dressed TO represent
yio!ets. periwlnkles, mountain buttercups.
snowdrops, and, OF course, the Narcissus.
Then the sun-king arrives in his golden
chariot, and all ends with the flowers
bowling down and singing the welcome OF
the spring to him.
Music. words. ballets are all original, and
are carried out by the natives without pay
and with infinite delight. The ballet mis-
tress comes from the theatre at Geneva
and begins to instruct the little children
early In tho winter. The costumes are
beautiful, and the performers seem to en-
Joy 1t all. The Alpine glee clubs furnish
the singers
The performance over, those who are
wise will nibble at the Refreshments they
have brought, while tney enjoy the DlrG5
that fly around them, admire the flowers
and the blue ever-changing lake and the
glorious hills. Then, still sitting on our
benches. for which We have paid moder-
ate price, We see the grand defile, all the
performers. followed by allegorical cars.
carriages dressed with flowers. and bicycles
either amusingly turned into queer ami
mails or prettlIy decked with flowers. A
great many prizes are given. and foreigners
may compete. Some OF the cars show
much taste: some are only amusing.
Next comes the Battle Of Flowers in
which the Narclssus plays prominent
part. and there is continual throwing of
colored paper ribbons and confetti-the
modern kind. tiny disks of bright colored
paper In the avening there Is dance and
fireworks at the kursal. for those wkc are
not completely tired out.
Switzerland is so lovely in her May dress |
hat can well believe many will run away |
rom Paris and its attractions to breathe |
in the fresh, pure air and reyel amor the |
ovely wild flowers. to be seen ir any |
meadow before the first moving time. To |
hose l would say: Go to Montreux. enjoy |
his naive festival, even If you must be |
lack in Paris on Monday morning. 1t is
,nly one nights ride in the ears from the
EXPOSITION to those seats beside Lake Le-
nan.
SadIcr's Wells Doomed.