Arizona republican., 1907-06-15

26 feet wide and 20 feet high and cost s12.0O0,0O0. It took our train just fifteen minutes. running at the rate of 25 to 90 miles per hour. to come through the tunnel. More than 5000 feet directly over the tunnel Is Lake Sella. It's construction has stopped the travel over "St. Gothard Pass" by many thousands of tourists, though many yet take the pass by private conveyance. on account of the gran deur of the scenery.
 Imagine our surprise on arriving in Lucerne to find a railway station that would be an honor to New York or Chicago. I can't take time to describe it. Here We are in Lucerne. Beauti- ful of situation. Let us stand on the balcony to the windows of our rooms in the Hotel Gyger and take book. It is so situated, around a corner. that We have a view to three-quarters of the points of the compass. In any di- rection We look nature or art presents a beautiful picture. Many artistic houses and gardens can be seen in all directions. All kinds of shrubbery. shade trees and flowers abound and all the houses in sight are comfort able" looking, not palatial- To our front is beautiful Lake Lucerne, 1450 feet above sea level. on which ply 21 steamers. elegant saloon-boats with good restaurants on board. These steamers carry an average of over one million passengers each year. Many times during the day and late into the night can we hear the music of the bands on these steamers. dying away in the distance as the steamers go or sounding clearer and still clearer as they approach'the quay at the end of the, trip. Around the borders of the lake are many beautiful commodious hotels, summer resorts and comforta- ble country homes, made more beauti- ful by luxuriant gardens and well titled lands.
 Al night these summer resorts seem to be all on fire, so numerous and brilliant are the electric lights. Then beyond all these are the Alps in all their splendor and glory. Without moving from our balcony we can see more than one hundred miles of these snow-capped peaks, grand old sentinels they are. forming a magnificent back ground to d charming picture. one more beautiful than any artist can paint. Far to our left is seen the famous Rigi, long the highest accessi- ble point for enthusiastic climbers. Now those who prefer can go by cleo tric car. The hotels on it can be seen by aid of a glass in daytime or at night by the blaze of electric light. To our right looms up old, rugged Pilatus, so much admired by all. Once a her Iulean task to scale. now an electric car goes up nearly 5000 feet. But I can't describe to you all, as I see it. Come and see for yourself. The gran deur and beauty of this place are not unknown to the world. for the record shows that 25O.00O to 30OO00 persons annually visit this city.
 Lucerne is in the center of Switzer- land, the land noted for its numerous beautiful mountain lakes and magnif- icent mountain ranges of unsurpassed scenery, hence to see Switzerland one must see Lucerne. as truly as to see Italy one must see Rome. Here vis- itors from the old world and the new meet. all nationalities, all costumes, all customs.
 None need fear hotel aceommoda- ] this city, with from twenty to six hun dred beds each. Good hotels and at prices to suit any ones pocket-book. When one tires of sight seeing the best of advantages are offered for bathing in the lake. lawn tennis, fish ing, golf or boating.
 Before I close let me tell you of a visit to Mt. Rigi. From there We saw landscape of more than two hundred miles in diameter. including fourteen lakes, all the country on the north side of the Alps for many miles, the black forest toward the northern hori- zon and to the south the towering peaks of the main range. Cleaning lakes and rivers. towns. villages and beautiful lands were at our feet. while range upon range of lofty mountains surrounded us. If you ever go there be sure and stay till the close of day and look on the peaks of snow-capped mountains redden in the sunset glow, as though no longer cold but glowing with an internal fire, see the shadows of evening falling over the valleys and the lake assuring the appearance of a sea of glass. As you return to your iiobti yOu VIII Set iiisiiy TON DOdtS decorated with Chinese lanterns, glide hitEer and thither, while the songs of their occupants will be heard far across the darkening waters. You will say the day and evening have been well spent and you will be thankful that you enjoyed the privilege of vis- iting beautiful Lucerne.
 Except part of our time in Madeira, in Seville, in Carlo, in Rome and in Florence we have found no weather to equal Salt River Valley winter.
 During our stay in Rome we were privileged to see the pope and most cordially grasp his hand. He has a most kindly face and is a good man. We also learned that the American ambassador in Rome is strong friend and admirer of MT. Frank Murphy of Arizona. But enough for this time. We keep well and are having a good time. Remember us kindly to all our friends. Fraternally yours.
 ApCuIpAI MpSnN