The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-05-04

we must leave our villa on the
heights near S. Miniato for some cool retreat,
and Switzerland was decided upon. Our ap-
uroach thither was by Lago di Como, plan
ming to remain a few days at Tramezzo, where
the summer preceding we had enjoyed for
nearly two weeks, the conpanionship Of sew
eral American friends.
From Tramezzo we took steamer for Menag
ro crossed by the railroad to Porlezza on Lake
Iagano over which we sailed, past Lugano to
Capo di Lago and by the rack and pinion" rail-
road to Monte Generoso, conceded to offer the
widest, most varied, and beautiful expanse OF
mountain scenery in Switzerland, Its only rival
the Corner Graf
In our approach down the Lake of Lucerne
by the historic point where Tell jumped
ashore past the Rigi and the many SUBMITS
4 that rise from the shores of that historic lake.
Re began TO observe the wonderful results OF
y Swiss energy and ability. The rack and pinion
railroad takes one to the summit of Pilatus,
about 5000 feet altitude, where the night may
be passed in a large comfortable hotel, and
returns you to Lucerne next morning for the
moderate charge of twenty-five francs, COW
efing all charges for the excursion. The rack
ard piaion also ascends the Rigi some 5000
B Ieet, on whose SUBMITS are several good ho-
tells. The general impression made by such
ascent was we'll voiced, l think, by an Amer1-
can girl, whom overheard saying: Il was
really disappointed with the Rigi, but l am
gad Went up. for l should always have
thought had missed much If had not gone"
The funicular railroad takes one to Burgen-
slock, Stanserthorn. and also Sonnenberg and
Gutsch.
As, even in this age of travel not every
one goes to Switzerland. or has observed the
uiHerence In principle of construction between
me rack and pfnion and the fun1cular, l may
say mere that the former has middle rail on
.ae roadbed set with teeth deep and broad,
ana Inc motor car usually has four cylinders
WIN similar teeth. each cylinder so success
sVely revolving as to reciprocally insert its
'eeth between the teeth OF the middle rail,
ana SO force the car up. 1t usually descends
y gravity, controlled by brakes. in either
ease moving at very slow pace. rarely six
miies an hour. 1t Is obviously much safer
.naa Inc funlcular. having SO much more hold
e surface, and nowhere depending upon
@usie support. The funicular Is run by
suase cable on the principle of the elevator.
!. has the advantage Of being disable on much
.'seper grades than the rack and pinion can
" run on, even at an angle over 80 per cent.
Hale the rack and pinion seldom exceeds 70
wi cent, and usually runs at about 70 per
seas Both systems are armed with very er-
d ucent brakes. but in case OF mshap should
prefer to be on the rack and pinion."
Inc ascent Of the Wetterhorn is made by
Z A, eel suspended from cable dangling in mid
W. Inc ride across the S. Gothard from
1usano 10 Lucerne had been interesting. We
nste now to attempt even wilder pass, the
lung on our way to Interlaken, mainly TAX
~ over BY the rack and pinion" The de-
seplhent In the rural region is remarkable.
sla particularly in recent years. The view OF
80 suhsIrau from the park at Interlaken was
s AeaFiy as attractive as 1t was last year
s, lsn IN the very cool summer 1t was COM
4 s'sssH covered with glistening snow and ice
me courage and shrewdness of the Swiss
: shown in reaching out from the old estab
.s Asa cehters to new fields. selected because
Y 1her favorable exposures: sometimes an
moasaea by the funicular. or rack and pinion.
u, -. ies only over donkey path, and even
saoa lh.ies on foot. saas-Fee, for example. at
W. .ses ATTITUDE Is SO approached from the
lisp to zermatt
1, met gray-haired rector OF the Church
Ansahd and his grown daughters. who
80 80 ~ TO walk for five hours. mostly I'M
Ensss, from the station to Saas Fee The
as .s'lsh are particularly fond OF such pictur-
rat sae qaiet mountain resorts. But ! must
Ill -, 70 our ride to the Jungfrau. The last
Il AZ ''es and over Were through a tunnel cut
If n ~ soi>t rock, and the present terminus Is
SURF SOY a rock hundreds OF feet below the
th,oaae. me only light, air. and outlook are
rceE e 81 siue apertures cut through the solid
the mountainside Standing in the