The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-04-19


heights near s. Miniato for some cool retreat,
and Switzerland was decided upon. Our ap-
pfSach thither was by Lago di Como, plan
ming tc remain few days at Tramezzo, where
the summer preceding we had enjoyed for
nearly two weeks, the companionship of sew
eral American friends.
From TrameZzo we took steamer for Menag-
Hk6, crossed by the railroad to PorleZZa on Lake
Hhgano, 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
that rise from the shores of that historic lake,
began to observe the wonderful results OF
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 large comfortable hotel, and
returns you to Lucerne next morning for the
moderate charge Of twenty-five francs, COW
ering all charges for the excursion. The rack
and pinion also ascends the Rigi some 5000
feet. on whose SUBMITS are several good ho-
tells. The general impression made by such
ascent was well voiced think by an Ameri-
can girl, whom / overheard saying: Il was
really disappointed with the Rigi, but l am
glad | went up, for | should always have
thought had missed much II had not gone
The funicular railroad takes one to Burger
stock, Stanserthorn, and also Sonnenberg and
Gutsch.
AS, even in this age OF travel, not every
one goes to Switzerland, or has observed the
difference in principle of construction between
the rack and pinion and the funicular, l may
say here that the former has middle rail on
the roadbed set with teeth deep and broad,
and the motor usually has four cylinders
with similar teeth, each cylinder so success
sively revolving to recprocally insert its
teeth between the teeth Of the middle rail,
md so force the car up. 1t usually descends
by gravity, controlled by brakes, in either
moving at very slow pace, rarely six
miles an hour. 1t is obviously much safer
than the funicular, having so much more hold
ing surface and nowhere depending upon
single support The funicular is run by a
single cable on the principle Of the elevator.
1t has the advantage Of being disable on much
sleeper grades than the rack and pinion can
be run on, even at an angle over 80 per cent,
while the rack and pinion seldom exceeds 70
per cent. and usually runs at about 20 per
cent. Both systems are armed with very eff
fcient brakes but in case of mishap l should
prefer to be on the rack and pinion."
Tho ascent of the Wetterhorn is made by
car suspended from cable dangling in mid
air The ride across the s. Gothard from
Lugano to Lucerne had been interesting We
were now to attempt even wilder pass, the
Brunig on our way to Interlaken, mainly TAX
en- over by the rack and pnion.' The de-
velopment In the rural region is remarkable,
and particularly in recent years. The view or
the Jungfrau from the park at Interaken was
not nearly as attractive 1t was last year,
when in the very cool summer 1t was COM
pletely covered with glistening snow and ice.
The courage and shrewdness of the Swiss
is shown In reaching out from the old estab-
lished centers to new fields, selected because
of their favorable exposures; sometimes ap-
preached by the funicular, rack and pinion,
sometimes only over donkey path, and even
for miles on foot. Saas-Fee, for example, at
5000 feet altitude is approached from the
Visp to Zermatt
We met a gray haired rector of the Church
of England and his grown daughters, who
were all to walk for five hours, mostly up
grade from the station to Saas Fee. The
English are particularly fond of such pictur-
esuue quiet mountain resorts But l must
return to our ride to the Jungfrau. The last
six miles and over were through a tunnel cut
in the solid rock, and the present terminus is
In the solid rock, hundreds of feet below the
surface The only light, air, and outlook are
through wide apertures cut through the solid
rock of the nlountainside. Standing in the