Year: 1872

Climbing the Mountain of Rhisi-sunset

 and Sunrise as Seen From the Summit A Swiss Locomotive-Lake of Como, etc., etc.

 At 2 o'clock in the afternoon we took the boat for Weggis, where we arrived in halt an hour. We found horses and guides waiting for us, and mounting our steeds, started off for the ascent of the Rhigi. The sun was fearfully hot as we drew near the top, but apart from the heat, the day was delightful, and the view grew more charm ing every moment. The path was well made, about five feet in width, graveled, and where it was requisite, protected by a hand rail. First we went through orchards, and after leaving them began to climb up the mountain. Sometimes across meadows then again across the face of the rocks, down which came streams of water some times under the cliffs of conglomerate pud- ding stone once through natural arch. way or tunnel formed by two enormous masses of stone, under whose friendly shel- ter " the best of her sex" and myself were glad to seek refuge for few moments from the heat of the sun. But, as the longest lane has turning, so the highest mountain has top, and in company with crowd oi equestrians and pedestrians, we rode up to the door of the Hotel du Rhigi-Koulm, thoroughly tired out and exhausted with our ride. After getting off our gallant steed, we felt as though we would be obliged to take our meals off of a mantle piece, standing, for several days, our eques- trian exercise not agreeing with us. To use the language of A. Ward, horseback riding up side hill "is not our forte.'' We found our telegram sent the day pre- vious had been received, and our room was ready for us. After taking survey of our quarters for the night, we walked to the brow of the mountain to view the scenery. The summit was covered with people, all attracted by one common object-to view the setting sun. The view is said to en- brace circuit of nearly three hundred miles. It is said that eleven lakes can be seen from the top of Rhigi, but we were only able to count nine. The Lake of the Four Cantons is so close to the foot of the mountain we were on, that it seemed as fl stone might be thrown into it without any exertion. Just as the sun was going down, an indifferent performer on the Al pine horn, an instrument about seven feet long, awoke the echoes, and sorely tried the temper of his hearers by his ill-timed and unmusical exertions. The evening was comparatively clear, and it afforded us an excellent view of perfectly clear horizon and nest magnificent panorama. Noun tains were to beseen on every hand. Snow clad summits, each with its name and his tory, and at cur feet, apparently, were towns, villages and lakes, although they were in reality many miles away from us. After the sun had set for us, we could yet see it lighting up the snow-capped tops of some of the loftiest mountains of the Alps. Gradually it became darker and darker, the mist commenced rolling up from the valley, and as the air became damp and chilly, we all returned to the hotel to partake of the supper for which all had excellent appetites. We retired early, so as to get all tho rest possible, as VIC would be obliged to be up by 5:3O A. M. to see the sun rise. There was notice in the room requesting the guests "not to take the blankets off the bed when going out to see the sun rise.'

 Half an hour before sunrise 6 A. M.) we were awakened by the sound of the Alpine horn, which was blown by the performer of the previous evening, through all the railways of the hotel. At the first sound of it we were up and dressed in few mo- ments, and were out on the summit long before many of the disciples of Zoroaster were out of bed. All was noise, hustle and confusion. Time, represented by the sun, waits for no man, and that fact being patent to every one in the hotel. the result was that some very singular toilettes were to be seen, the principal costume of the ladies being waterproof cloaks, that covered a multitude of shortcomings in the toilette. Many stood, watch in hand, waiting for the first appearance of the great luminary. They reminded me Of the story of the coun- tryman who had just purchased a watch, and was waiting, as we were, to see the sun rise. After looking at his watch few moments and then turning his gaze to the east, he remarked to a friend who stood near him, Wall, If the sun is not up in five minutes, he's late" He evidently had more faith in that watch than he had in the sun itself As we stood waiting, the crowd kept coming out of the botel, and many were seen struggling up the hill who had been obliged to sleep at the hotel fur- ther down the mountain side, not being able to procure accommodations at the Rhigi- Koulm. For the time being, the great hotel was without guest. We should judge there were about three hundred per- sons on the summit at sunrise. Just as the first faint streak of light in the east proclaimed the birth of another day. party of Swiss peasants, male and female, com menced singing hymn, which sounded very sweetly. As the sun rose higher, the horizon began to redden over the eastern range of mountains, and then the dawn stole on in such succession of deepening tints that nothing but the hues of the preceding sunset could be compared to it. But there is this great difference between sunrise and sunset, that the hues of sunset are every