LUCERNE THE BEAUTIFUL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6735, 11 October 1928, Page 11

LUCERNE THE BEAUTIFUL

MRS. HANSEL DESCRIBES FAMOUS SWISS TOWN. In summing up her impressions of ono of the most famous and interesting towns in the whole of Switzerland, Mrs. M. Hansel, already well known to our readers through her descriptions of Venice and the country of Switzerland, has rightly called Lucerne “The Beautiful.’’ This wonderful old town, situated at one , end of the Lake of Lucerne, with all the snow-capped mountains standing at attention, as it were, like huge sentinels, is right in the midst of the “Playground of Europe,” she writes. Lucerne dates back to the year 750 when a Benedictine Monastery was situated where the present Cathedral now stands, so that really there is to be found there a combination of both the old and the new. The Erldge. The quaint old covered-in wooden bridge, the interior of -which is decorated with triangular paintings, illustrating Swiss incidents and legends, is perhaps one of the most picturesque and interesting structures of its kind. It spans across the Eeuss, which arains the lake, to flow on through Switzerland into the Biver Aar, and thence on to the Biver Rhine. The paintings were executed at the beginning of the seventeenth century, when each member of the then council paid for a painting, while his coat of arms is also represented on the painting. One is struck by the quaint frescoes on the houses. This seems to be a most popular form of decoration and some Of the paintings are very beautiful. Many of the old houses to be seen near the Wine Market are old Guild Houses, one outstanding Guild house being that of the Butchers and Apothecaries. On the wall is the 'Latin'motto: “Love cannot be cured by herbs.” Memories of Wagner, Not far from here can, be seen the old Tavern of Duboli, which used to bo a favourite resort of Bichard Wagner. Over his favourite seat now hangs an autographed photograph of himself. ■ Wagner visited this tavern when ho lived at Tribsehen with Liszt’s daughter after his flight from Germany. It was during this time that he*wrote “The Master Singers.” ‘The Dying Lion.” One of the most impressive monuments to be seen,, probably the most impressive in the world, is the famous “Dying Lion,” carved out of rock near the Glacier Gardens. This beautiful work is by Lucas Ahorn, after the model by Thorwaldsen. A brief outline of the story of the dying lion is as follows: . /, From about the year 1471 the men of Switzerland were in the habit of being recruited from their own Cantons, and, serving under their own officers and colours, being hired out as mercenary soldiers for any'cause as long as they received their pay. Louis XI. of France, was tho first King of that country to employ them, ills example being followed by all subse-quent-kings down tq Charles X. Twen-ty-one . years after the commencement of this ‘hired, out”- system, when the revolution took place in France and the Paris mob attacked the Tuileries with the idea of capturing Louis XVI; and- Mario Antoinette, the Swiss Guard of 800 men were on duty and were ’ given, orders to hold the palace. These ' very brave men certainly kept the crowd at bay, but were eventually all slain. It was a very tragic event, as the king and queen, for . whom they gave their lives really betrayed them, for they surrendered and made their way to the National Assembly, without eountermandin'g the order to resist the mob of attackers. ■ The young lieutenant, Napoleon Bonapart, of the Republican Army, was a witness of this massacre, and was so decidedly impressed with such valour, that when he became Emperor he had his own Swiss Guard. The “Dying Lion” commemorates the bravery of the Swiss Guard. The Mountain Trains. j Mountain sight seeing - around Lucerne can be attempted by practically one and all. The mountain railways now make it possible for the less ro- : bust to ascend and enjoy sights which before were for the mountain climber only,.lt is simply marvellous to sec these mountain trains ascending the steepest inclines —and most thrilling to take a' mountain journey in one. One clambers in with the crowd and there is a mad stampede for a seat. Tn.season these are very popular trips. ; At last we’re off! —What a sensation! Upon looking upwards one feels like a human fly crawling up a wall, and on glancing backwards, one gasps, seem- } ing to gaze down, down into space, and i the next feeling is ‘safety first’ and one experiences a desire to jump out. But there is little fear of danger or accidents. The ascent is made 1 possible 'by the. huge, pinion wheel under j tho locomotive, which engages a rack running the entire length of the track between .the metals. The „.ne is always at the-lower end of -the train, whether' ascending or descending, so j as to prevent the possibility of the I couplings breaking. Tu addition to j this there arc well supplied brakes. j William Tell. I Around Lucerne is the William I Toll” country and on. the edge of the lake one can sec the 'William Tell Chapel. Tho authenticity of the fol- j lowing story has for a great number i of years been a topic for argument. I However, the Swiss not only believe it, ! but also teach it in their schools as j history. The Austrian Emperor of Germany,

Albrech, had put tyrannical bailiffs into the Forest States. These bailiffs were not only overocaring, but were supposed to have committed various atrocities and were, generally speaking, a source of irritation to the freemen. "Eventually three men from three forest states, with ten followers each, met in a clearing in the forest on the night of November 17, 1307, and there they took an oath to free themselves . of the tyrants,, .pledgingtheir lives for . each . other and their countiy. Among those present were William Tell and his yoiu-g,son, Walter.' As this popular mountaineer and his son were walking through the marketplace of Altdorf, they were stopped by some of 6 -sler’s men who drew Tell’s attention to a cap of we tyrant erected on a pole and were told they must bend tho knee to it. This, of course, Tell refused to do, and just then Gcsslcr himself came- on the scene. •-When informed of Toll’s refusal to bow, Gesslor, as a,-punishment, commanded that Tell shoot an apple off his son’s head, and if ho - refused, he and his son would be put to death. Having no option but to obey, Tell took two arrows, one of which he concealed in his jerkin.-However, he successfully accomplished the feat of splitting the apple, his son remaining unharmed. Gcsslcr then asked Tell why he took two arrows when only one was required. Tell tried to put off the answer, but was told if, he confessed his life would be spared. He then said that if- his first arrow had harmed his boy the second arrow was for the heart of the bailiff. Gcsslcr then said: “I will keep my knightly word, and spare your life, but I do not intend to live in fear of your arrows, Tell. You shall be placed where neither son noa- moon shall ever shine on you again.” Tell was thou bo'und and taken on to Gessler’s boat at Ffiielen with the idea of having, him. conveyed to his castle. However, when, they got as far as the Bay of Uri, a sudden storm,, so characteristic of that part ,of the lake, arose and. the only one capable of handling the boat was Tell. He was unbound and given command and he steered straight for the bank where there was a flat shelf of rock. Snatching up Ms bow and arrows he jumped ashore and at tho same time kicked the boat out into the lake again. In case Gesslcr escaped tho waters Tell made his way overland and awaited the tyrant and his men. -When lie rode up Toll shot him aiid the bailiff’s last words were: “This is Tell’s shaft.” Although William Tell lived to be eighty years of this is the only part of his life that actually concerns tho history of his country. Ho was drowned while trying to save the life of a young boy. His. son, Walter, entered a monastery, and his younger son was killed in battle. Thus the male side of the family died out.