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SWITZERLAND.

SKETCHES FROM A TRAVELLER'S NOTE-BOOK. Beu^onk, August, 31. — Long chains of snow-topped mountains, difficii.lt " passes," terrific gorges, noisy waterfalls, lovely lakes and valleys, are the things associated Avith the name of SAvitzerland. Some like the Avild mountain, some the pastoral valley ; some the placid lake, some the black j>rornontory by the dashing sea. And where it is not a matter of taste, it is often a matter of national prejudice. Each one's OAvn country possesses, not unfrequently, the grandest scenery. "Go to Switzerland," says one, "if you would see beautiful Nature." " Sail doAvn the Rhine," exclaims another. " Stay at home," says an Irishman, " and see Killaraey." Well, without hurting the national feelings of any one, it is not too much to say that no country in the world presents so much of physical variety as Switzerland. There you have, within a very small compass, the Avildest mountain scenery, the lovliest valleys, and the most charming lakes that can be found in the Avorld Avithin the same distance of each other. There you have different seasons at one time. It is January on the mountains Avhen the valleys look like harvest ; and the winter pines on the mountains — those mountains which " wear their caps of siioav in the presence of the regal sun" — throw their shadoAvs doAvn on the ripe grapes in the vales. Thus Switzerland couibines, in a very eminent degree, all the various features which Nature can give a land. The dress of the people is as varied as the scenes in Avhich they live. Their language, even, is in keeping Avith the scenic variety of the country, for they speak French, German or Italian, according as their cantons border on France, Germany or Italy. Indeed, the more intelligent of the people speak all three. From the hospice you look: down on Switzerland — on the long verdant valley that stretches across the middle of the country. It is a rare and lovely sight. Huge rocks present their rugged summits at every turn of the road ; forest trees cast their shadows around, and vistas reveal of the distant lakes and the silver-like rivulets of the valley. There you have variety under every shape and in every shade. The side of the mountain is glittering -with cataracts which foam and writhe at the base, then cast up a massive cloud of spray to which the sun's rays impart every hue of the rainbow. You are into the diligence again and dashing down the fearful mountain. Oh, it is terrific ! One slip of the horses at these sharp curves overhanging the gorges, would be inevitable death. I assure you you Avill not sleep much on your Avay down, your senses are alive indeed, and your nerves braced into the severest tension. Happy day "when Mount St. Go thard will be tunnelled, and you leave the fearful spot called " The Devil's Bridge" six thousand feet over your head ! Altorf receives yon at the foot of the mountain. Tell — if such ■ a man {Tel {/) J/ommc) cxcv lived — first saw the light near this place, and it is no wonder he loved the spot, for it is the SAveetest retreat in SAvitzerland. The mountains- — " Guards of Liberty" — around these are grand and worth loving- ; and the placid Lake of , Lucerne is smiling at their feet. But Lucerne is not always placid ; and the Swiss relate a story of Tell on the lake in a storm. It is this : William had been [ arrested, aud was being conveyed in n boat to the dungeon of • ! Kiissnacht. A storm arose, and the keepers grew afraid. They unbound Tell, whom they knew to be an expert boatman, and placed J him at the helm. He steered for a solitary table-rock which over- ; hung the most rapid and narrowest position of the lake, called . aloud for a redoubled effort at the sails, headed the boat suddenly ) for the rock, and, with a bound Avhich sent her back with an effort, f ! Avas on the rock and up the hill. Thus lie left his guardians to the j mercy of the stormy waters, and the stormier anger of (Messier. i Several little oratories adorn the banks of Lucerne — as indeed they - do the road-sides of Switzerland — but " Tell's Chapel" is the most _> venerated.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT18751210.2.11

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 7

Word Count
713

SWITZERLAND. New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 7

SWITZERLAND. New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 7