ROUTE 104. ZURICH TO RORSCHACH AND LINDAU. Rail to Rorschach, 62 miles, 3 hours. Fares-10-20 francs, 7.20 francs, 5·10 francs. Steamboat on Lake Constance from Rorschach to Lindau, 1 hour. Fare-1 m. 65 pf. OR route from Zurich to Winterthur (16 m.) see page 429. There is but little of interest between Winterthur and St Gallen (254 miles) (Hotels: Hecht, Stieger). St Gallen, or St Gall, is one of the highest towns in Europe, the capital of the Canton, and an Episcopal See. The Benedictine Abbey was founded by St Gallus, an Irish monk, in the 7th century. Its library contains many valuable and interesting MSS. Of those mentioned in a catalogue compiled in the year 823, about 400 still exist. From St Gallen to Rorschach the line descends very rapidly, and we have fine views of Lake Con stance. Rorschach (6 miles) (Hotels: Sechof, Auker) is a busy town on the Bodlinzee. Above the town rises the old abbey of Marienburg. From the Rorschacher Berg there is a fine view embracing the whole of the lake. There are many interesting excursions in the neighbourhood. For description of Lindau, see page 573. ROUTE 105. ZURICH TO LUCERNE, 41 miles. First class, 7 francs; second, 4.90 francs; third, 3.50 francs. EAVING Zurich we reach AFFOLTERN (15) miles), near which, on the left, is the lake of Turl. Crossing the Lorze which flows out of the Lake of Egeri, we arrive at ZUG (24 miles) (Hotel: Hirsch). It is pleasantly situated on the Lake of Zug, and is surrounded by gardens and orchards. The lake is about 9 miles long, and 2 in width. (Steamers run to Arth, and connect with trains on the Arth-Rigi Railway to Rigi Kulm.) See page 443. LUCERNE (38 miles), (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST.") ARRIVAL-Omnibuses and porters from all the hotels meet the trains. Cab hire-For hour, 1 or 2 persons, 80 centimes; 3 or 4 persons, 1 fr. 20 c.; 1 hour, 2 fr. 50 e. Row boats, 75 c. per hour; each boatman, 75 c. ENGLISH CHURCH, every Sunday in summer. Presbyterian Service in the Maria-Hilf Church. It is situated on both banks of the Reuss, at the point where that river leaves the Lake. Its position is extremely picturesque, having the Lake of Lucerne spreading before it, Mount Pilate on the right, and the beautiful district of the Rigi in front, across the northern arm of the Lake. Lucerne is an ancient walled city. It is said to derive its name from a tower on the lake, in which a light was always kept HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF. PROPRIETORS-HAUSER BROTHERS. OPEN ALL THE YEAR. LIFT. LIFT. The largest Hotel in Switzerland; best situation on the Quay, near the Steamers and the Railway Station; with a splendid view of the celebrated Panorama of the Lake and Mountains. The high reputation which this Establishment enjoys among travellers, and especially English and American Families, is the best and strongest assurance of its superior arrangements and comfort. Its new immense Dining-room, with adjoining Garden saloon and large Parlour, attract the attention of every visitor. American, English, French, German, and Dutch newspapers. Reduced Prices (Pension) are made for prolonged residence in the early and latter part of the Season. Excellent warming system for winter. MESSRS HAUSER BROTHERS are also Proprietors of the well known LUZERNERHOF. which is conducted in the same style as the adjoining American Lifts, and also Electric Lights, have been recently added in both Hotels. burning. Amongst the public buildings are the Town-house, the Cathedral, the Church of the Jesuits, the Arsenal, Theatre, Lyceum, and Hospital. It has three curious bridges. The Muhlbrucke, a covered bridge over the Reuss, near the Arsenal, is decorated with paintings of "The Dance of Death;" the Reussbrucke is not covered, and is accessible to carriages; the Kappellbrucke, crossing the mouth of the Reuss, close to the lake, is adorned with paintings representing scenes in the lives of St Leger and St Maurice, and commemorating the heroic deeds of the Swiss. There is also a fourth bridge called the New Bridge, which is of modern construction. The CATHEDRAL contains some good paintings, and a fine organ. Performances every week day from 6 to 74 p.m., tickets 1 franc. The chief object of interest in Lucerne is the colossal LION sculptured on rock in a garden adjoining the town, in commemoration of the Swiss guards, who may be said to have suffered martyrdom in defence of their master, the King of France, at the beginning of the French Revolution. "It is a magnificent work of art, admirable in conception and execution." It is cut in high relief on the face of the living rock, and represents a lion wounded by a spear and dying, yet still seeking to protect the shield of France. The figure is of immense size, 28 ft. by 18 ft. The original idea of the monument was suggested by General Pfyffer, one of the surviving Swiss, but it was modelled by Thorwaldsen. Above the sculpture is inscribed the motto, "Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti,' and below it the names of the officers who fell, and the few survivors. Near the monument is the entrance to the Gletscher garten (fee, 1 franc), which contains curious remains of a glacier with holes formed by whirlpools, and rocks worn by the action of ice, discovered in 1872. Stauffer's Museum, of about 600 stuffed Alpine animals, is close by (fee, 1 franc). In the Rathaus is a Museum containing ancient and modern pictures, and an historical and art-industrial collection, besides antiquities found in the neighbourhood, armour, &c. Lucerne is the residence of the Papal Nuncio. It has no manufactures, and its business is restricted to the traffic in corn which is carried on weekly, the corn market being one of the largest in Switzerland. Lucerne became independent in 1332 and joined the Confederation. It dates from the 8th century, and was subject to the abbots of Murbach, who surrendered it to the house of Hapsburg. It was taken by the French in March 1798, and was for a short time the capital of the Helvetic Republic. It was the focus of the insurrection against the French which was suppressed in October 1802. As a Catholic Canton, Lucerne was very active on behalf of education by the Jesuits, 1844. The Lake of Lucerne is universally admitted to be the finest of all the Swiss lakes. It is of very irregular form, and its shores present a diversity of imposing and delightful scenery. Steamers ply from Lucerne to Fluelen several times a day, touching at intermediate places. The town by reason of its position upon the most beautiful of the Swiss lakes, its proximity to some of the most sublime mountain scenery of the Alps, the healthfulness of its climate and the exceptional excellence of its hotels, is more frequented by tourists and seekers after health and rest, than any of the Swiss villages. The promenades and drives in the vicinity are numerous and of ever varied interest, the lake affords delightful excursions, and within a short distance are the famous Rigi and Pilatus, from the summits of which the views are of the grandest description. Burgenstock, across the lake, is popular with invalids by reason of its isolated and quiet position. It is mostly patronised by Germans. Farther away is ENGELBERG, reached in about three hours from Lucerne by steamer to Stansstad and thence by carriage. It is also much frequented by German invalids. For further description of the Lake of Lucerne, see Route 107. ROUTE 106. THE RIG I. HE Rigi has become within a few years a much frequented resort, not only of tourists attracted there by the magnificent views to be had from various places on the mountain, but by persons seeking comfortable quarters in the many excellent hotels and pensions, where they may enjoy the grand scenery and breath the invigorating air of the mountains. The place of greatest resort is perhaps the RIGI KULM itself, which affords the most extended view. It is visited by sight-seers only, as the hotels are hardly comfortable for a long sojourn, owing to the confusion caused by the constantly changing crowds. An agreeable resting-place on the Rigi is the RIGI SCHEIDeck. From Lucerne the route to the Rigi is by steamer to VITZNAU, whence the Rigi Railway conveys passengers to the Kaltbad, a large summer hotel, rather more than half way up the mountain. From this point the railway goes in two directions; to the Kulm, and, to the right, along the mountain ridges, on a nearly level track, to the Rigi Scheideck. The first railway established on the Rigi was from Vitznau to the Staffelhohe (1871). It was continued to the Kulm in 1874. There are four departures a day from the 1st of July to the 15th of September, but in the crowded season, as many trains are despatched as are necessary to convey the passengers applying. The trains correspond with the steamers on the Lake of Lucerne -Ascent of the Rigi: time, 1 hour and 45 minutes; fare, 7 francs. Descent: time, 1 hour and 15 minutes; fare, 3.50 francs, The entire length of the track, from Vitznau to the Kulm, is 4 miles. The difference of the level between the two extreme points is 4,472 ft. A The train, formed of one single carriage, contains 54 seats. small engine of 120 horse power is placed, both in ascending and descending, below the carriage. On leaving the station of Vitznau, the ascent begins. The train skirts a perpendicular ledge of rocks, then, turning abruptly, follows a line parallel with the side of the mountain; then through a tunnel 250 ft. in length, and immediately afterwards reaches a bridge 260 ft. long and 75 ft. high. This bridge is built over the torrent of Schnurtobel, on two iron trestles of unequal height. At this point, the view is magnificent, extending over the whole of the Lake of Lucerne. We soon |