Correspondence

Zl'rich, Switzerland, Oct. 12, 1883. Editor Codriek : Although the weather was remarkably cool for the time of year while we were ia Rome and Naples, we foiind a delightful change in climate on returning nortli. We reinained tliree weeks in Paris, in which time we became quite well acquainted witli the ways of the Parisian and with the city in general. We saw also.examinations at the college of France Víctor Hugo, says: "Paris inontre toiijours les dents; quand il ne gronde pas, il rit." We found it, for the most part laughing, though a ripple of a dift'erent nature could now and then be perceivec beneath the suiface. The celebration o! the 14th of July, which corresponds to our 4th, although it is the anniversary of the taking of the Bastille, was said to be less enthusiastic than heretofore, and several papers, worthy, however, inclined to monarchial governinent, prophesy that the French Hcpublic has celebrated its last 14th. The events of the day were the inauguration of Moriee's Statue of the Republic (two hundred thousand spectators) and the illuniination of tho Palace Trocadero in the evening. President of the Republic took 110 part in the ceremonies excepting to ride in review of the troops in the ifternoon. In the decoration of the city the United States flag iigured conspieuously. Before leaving Paris we visited Bartholdi's gigantie statue of Liberty which is now nearly completed and is soon to be placed in New York harbor. I believe an arm of tliis statue was exhibited at the centen niai. The statue itself is one hundred and forty-two feet high, mucli larger than the celebrated colossus of Rhodes, and when placed on its pedestal the whole heiglit will be about three hundred feet. The statue is of copper and will be transported to America in three hundred pieces. For the last two weeks we have been enjoying the refreshing breezes and the scenery to be found only in Switzerland. I wonder not that the Switzer Is an independent being and proud of his native land. Here is the place for a summer's residence. We went from Paris to Lausanne, thence by boat toGeneva, visiting the home of Madame Be Stael at Coppet. From Geneva we went by six-horse coach to Chamonix; visited Glacierdes Biossons and Montanvert; crossed Mer de Glacé and Mauvais Pas; ascended Mout Blanc "through the telescope" a la Mark Twain ; walked from Chamonix to Martigny by Col de Balme and Tete Noire pass. We remained a night on Col de Balme, seven thousand two hundred feet above the sea. Had a splendid sun-rise. From Martigny we returncd to Lausanne, remaining a night near the Castle of Chillón, and visiting the beautiful town of Vevey. Of course we had to hear "The Storm" played on the celebrated oigan at Fribourg, and our next stay of any length was at Interlaken. From here we made excursions to Giessback Falls, to Lauterbrunnen and to Grindchvald. Concert and fireworks at Interlaken in the evening. We walked from Lauterbrunnen over the Wengernalp and the Sesser Sheideck to Grindelwald, and went two and a half hours out of our way to pluck Onaphalium Scontopodium, which is more commonly know by the name Kddvoeiss. We were several times in danger of breaking our necks, as it was after a shower, but we have become bold mountaineers and never turn back. Just before ascendingthe Wengernalp, near Staubach Fall, there chanced a pleasant little gathering of six American tourists, Prof. Freeman of Wisconsin University, who is a gradúate of Michigan University, a gentleman from Massachusetts, one from New York, one from the far west, and Mr. Butts and myself from Michigan. It was the first good vlsit we have had with Americans since we left home. Our next center for excursions was at Lucerne, from which we went by steamer to Tell's Chapell near Flullen, and walked some distance over the Axenstrasse, one of the finest drives in Europe. Froin Weggis we ascended to the Rigi-Kulni a pied which we accomplished in twohours and twenty minutes, one ten less than guide book time. We descended by rail in one hour ten. The Kulm is covered with excursionists night and day. We are now at Zurich, where the National Exposition of Switzerland is in full blast, and tor so small a country, I lliiuk the display good. Of course it is wanting in painting and sculpture. I was much interested in examination papers of ditt'erent schools, but spent most of my time exaruiningflowersandmossesfoundin our walks. We are favored witli expositions thls summer. We shall soon visit the "Electric Eposition" at Vienna, and the International exposition at Amsterdan. We go frora here to Schafl'hausen, tlien by the Rhine to Constance, across the lake to Gindan, tlien to Munich and Salzburg. From Liiiz we take a boat down the "boautiful blue Danube" to Vienna.