2 20 
SCENERY OF SWITZERLAND. 
years it has lost much in human interest, first by the 
fall of the picturesque arch of the ancient Devil’s 
Bridge, which perhaps was inevitable, and secondly 
by the construction of great fortifications which sadly 
mar the grandeur of the scene. 
Certainly, as Forbes justly observed, “there is 
nothing more jarring to the impressions of stern 
grandeur and vast solitude than the not unfrequent 
occurrence of military works in many parts of the 
Alps.”* I am far, however, from blaming the Swiss 
Government; the responsibility does not rest with 
them, but with the great military powers which, if 
they continue their present policy, will bring Europe 
to bankruptcy and ruin. 
Urserenthal. 
On emerging from the Urnerloch we find our- 
selves on a most interesting spot. Suddenly the 
whole character of the scenery changes. We leave a 
narrow, wild, precipitous gorge, with a foaming river, 
more or less blocked by great masses of Gneiss and 
Granite fallen from the mountain sides above; we 
emerge on a tame, wide, flat, rather dreary plain. 
Travels thro^l.gh the Alps. When I was last there the 
rocks were also desecrated by some monstrous advertisements. 
It is to be hoped, however, that these are only temporary. 
