[Illustration: PILATUS, SWITZERLAND.--This lofty mountain rises boldly in a rugged and imposing mass, almost isolated from the surrounding heights. Pilatus was formerly one of the best known Swiss mountains, but in later years it was supplanted by the Rigi. An inclined railway extends from the base to the summit, and is said to be one of the boldest undertakings of its kind ever carried through. Many legends are connected with Pilatus. One of the oldest is, that when Pontius Pilate was banished from Galilee he fled hither, and, in the bitterness of his remorse, drowned himself in the lake.] [Illustration: SIMPLON'S PASS, SWITZERLAND.--This is the first Alpine route after Brenner, constructed by order of Napoleon I. A good walker may easily outstrip the "diligence" in ascending from either side, especially if he takes short cuts. At the highest point of the Simplon is a large building, with a lofty flight of stairs, founded by Napoleon, for the reception of travelers, and subject to the same rules as that of the Great St. Bernard. This famous mountain-road is seen in the foreground passing through the town of Simplon, a little village in the very heart of the Alps.] [Illustration: ZERMATT AND THE MATTERHORN, SWITZERLAND.--The former lies in a green valley, with pine-clad slopes, while to the left rises the huge rock-pyramid of the Matterhorn. In no other locality is the traveler so completely admitted into the heart of the Alpine world as here. The Matterhorn was ascended for the first time on the 14th of July, 1865, but the ascent is now frequently made. The rock has been blasted at the most difficult points, and a rope attached to it, so that the most formidable difficulties have been removed; but even now the ascent is seldom made by any but proficient climbers.] [Illustration: CHAMOUNIX AND MONT BLANC.--This Alpine valley is much frequented in summer, owing to its immediate proximity to Mont Blanc. It is inferior in picturesqueness to some other portions of Switzerland, but superior in grandeur of its glaciers, in which respect it has no rival but Zermatt. The picture shows the little village of Chamounix, with its few hotels and peasant homes in the valley below, and the perpetual ice and snow in the background, seemingly but a few minutes' walk away, yet requiring a good two hours' journey on mule-back. Apparent Alpine distances are very deceptive.]