Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/581

* LUCERNE. LUCERNE, l.'Ki-sern', Fr. pron. lu'sAni'. The capital of the Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, situated on the Keuss, where it issues from the northwest extremity of the Lake of Lucerne ( Map : Switzerland, CI). Its location in an amphi- theatre of mountains, including the Higi and I'ilatus, and its mediaeval towers and walls, make it one of the most interesting and ])ioturesiiue towns in Switzerland. It is favored besides by a mild climate. Lucerne is divided by the river into two parts, connected by five bridges, of which two are covered, mediaeval slnielures painted with scenes from the lives of the patron saints of Lucerne and with a "Dance of Death." Broad quays lined with rows of chestnut-trees stretch along the northern lake shore where the new town lies, with broad streets and squares lighted by electricity. The Quai National and the Sehweizerhof Quay are splendid promenades, af- fording justly celebrated views of the neighbor- ing peaks and the green sweep of the lake. The older portion of the city extends along the south- ern bank of the river, and is built after the mediaeval fashion, with crooked, narrow thor- oughfares and old-fashioned houses. Of the churches the finest is the ■Hofkirche,' with two slender towers erected in 1.506. Its organ is famous for the purity of its tones. The town hall dates from the seventeenth century, and contains an antiquarian and an art collection. Its stained glass is noteworthy. The most noted memorial the town possesses is the famous "Dy- ing Lion of Lucerne." carved out of the side of a grotto from a model by Thorwaldsen, to com- memorate the defense of the Tuilcries in Paris, August 10, 170'2, by the Swiss CJuards. who were massacred by the infuriated mob. The lion is nearly thirty feet in length. The adjacent Glacier Garden is also a unique attraction. Among the educational institutions are the new cantonal school, equipped with extensive geo- logical and botanical collections, and various sec- ondary, technical, industrial, and commercial schools. There are also a musical conservatory; tlie museum containing the cantonal library (90,- 000 volumes I ; the municipal library, ricli in hooks of Helvetian history: the cantonal natural history collection; the museum of stufled Alpine animals: and the panoramas of Lucerne history and scenery. A fine btiilding was dedicated in 1902 as the International Museum of War and Peace. Lucerne derives its water-supply through an aqueduct from the springs of ilount Pilatus, 14 miles away. There is an extensive system of electric railroads in the city. Several railroad lines centre in the town. Despite these facili- ties, however, Lucerne has but little trade, and manufactures only small qtiantities of silk and ironware. The chief business of the inhabit- ants is the accommodation of totirists, who throng here yearly to the niunber of over 100.000, and for whom there are nearly seventy hotels. The environs are famous for their beauty and historic interest. (See Lucf.rne, Lake of.) Population, in 18S8. 20,314; in 1900 (commune), 29,2.5.'), mostly Roman Catholic. Lucerne appears as a town as early as the eleventh century. It belonged to the House of Ilapshurg untiT 13.32, when it entered the Federa- tion, its citizens taking part in the battle of Sempach in 13S6. The Reformation was not well received in Lucerne. In fact, the city led the 515 LUCHAIRE. Catholic forces during the religious wars. In 1798 Lucerne became the capital of the Helvetic Republic. In 1844 it placed itself at the head. of the Sonderbund, but capitulated in 1847 and was occupied by the federal troops. Since that j'ear its history has been tranquil. Consult Uecr, (juide to Lucerne (Lucerne, 1899). LUCERNE, Lake of (Gcr. Viericaldstdticr .SVc, 'Lake of the Four Forest Cantons'). A beautiful lake of Switzerland, and one of the most famous lakes in Europe. It is situated in the norlli-central part of the country, bordering on the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, Unterwalden, and Lucerne (Map: Switzerland, C 1). It has roughly the shape of a cross with irregular and winding arms. The altitude is 143.5 feet; the greatest depth 700 feet. The length of the main body, from the town of Lucerne in the northwest to Fliielen in the southeast, is 23 miles. The average width is IVi; to 2 miles, but in .several places it is reduced to a half of a mile or less by outjutting promontories which divide the lake into several basins. Of these basins the principal are the Bay of Lucerne, forming the upper end of the cross, those of Alpnach and Kiissnacht, forming the two cross-arms, and the Weggiser See, the Buochser See, and the Lake of Uri, forming the divisions of the main body. Each of these divisions is almost entirelj' shut off from the others so far as the view is con- cerned, and each has its own characteristic ap- pearance. The scenery in the lower (northern) part of the lake is strikingly picturesque as viewed from a steamer at the centre of the cross (the Kreuzrichter). On one side towers the gloomy peak of Mount Pilatus, while on the other is the bright, garden-covered mountain of Eigi, far-famed for its luisurpassed view. Be- tween them is seen the steep, forest-covered slope of the Biirgenstock. The water in this part of the lake is a clear blue. The water assumes a deep green hue in the Lake of I'ri. which is sur- rounded by steep, rocky clifTs. Through the rifts in these cliffs can be viewed the snow-clad peaks and glaciers in the distance. The lake is subject to sudden and dangerous winds. The shores of the Lake of Uri are .issociated with the mythical history of William Tell. On its banks, also, in a spot" called Griitli (q.v.), men from I'ri, Unter- walden. and Schwj-z pledged themselves in 1307 to drive out their foreign oppressors, and thus paved the way for Swiss liberty. Along the eastern shore runs the Axenstrasse, celebrated as one of the most beautiful roads in existence. Its construction in the solid rock is a marvel of engineering skill. The principal affluent is the Reuss, which enters at Fliielen and leaves tho lake at Lucerne. LUCHAIRE. li.i'shilr', Achille (184(i— ). A Frciuh historian, born in Paris. He was edu- cated. at the Superior Normal School (186-fi9), taught in the lycevinis at Pau and Bordeaux, and received the degree of Doctor of Letters (1877) for his two theses, Dc Liniiua Aqiiitaiiica and Ahiiii Ic Crand. sire d'Mhrrt. The same vear he was appointed to the chair of history at Bordeaux and in 1885 became professor at the Sorbonne. Four years afterwards he suc- ceeded to the chair of medieval history. His publications include: Xoms dc liciijr dii paiis ha.if/iic (1874): Itccueil de iexicx dc Vaiicien dialecte gascon. with a glossary (1881) ; Histoire