Show 0 litt e C to aces I 1 ns ng 0 1 events I 1 n no D B IM ara LUCERNE THE HOSTESS OF switzerland lucerne scene of important conferences among allied statesmen Is a precious jewel among swiss cities with the lale lake of the same name for its setting a lake v where here varied beauty and historic association are arc blended on that lakes shores william tell Is reputed to have exhibited ills marksmanship roan ship to the discomfiture of gessler and on its waters tradition holds lie won his revenge by seizing the rudder of the vessel on N w holcli unit that tyrant held I 1 him prisoner and guided it to f the rock where he aimed not at an apple but at Ms his oppressors heart less picturesque but more significant was the formulation of the perpetual league that famous instrument not only was the antecedent of the swiss confederation but marked a mile post in ili human itys political freedom beloved by tourists and crowded with them in normal years lucerne has bag retained many of its 1 ancient 1 chent aspects its crumbling wall with its watch towers give it a medieval stamp two of its covered wooden bridges also serve ns as art galleries on the walls of one are depicted scenes of the cites history and the other has paintings ot of the dance ot of death perhaps the most famed art object of the city Is the lion of lucerne con by one critic the most ampro prime and touching monument in existence in a grotto hewn from the natural rock Is a dying lion ilon pierced by a lance with his paw protecting the fleurdelys fleur de lys of the bourbons Gour bong danish sculptor designed this tribute to the swiss guard who died la in seeking to protect louis XVI against the mob of paris barig revolutionists that stormed the tuileries Tuil eries in 1792 many quaint houses remain including tile the wooden structures whose inflammability gave rise to curious fire regulations wood for building could not dot lie ile in the streets more inore than 24 hours no smithy could work belvi een vespers and early mass every citizen was nas a potential fire lighter fighter and the citizens brigade when called to a fire had to await word from the inai or for dismissal women were renu required ired to 10 old aid at night by holding lights in the a until vivo two centuries ago the city fathers were assigned special duties in fire fighting |