William Augustus Brevoort Coolidge

“ It takes its name from the town of Lucerne, which is situated at its west end, just where the Reuss issues from the lake, after having entered it at Flüelen at the east end and so practically formed it; the Muota enters the lake at Brunnen (northern shore) and the two mountain streams called the Engelberg and the Sarnen Aa at Buochs and Alpnachstad respectively (S.) . The lake is generally supposed to be, on the whole, the most beautiful in Switzerland. ”

“ The town of Lucerne is connected with Flüelen by the main line of the St Gotthard railway (32 m.) , though only portions of this line (from Lucerne to Küssnacht, 101/2 m., and from Brunnen to Flüelen, 7 m.) run along the shore; Brunnen is also connected with Flüelen by the splendid carriage road known as the Axenstrasse (71/4 m.) ”

“ Most of the villages on the shores are frequented in summer by visitors (Gersau also in winter) , especially Hertenstein, Weggis, Gersau, Brunnen, Beckenried and Hergiswil, while great hotels, commanding magnificent views, have been built on heights above it, such as the Bürgenstock, Seelisberg, and near Morschach, above Brunnen, besides those on the Rigi, Pilatus and the Stanserhorn. The area of the lake is about 441/2 sq. ”