LUCERNE, Lake of, in the centre of Switzerland, called in German Vierwaldstättersee, or "The Lake of the Four Forest Cantons," from its being inclosed by the cantons of Schwytz, Uri, Unterwalden, and Lucerne, is considered to be the grandest in Europe in point of scenery. It is the largest lake in Switzerland, and its surface is about 1400 feet above sea-level. It inclines to a cruciform shape, but is very irregular. Its extreme length is 24½ miles, and its average breadth 3 miles; in depth it varies from 300 to 900 feet. All varieties of scenery are to be met with on its shores, from soft beauty to stern grandeur and sublimity. In the latter respect, the farther end of it, called the Bay of Uri, is unsurpassed. Many of the scenes in Schiller's Wilhelm Tell are localized around this lake. The violent storms to which it is exposed render its navigation dangerous. Steamers ply several times a day during summer between Lucerne and Flüelen, and other parts on the shores of the lake.