FOOTNOTES

“Early woo’d and early won,Was never repented under the sun.”

“Early woo’d and early won,

Was never repented under the sun.”

28.March of Population.—Nothing exhibits a greater contrast between England and the Continent than the progress of population. I believe it goes on at least three times as fast in the British Isles as in France and Germany. Many causes may be assigned for this disproportion. The immense outlet for redundant population in our colonies—the prodigious extent of our commerce and manufactures—the early period of marriage, especially in Ireland—these are among the chief causes of the rail-road speed at which the multiplication of mankind goes on in this country. On the Continent, it is just the reverse. The pace of population there is quite “a la schnell-post.” But lest this degree of velocity should endanger the state waggon, government (in many parts of Germany) has affixed a drag to the wheels, in the shape of a law prohibiting matrimony, unless the high contracting parties can produce proof of their possessing ways and means for supporting themselves and families. If this regulation obtained in Great Britain, it would stop one half of the marriages in Scotland, two-thirds of those in England, and nine-tenths of those in Ireland. Here is a hint for the Poor Law Commissioners, that may induce them to bring a Bill into Parliament for the prevention of imprudent marriages, which would be more effectual in checking pauperism than the terrors of the workhouse.

But, when we consider that colonization and commerce carry off an immense redundancy of British population, how are we to account for thepermanentor domiciliated population of these islands increasing so much more rapidly than that of the Continent, where the safety-valves are of such narrow dimensions? There are some causes of these different rates of progression, which are little known in this country; but the chief cause must be the greater degree of prudence exercised by the people of France and Germany than by the people of Great Britain.

29.Poetry.—The transition from population to poetry is not so abrupt as might at first appear; for although we may have population without poetry, we shall rarely have poetry without population. Looking at thewordsof the German language, a stranger to that language would be apt to conclude that it must be as difficult to mould them into music or poetry, as to convert hob-nails into ivory teeth—the bristles of a boar into the ermine of a judge—or the rocks of Iona into columns of crystal. Yet nothing would be a more erroneous prejudice than this conclusion. The German, like the English language, is so rich insynonimes, as to afford every facility for the intonations of the musician, and variety of expression of the poet. The poverty of the French language in this respect, presents a remarkable contrast to the German and English. French poetry must have the jingle of rhyme to make it bearable by the ear. A French poem in blank verse, would be like a monkey striding along on huge stilts, exciting roars of laughter from the spectators. But this poverty in synonims, renders the French language more precise, and the individual words less equivocal than in any other. Hence its universal advantages in diplomatic communications, where the synonims of other tongues would give rise to perpetual ambiguity and quibble.

A curious, not to say ludicrous, attempt has lately been made by an American author to transplant the poetry of Goethe and Schiller into English byliteraltranslation, the said author maintaining that poetrywillbe poetrystill; and that the more close and servile the traduction, the better will the spirit of the original poetry be preserved! The following rather favourable specimen of this attempt to clothe German ideas in English words, is quite a “curiosity of literature,” and worth preserving.

“TO A NATURALIST.“‘What Nature hides within’—O thou Philistine!—‘No finite mind can know.’My friend, of this thingWe think thou needest notSo oft remind us:We fancy: Spot for spotWithinwe find us.‘Happy who her doth winThe outmost shell to show!’Now that these sixty years I’ve heard repeated,And, oft as heard, with silent curses greeted.I whisper o’er and o’er this truth eternal:—Freely doth nature all things tell;Nature hath neither shellNor kernel;Whole every where, at each point thou canst learn all.Only examine thine own heart.Whetherthoushell or kernel art.”[98]

“TO A NATURALIST.

“‘What Nature hides within’—O thou Philistine!—‘No finite mind can know.’My friend, of this thingWe think thou needest notSo oft remind us:We fancy: Spot for spotWithinwe find us.‘Happy who her doth winThe outmost shell to show!’Now that these sixty years I’ve heard repeated,And, oft as heard, with silent curses greeted.I whisper o’er and o’er this truth eternal:—Freely doth nature all things tell;Nature hath neither shellNor kernel;Whole every where, at each point thou canst learn all.Only examine thine own heart.Whetherthoushell or kernel art.”[98]

“‘What Nature hides within’—

O thou Philistine!—

‘No finite mind can know.’

My friend, of this thing

We think thou needest not

So oft remind us:

We fancy: Spot for spot

Withinwe find us.

‘Happy who her doth win

The outmost shell to show!’

Now that these sixty years I’ve heard repeated,

And, oft as heard, with silent curses greeted.

I whisper o’er and o’er this truth eternal:—

Freely doth nature all things tell;

Nature hath neither shell

Nor kernel;

Whole every where, at each point thou canst learn all.

Only examine thine own heart.

Whetherthoushell or kernel art.”[98]

Now if any Transatlantic Philistine can crack the shell of this German nut, and extract an eatable kernel, he must possess amanducatorpretty considerably stronger than that with whichSampsoncracked the skulls of the ancient Philistines in the Holy Land—the jaw-bone of an ass.

FOOTNOTES[1]The following is a rough attempt at a free translation of the above celebrated passage in Horace.Behind the gilded coach pale Care ascends,And haunts his victim wheresoe’er he wends,On foreign shores the exile tries, in vain,To banish thought, and fly from mental pain.[2]A gentleman, to whom I was remarking on the universal desire forchange, evinced by passengers of every kind of politics and religion, observed that he, at least, was an exception. “I am going (said he) to cross the Pontine Marshes by the ancient road—theVia Romana. Now it must be admitted that, in so doing, I am holding to the grand principle of theconservativesandChinese—‘STARE SUPER VIAS ANTIQUAS.’” I acknowledged the ingenuity of the argument; but questioned the policy of the measure. I counselled him not to “stare” it too long on the “Vias Antiquas” of the Pontine fens, but rather to keepmovingthere, lest his own constitution should shortly afterwords come in need ofreform.[3]Mr. Chambers alludes to a curious custom in Holland—that of the females sitting on chafing-dishes or, in fact, warming-pans. This custom is prevalent in many parts of Germany, and is universal among the better classes of women in Italy. It is not on account of the dampness of the climate that it is adopted; but because there are no fire-places, where a female can have the luxury of putting her feet on the fender, by a cheerful fire, while conversing with her friend or reading a novel. The atmosphere of a continental apartment, already vitiated by the vile German stove, is rendered still farther malodorous as well as malarious by the fumes from the foot-stool or warming-pan.[4]With another painting I was more at home—Rembrandt’s “Dissection.” It has been said by a connoisseur that—“the corpse is less an image of death than a vehicle of colour. It adjusts the equilibrium ofwarmth and coolness, and supplies a focus ofbrilliancywhich irradiates the whole scene.” I doubt whether this picture was painted fromlife(I see I am infected by the neighbouring bull), for such a corpse has never come before me in the various dissecting-rooms which I have visited.[5]The Mer de Glace, for instance, is perpetually bearing on its surface enormous blocks of rock detached from the sides of Mont Blanc, and travelling onward, however slowly, to the Rhone, and to the Sea.[6]“Its ample volume (Rhine) of water from bank to bank, bearing a greater resemblance to the Thames at Westminster, than any river with which I am acquainted.”—Chambers, p. 49.[7]Leigh’s Rhenish Album, 1840.[8]I have attempted a liberal rather than a literal translation of this remarkable passage in Horace.At palace gate and cottage doorDeath knocks alike, nor long nor loud—The shuddering tenant, rich or poor,Next morn lies folded in the shroud.[9]Although the blue-eyed Maid of the Moselle, and the yellow-haired Lord of the Rhine do not appear, at first, to relish the marriage that has been suddenly and unceremoniously forced upon them; yet they soon get reconciled, and afterwards set a good example to married folks on land. They jog on harmoniously through rough and smooth, to the end of the matrimonial journey, without altercations or recriminations—and without application to Doctors’ Commons for divorce, alimony, or pin-money![10]Planché.[11]Of these lines I shall attempt a rude translation.Grand-mamma was aMag, who laid eggs by the score;And had she not died, might have laid many more.[12]The Mineral Waters of Wisbaden. By Dr. Peez, p. 103.[13]In a Note to page 127 of Dr. Peez’s work, we have the following words:—“There are some chemists, as for example, the Aulic CouncillorStruve, (evidently actuated by mercantile motives) who charge us with purposely attempting to involve the origin and efficacy of mineral springs in a magic gloom.” This is not a veryliberalinsinuation!“Mercantile motives!” What motives led the doctor to study, and now to practise physick?—Answer.Merely to heal the sick without fee or reward. What are the motives which lead the lawyer to waste his time and health by the midnight lamp, studying Coke upon Littleton?—Answer.The prospective pleasure of pleading the causes of those who come into court “in forma pauperis”! But then there is the parson. He spends years of his life and thousands of his money at Oxford and Cambridge, studying theology and mythology—with the view of going forth to preach the word to Jew and Gentile, and without the most remote prospect of worldly advantage!Mercantile motives, indeed!Dr. Struve with great labour, expense, and skill, has imitated the Wisbaden waters, so that those who are unable to ascend the Rhine, may yet drink at the Kochbrunnen, without feeing theSpa Doctor.[14]The fatal effects of hot-bathing in the case of the late Duke of Nassau, have been alluded to, when speaking of theEmswaters.[15]Mineral Wells of Wisbaden, p. 360-6.[16]If Æachus, Minos, and Rhadamanthus still retain their seats on a certain bench beyond the Styx, I opine that many of the petty sovereigns of Germany may be taken to task about the revenue which they gained in the upper regions by selling licenses to gambling-houses.[17]It is not long since an antediluvian elephant was discovered on the shores of Siberia, and whose flesh was eatable by the dogs and wolves of that country.[18]Theaverageduration of human life in London is 40 years, in the country, from 40 to 60, according to the salubrity of the place.[19]Lee on the Mineral Waters of Nassau, 1839.[20]“Vous sortez des eaux de Schlangenbadrajeuni cum un Phœnix—la jeunesse y devient plus belle, plus brillante, et l’age y trouve une nouvelle vigeur.”—Fenner, p. 16.[21]“The people of England have flocked within the last few years to Schlangenbad, to bathe in itsfoulwater, drawn from tanks and used in tubs.”—Granville, vol. 1, p. 132.[22]I would advise Dr. Granville not to revisit the “Brunnens,” as a very considerable prejudice exists against him there—especially at Schlangenbad, where I understood, they were training a band of serpents to hiss him out of the valley, should he ever re-enter it. Be this as it may, I think he stands little chance of receiving an “Order” from the Duke of Nassau—unless it be such a one as two of his brethren (Drs. Downey and Lee,) received in the Summer of 1839—an “Order” to quit the duchy in forty-eight hours.[23]This was neither acivilnor a military order, but through the police: it was one which my friend, Theodore Hook, would be very apt to call an “Order off the Bath.” I suspect, indeed, that this would be my own fate, as well as that of Dr. Granville—but for very different reasons—not for depreciating the virtues of the waters, but for stigmatizing the licenses of the hells.[23]This was, upon the whole, a liberal “notice to quit;” since it would be difficult, I imagine, to point out any spot in the dukedom, whence an “exeat regno” might not be practicable in forty-eight minutes, on a good horse.[24]One would suppose from the number, profundity, and duration of these salaams, that Germans, of all ages and both sexes, had studied in the “Imperial Academy of Ceremonies” at Pekin. Such outrageous bowing, cap-doffing, pipe-squaring, spine-wriggling, andbussel-rending, I never beheld in any other country, except the Celestial Empire. The German, indeed, is taught civility or politeness from infancy, and far am I from censuring this overplus of amenity.[25]It must, at the same time, be confessed that, in Germany, all this quietude, order, and decorum,appearto be the result of a spontaneous disposition of the people. There is novisiblegoverning or directing power—no policemen at the corner of every street, or gens-d’armes watching their movements! All isseeminglyautomatic. Yet there must be some strong arm behind the scene—much careful pre-arrangement and organization to effect this tranquillity and regularity. We see a steam-carriage fly along a rail-road, without any outward or visible impelling power; but what complicated machinery is stowed inside? What vast labour was expended before the automaton started on the road! So it may be with Germany.[26]See a verification of these facts in theMorning Chronicle, of Saturday, December 14th, 1839.[27]Effodiuntur opes irritamenta malorum.[28]“Vice is a monster of such horrid mein,That to be hated, needs but to be seen—But seen too oft—familiar with his face,We first endure—then pity—then embrace.”[29]Granville, vol. 1, p. 110.[30]I do not, for one moment, doubt the fidelity of Dr. Granville’s description; but I am convinced that the effects which he describes were more owing to some happy mood in which he was at the time, than to any peculiar properties of the waters. Let us remember the expression of the Frenchman in the Serpent’s Bath at Schlangenbad—“dans ces bains on devient absoluement amoreux de soi-même.” Now, I do not see why Dr. G. might not have “fallen in love with self,” in the baths of Wildbad, as well as Monsieur in those of Schlangenbad.[31]“Chargé par son Excellence Mons. le Comte De Witt, General au service de la Russie, j’ai l’honneur d’avertir Mons. le Docteur Johnson, qu’il est prié de se trouver a la fête que Mons. le Comte donnera ce soir au Palais Royal.“Wildbad, Aug. 18, 1839.Heim.”Circumstances did not permit me to accept the kind invitation, and I can only thus return my thanks to Count De Witt for his politeness to a casual bath-acquaintance.[32]The public and promiscuous bathing of both sexes, so common on the Continent, is more easily condemned by prejudice than convicted by argument. I confess that I was fairly beaten out of the field by a German philosopher, while discussing the point.First, he urged the antiquity of the practice—the Romans having public baths for both sexes indiscriminately, on a most magnificent scale. The larger the bath, however, the less the objection, andvice versa, which he acknowledged.Secondly, he asked me what there was in the elementwater, to render promiscuous assemblages of the sexes more indelicate than in the element air? I answered that in the latter element the people were dressed. Dressed! he exclaimed. Why in thebaththey are closely clothed from the chin to the soles of the feet; while in theball-roomthe ladies exclude dress from every spot which they dare expose without outraging decency! There was no denying this. He added that, it was surely as unobjectionable for invalids of both sexes to walk and wade about in the bath, during the open day, as for people in high health to waltz about in crowded assemblies, during the middle of the night. On observing that the English were shocked at the practice of bathing promiscuously, because their eyes were unaccustomed to the sight; he replied, “exactly so—and the Germans, who are accustomed to it, feel nothing at all on the occasion.” The only objection on which I was obliged to fall back, was the loss of friction and shampooing in the bath—a drawback which the German admitted as unavoidable in public baths, but which, he maintained, was, in some degree, compensated for by the pleasure of conversation and society.[33]The “Auxiliary” which I have recommended to be taken over night, while using the waters ofWisbaden, would prevent or mitigate the spa-fever, or “bad-sturm” ofWildbad, without any abatement of the medicinal effects of the waters.J. J.[34]This child of the Revolution, and of fickle fortune, fell at the battle of Dresden, and his body lies interred on the frozen banks of the Neva![35]Planché.[36]Mr. and Miss Hayward, Mrs. and Miss Johnson (now Mrs. Jackson) and myself.[37]Since the foregoing account was drawn up—now nearly six years ago—great improvements have taken place in the Baths of Pfeffers. A good road for char-a-bancs and light cars is constructed from Ragatz to the Baths, and the whole establishment has been taken out of the hands of the monks of the neighbouring monastery, and put into lay hands. The Bad-haus is improved, and better accommodations are provided for strangers. I should not be surprized if this place becomes fashionable one day, and eclipses Wildbad and Toeplitz![38]“Le pont est etroit, souvent glissant, et quelquefois on n’est separé que par une seule planche du noir abîme de laTamina.”[39]It is surprising that the author of the “Voyage Pittoresque en Suisse,” and even Dr. Ebell, should have been led into the monstrous error of imagining that the torrent of the Tamina had, in the course of ages, hollowed out of the marble rock this profound bed for itself. We might just as well suppose, that the bed of the Mediterranean had been scooped out by the waters of the Hellespont, in their way from the Black Sea to the Atlantic. The mountain was rent by some convulsion of Nature, and apparently from below upwards, as the breadth, at the bed of the Tamina, is far broader than the external crevice above.[40]This has not always been the case. The talented authoress of “Reminiscences of the Rhine,” &c. appears to have lacked courage for this enterprise, though her beautiful daughters advanced to the further extremity of the gorge.[41]This circumstance illustrates, in a very remarkable manner, the effects of passing from a hot, or vapour-bath, into cold air or water. The immunity is nearly certain. The hotter the medium from which we start into the cold, the less danger there is of suffering any inconvenience. This principle in Hygiene is more understood than practised. It will be adverted to farther on.[42]Lest I should be suspected of exaggeration, in this account of the Baths of Pfeffers, I shall here introduce a short extract from “Reminiscences of the Rhine,” &c. by Mrs. Boddington—a work eulogised to the skies in the Edinburgh Review, and its author represented (and, I understand, deservedly) as a lady of very superior talents and strict veracity. After some slight notice of the Bath-house, Mrs. B. proceeds thus:—“Behind rolls the stormy Tamina, hemmed in at one side by the dark Bath-house and the impending cliffs, while, on the other, a giant wall of perpendicular rock, starting up daringly, and shutting out the world—almost the light of Heaven—closes up the scene. Our guide proposed that we should visit the mineral springs that boil up from the depth of an awful cavern, several hundred paces from the Bath-house. A bridge, thrown from rock to rock, crosses the flood, and a narrow ledge of planks, fixed, I know not how, against the side of the rock, and suspended over the fierce torrent, leads through a long dark chasm to the source. I ventured but a little way; for, when I found myself on the terrifying shelf, without the slightest ballustrade, and felt it slippery, from the continual spray, and saw nothing between us and the yawning gulf, to which darkness, thickening at every step, gave increased horror, I made a few rapid reflections on foolhardiness, and retreated.”The following lines were found in an Album at an Inn in the Canton of Glarus, in the Summer of 1825, written by an anonymous English tourist, immediately after visiting the Baths of Pfeffers.[Communicated by C. Raine, Esq.]Oft hast thou marvell’d much, I trow.At him who twirl’d with well pois’d toeOn Strasburg’s pointed spire:—Or him who, on the quivering slopeOf the tight-brac’d elastic rope,Could bound in air much higher:—But had they quaffed the fervid waveInPfeffers’dark and vapoury cave—(Those half adventurous people)—And paced the dizzy, fragile plankAlong the chasm’s terrific flank,They then had scorned the paltry prankOf dancing on a steeple.[43]In an old account of the baths we find the following passage:—“The water of these baths is extremely clear, without taste or smell. It bears with it the most subtle spirits of sulphur, nitre, vitriol, and divers metals—amongst others,gold.”[44]In many people they produce slight vertigo—in more, they act freely on the bowels. They were discovered in the 12th century, by two chasseurs from the neighbouring monastery, who were seeking birds’ nests in the ravine of the Tamina. For a long time they could only descend to these baths by means of ropes; but at length human ingenuity formed zig-zags along the rocks. As if every thing relating to these waters should partake of the wonderful, it may be mentioned that they begin to flow in May, when the Summer is approaching—are at their acmé when the skies are fervid and the land parched with thirst, yielding 1500 pints of water every minute—and cease entirely in September, when the rains begin to fall, and the mountain streams to pour freely along every declivity![45]A German writer informs us that the country people stay in these baths from Saturday night till Monday morning. “Tous les Samedis on voit accourir à Pfeffers une multitude de gens des campagne voisines, et ils restent dans le bains jusqu’au Lundi matin pour provoquer la sueur.”[46]Dr. Engel, of Vienna.[47]For further particulars, see the Third Edition of my “Economy of Health,” or Stream of Human Life, &c.[48]Unfortunately I find that gamblingispermitted in Aix by the Prussian government to all non-residents![49]In the interval between 1834 and 1840, when I last visited this place, Ems has been completely metamorphosed. I could scarcely recognize it, so much has it been embellished and improved. It is now one of the prettiest spas in Germany. A line of handsome buildings, a mile in length, with a magnificent Cursaal in the centre, stretches along the Lahn, while new edifices are fast rising on the other side of the river. Beautiful promenades are formed all along this line, between the houses and the Lahn, while two bands of music play several hours in the day. The view from the highest point of the Morshutte, is very picturesque.[50]A short time ago Ems had nearly shaken the foundation of Carlsbad. On cutting down, with incredible labour, through a bed of schistus and other rock, on the opposite side of the Lahn, a spring boiled up with a force equal to that of the Sprudel, and at a temperature of 168° of Fahrenheit! The inundation, by infiltration, from the Lahn, overpowered the efforts of the workmen, and the enterprize was abandoned. Various fragments of masonry and wood were found in this place, rendering it probable that, at some remote period—perhaps in the time of the Romans, there was a thermal fountain in this place. The water is still seen boiling up from the bed of the river at this place, and, on immersing my thermometer in the water of the Lahn there, the mercury stood at 104°.[51]Ems, Les Eaux Thermales. Par M. Doring, 1839.[52]Dr. Doring affirms that bathing in the Ems waters is quite as salutary in Winter as in Summer.[53]By far the pleasantest way to Kissengen is the cross-road, leaving Wurtzburg far to the right. It will occupy about two and a half days’ posting from Frankfort, through a highly picturesque and beautiful country. Aschaffenburgh is the first night’s resting-place. The second days’ journey leads through a portion of the ancient Hercynian forest, and presents very fine scenery.[54]Balling, p. 33.[55]Ibidem.[56]Balling, p. 38-9.[57]It is a little remarkable that Dr. Granville scarcely makes any allusion to this reactive process so conspicuous in the Kissengen waters—and which is dwelt upon by the writers on all the energetic spas of Germany. It is by far the most important phenomenon which medicinal waters present, and requires the most vigilant attention. I have not the least doubt that it is owing to the want of light aperient alteratives taken over night, by which the biliary and other glandular secretions are kept in a state of activity, corresponding with the action kept up on the bowels by the waters.—See the Section on Carlsbad.[58]It would have been well if the late Duke of Nassau had observed this rule—or rather if he had avoided these baths entirely.—J.J.[59]By the way, those visitors, who merely pass a day or two at Kissengen, without any intention of taking the waters, have reason to complain of the tax imposed on them by the King of Bavaria. When the “reckoning” comes in, they find two florins for each person in the party charged by the master of the hotel. I believe, however, that this is an imposition of the hotels, and that four or five days’ residence are allowed, before the tax is due.[60]It may be proper to state that, in a more recent analysis by ProfessorFrommsdorff, some other ingredients were discovered, although the aggregate quantity of saline matters was 34 grains, as above. The new matters were very minute quantities of oxide of manganese—carbonate of lithion—carbonate of strontian—and phosphate of magnesia.[61]The Baron suggests the more frequent application of this gas to certain complaints of both sexes which are regarded with no small anxiety by both parties.Verbum sat.[62]Dr. Clarus, Dr. Granville, and others state that the skin exhales an acid odour, and even feels salt to the tongue for several hours after leaving the bath. This I did not perceive in my own case at all.[63]There is another source in the forest, ten minutes walk from the Kreuzbrunn, which contains double the quantity of solid materials found in the Carolinenbrunn, termed Waldbrunnen.[64]Heidler, p. 334.[65]The apparatus at Marienbad are admirably constructed, both for safety and efficacy. The hole in the lid of the bath embraces, by the aid of a handkerchief, so well the throat, that no gas escapes, while the patient suffers no difficulty of breathing. The gas enters by a tube at the bottom of the bath, and the superfluity is carried off by several others that enter near the top. Some covering is proper over the part exposed to thecurrentof the gas from the pipe, to prevent taking cold—as the clothes do not, in the slightest degree, diminish the action of the gas on the body or members, provided they are light and thin.[66]Lobkowitz. Ode to the Sprudel—nearly 300 years ago.[67]The route by the Elbe, from Hamburg, through Dresden and Saxon Switzerland, will now render the journey from London easy.[68]Note from Mr. Spitta to Dr. Johnson.The ancient history ofCarlsbadis interesting: it shews the powers of mendacious tradition. There is a certain mountain on the left bank of the Teple, termedHirschensprung[Spring of the stag], which carries in its very name a wondrous tale.As early as the middle of the fourteenth century, Charles IV. Emperor of Germany, and King of Bohemia, was pursuing a stag, and the animal, pressed closely by the hounds, ascended that lofty mountain. The huntsmen, unable to follow, on account of the steepness of the ascent, were returning by the bank of the river, supposing they had lost their game, when—imagine their surprise—they heard the cries of the scalded animal on the opposite side. The cause was easily explained. In the last despairing hope of escape, the animal had made a leap, from the top of the Hirschensprung, over the Teple; and had fallen, quite accidentally, into the boiling, bubbling Sprudel. The distance, as the crow flies, may be a mile, perhaps a mile and a half (more or less), a difference in tradition’s eye, of no importance. Thus the stag was found, and the Sprudel discovered, simultaneously. Tradition’s stories are always complete. King Charles happened to have a bad leg, for which (of course) the exercise of hunting was beneficial; he happened to try the waters, and happened to get well. The place henceforth assumed his name, Carlsbad (Charles’ bath), and rose by degrees to the importance it now possesses.[69]Although the proportion of iodine and other materials, appears small to theAllopath, it is reckoned prodigious by theHomœopath, who indeed, considers that the surplus waters which flow from the Sprudel into the Teple, are quite sufficient to impregnate the stream of the Elbe at Hamburgh abundantly for all medicinal purposes. M. Creutzburg calculates that, in the course of a season at Carlsbad, during which he drank 404 goblets of the waters, there were 3¼ grains of hydriodate of soda, in that quantity. The quantity of carbonic acid gas in the pint is about 12 cubic inches.[70]There is another spring, the Bernard’s Brunnen, near the New Brunnen, which has a temperature as high as that of the Sprudel; but I believe it is seldom used. The Schlossbrunnen, much higher up the hill, is the least hot of all—and the Marktbrunnen, near the Muhlbrunn, is next to it in temperature. It exhales some odour of sulphur.[71]Note from Mr. Spitta.I brought home one of the pretty stamps, made of Sprudelstein; and had the cruelty to break it up for chemical examination. I found it to be composed, as stalactites in all parts of the world are, of the earthy carbonates; which, originally held in solution by carbonic acid gas, are precipitated on its escape. The Sprudel contains a very small quantity of carbonic acid, only sufficient, as Beecher has observed, to keep its earthy carbonates in solution. As the water approaches the exit of the cauldron, and the gas ceases to be under pressure, it resumes its wonted elasticity, passes quietly off with the vapour which issues from the boiler, and leaves its irony carbonates, sticking to the edge of the reservoir. Carbonate of lime is the main ingredient of the Sprudelstein—it contains besides, carbonate of magnesia and iron; to the latter, its reddish-brown colour is to be attributed. There is a portion of iron also, as peroxyde; and minute traces of one or two other substances. With regard to the incrustations: they are nothing more nor less thanpetrifactions(as they are called), made exactly in the same manner as other petrifactions, by the deposition of theearthy carbonates. The difference in colour from other petrifactions arises from the difference in the composition of the Sprudel water and the water in other parts, where thewhiteincrustations are formed. The Sprudel contains a small quantity of thecarbonate of iron. This is deposited with the carbonates of lime and magnesia; and hence the brown colour.[72]“Le celebre Carus a publié une tres-interessant Memoire sur les Eaux Minerales, sur leur vitalité, sur leur formation dans le sein de la terre, qu’il considere comme unorganism animé, dont ces eaux sont les secretions, aussi differentes entre elles que les fluides elaborés par les divers organs secretoires du corps humain.”—De Carro.It must be confessed that the idea of daily ingurgitating such lots ofsecretionsfrom some “great unknown” animal in the bowels of the earth, is not a very comfortable one, and requires a stouterstomachthan that which is necessary for the digestion of the bear’s broth at Wisbaden. There is one consolation, that the whole is a dream; since there is just as much proof or probability of the Spas of Germany being asecretionfrom a living animal, as that the German Ocean is a secretion from Neptune or Amphitrite.[73]The remarkable influence of mind over matter, and hope over both, was exemplified in 1839, in the person of Surgeon Fraser, of the Bombay establishment. Being reduced almost to a skeleton by a disease, the nature of which could not be ascertained, he happened to see my review of Dr. Granville’s book, and immediately determined to travelover-landto Carlsbad. He embarked in a steamer for Suez—thence was carried in a litter between two camels across the Desert—embarked again at Alexandria for Constantinople—thence through the Black Sea up the Danube, and on to Carlsbad, all this journey being sustained by hope, aided by “change of air.” At Carlsbad the waters were eagerly taken; but alas! were found to do no good! He lost confidence in them, and proceeded to Marienbad in a litter. He died two days after his arrival there, and left his bones in Bohemia! There is little doubt that had he travelled on, instead of stopping at Carlsbad, he might have reached his native mountains in the Highlands.On dissection the disease was found to be in the mesenteric glands.[74]Carlsbad; ses Eaux Minerales. Par De Carro.[75]Sur les Eaux, p. 167.[76]It is a curious fact that the waters of Carlsbad often cause a swelling of the ankles, especially in females. Hoffman was the first who noticed this phenomenon.[77]An English physician has realized a fortune by prescribing on this plan, and enforcing a strict system of diet. The combination used is very nearly the following:—℞.Infus. rosæ c. ℥viss.Acidi sulph. dil. ʒiss.Magnes sulphat. ℥j.Tinct. gent. c. ℥ss.Sulphatis ferri gr. vij.Misce ft. mistura, capt. coch. ij. mag. primo mane et meridie.I prefer the following formula.℞.Extr. col. comp.Pil. rhei. comp. aa ℈j.—— hydrargyri gr. vj.Ol. cassiæ, gtt. iv.Misce ft. pil. xij. capt. i. vel. ij. hora somni omni nocte.℞.Infus. gent. c. ℥vjss.Magnes. sulph. ℥j.Acidi. sulph. aromat. ʒiss.Sulph. ferri. grs. vij.Tinct. aurantii comp. ℥ss.Misce ft. mistura, capt. coch. ij. vel. iij. mag. primo mane,et rept. dosis intra horas duas, si alvus non respondeat.In this formula there is the alterative, the aperient, and the tonic combined, so that no risk is run from any one of the ingredients. Inbothforms, there is some chemical decomposition, but the physiological effects are good.—J. J.[78]Les Bains de Gastein, p. 34.[79]Erroneously spelled Toeplitz by most travellers.[80]This was the picture which presented itself to Dr. Granville four or five years ago; but all is now changed. A dispute arose between the doctors and the town council of Teplitz, as to the necessity or propriety of having the process of bleeding and bathing simultaneously carried on—the doctors beingpro, and the authoritiescon. Some of the doctors, however, ratted, and declared that the practice of cupping was seldom necessary; and that, where it was deemed prudent, the operation might be performed out of the bath, and without any flow of blood into the water. The practice is now, therefore, almost entirely discontinued.[81]The whole of the solid contents of the various springs amounts to about five grains in the pint, with a little iron.[82]This effect did not take place in my own person, nor in that of any other with whom I conversed on the subject. Dr. Richter, the latest writer on the waters, does not mention it in his work, and he told me he had very seldom observed it in the persons of bathers.[83]This analysis, as well as that of Sedlitz, I obtained at Bilin, at the establishment of Prince Lobkowitz; and they are interesting as being the most recent yet published. This appeared in 1840.[84]In the “Handbuck,” Mr. Murray has committed a mistake in killing Prince Colleredo here, instead of making him the fortunate soldier—“qui decida la journée.”—Commend me to the Austrian policy. No man knew better than Prince Metternich that one good living General was worth the full of a church-yard of dead ones. Colleredo fought hard, and distinguished himself at the battle of Leipzig after the battle of Culm.[85]February 1814, and July 1815.[86]Many of the rocks have acquired distinct and permanent appellations from their rude, but often striking similitudes to animals and other objects. More than one or two royal personages have here their profilesen gigantesque, encompased by other figures of more ignoble character, as “La grande Oie”—“La petite Oie”—“La Pierre de Merles”—“La Pierre de Miel”—“Pierres des Ours,”—“Pierre d’Agneau”—“Pierre de Fourterelle,” &c.[87]Did Napoleon adopt theBeeas his emblem, because that animal is equally expert in extracting the honey and implanting the sting?[88]His own words, as reported by Las Casas, were—“I was a Mahomedan in Egypt—a Catholic in France. I do not believe in forms of religion; but in the existence of a Deity.” There is not an infidel or sceptic from the North to the South Pole, who doubts the existence of a God—provided he has sense or reason enough to be able to distinguish his right hand from his left. It was fortunate, perhaps, for Napoleon’s mental sufferings that he believed not in a future state of existence, otherwise the ghost of D’Enghien would have stood by his death-bed, and rendered his last moments most horrible! I need not allude to his divorce of Josephine, for his character in matrimony![89]These regalia are now removed to some other place. 1840.[90]A dagger is here preserved which, on entering the body, separates into three parts, rendering extraction more dangerous than the primary wound![91]By the way, the extreme care which the heroes of antiquity, as well as those of the middle-ages, took to cover every part of their bodies with brass and iron plates, does not exhibit any very striking proof of their courage. Why should they not have fought without armour, trusting to activity, bravery, and strength, rather than to coats of mail? In the best days of the Roman legions, they fought without armour.[92]In Saxony, the punishment of death is by decapitation.[93]From the researches of the Rev. Mr. Gleig, Scepticism has invaded the Catholic camp!“But, even in Catholic countries, the cloven-foot of Scepticism is for ever thrusting itself from beneath the priest’s robe; while amongst the Protestants,to believe God’s word, as it is written, forms the exception to the general rule which Rationalism has established.”—Vol. I. preface.[94]He might be represented as a person with two shadows. The shade behind (time past) is tolerably distinct—that which is before (time to come) is dim in the extreme, and ill-defined.[95]Russell’s Germany, Vol. I. pp. 123.[96]This trait in Gallic character has never been more clearly discerned, or more cleverly met than by Viscount Palmerston. Palmam qui meruit ferat.[97]Among the perversions of language we may notice the following in the vocabulary of the French fire-eaters. “Offended pride”meansdetected fraud.[98]Translations from Goethe and Schiller. By J. S. Dwight. Boston, 1839.

[1]The following is a rough attempt at a free translation of the above celebrated passage in Horace.Behind the gilded coach pale Care ascends,And haunts his victim wheresoe’er he wends,On foreign shores the exile tries, in vain,To banish thought, and fly from mental pain.

[1]The following is a rough attempt at a free translation of the above celebrated passage in Horace.

Behind the gilded coach pale Care ascends,And haunts his victim wheresoe’er he wends,On foreign shores the exile tries, in vain,To banish thought, and fly from mental pain.

Behind the gilded coach pale Care ascends,

And haunts his victim wheresoe’er he wends,

On foreign shores the exile tries, in vain,

To banish thought, and fly from mental pain.

[2]A gentleman, to whom I was remarking on the universal desire forchange, evinced by passengers of every kind of politics and religion, observed that he, at least, was an exception. “I am going (said he) to cross the Pontine Marshes by the ancient road—theVia Romana. Now it must be admitted that, in so doing, I am holding to the grand principle of theconservativesandChinese—‘STARE SUPER VIAS ANTIQUAS.’” I acknowledged the ingenuity of the argument; but questioned the policy of the measure. I counselled him not to “stare” it too long on the “Vias Antiquas” of the Pontine fens, but rather to keepmovingthere, lest his own constitution should shortly afterwords come in need ofreform.

[3]Mr. Chambers alludes to a curious custom in Holland—that of the females sitting on chafing-dishes or, in fact, warming-pans. This custom is prevalent in many parts of Germany, and is universal among the better classes of women in Italy. It is not on account of the dampness of the climate that it is adopted; but because there are no fire-places, where a female can have the luxury of putting her feet on the fender, by a cheerful fire, while conversing with her friend or reading a novel. The atmosphere of a continental apartment, already vitiated by the vile German stove, is rendered still farther malodorous as well as malarious by the fumes from the foot-stool or warming-pan.

[4]With another painting I was more at home—Rembrandt’s “Dissection.” It has been said by a connoisseur that—“the corpse is less an image of death than a vehicle of colour. It adjusts the equilibrium ofwarmth and coolness, and supplies a focus ofbrilliancywhich irradiates the whole scene.” I doubt whether this picture was painted fromlife(I see I am infected by the neighbouring bull), for such a corpse has never come before me in the various dissecting-rooms which I have visited.

[5]The Mer de Glace, for instance, is perpetually bearing on its surface enormous blocks of rock detached from the sides of Mont Blanc, and travelling onward, however slowly, to the Rhone, and to the Sea.

[6]“Its ample volume (Rhine) of water from bank to bank, bearing a greater resemblance to the Thames at Westminster, than any river with which I am acquainted.”—Chambers, p. 49.

[7]Leigh’s Rhenish Album, 1840.

[8]I have attempted a liberal rather than a literal translation of this remarkable passage in Horace.At palace gate and cottage doorDeath knocks alike, nor long nor loud—The shuddering tenant, rich or poor,Next morn lies folded in the shroud.

[8]I have attempted a liberal rather than a literal translation of this remarkable passage in Horace.

At palace gate and cottage doorDeath knocks alike, nor long nor loud—The shuddering tenant, rich or poor,Next morn lies folded in the shroud.

At palace gate and cottage door

Death knocks alike, nor long nor loud—

The shuddering tenant, rich or poor,

Next morn lies folded in the shroud.

[9]Although the blue-eyed Maid of the Moselle, and the yellow-haired Lord of the Rhine do not appear, at first, to relish the marriage that has been suddenly and unceremoniously forced upon them; yet they soon get reconciled, and afterwards set a good example to married folks on land. They jog on harmoniously through rough and smooth, to the end of the matrimonial journey, without altercations or recriminations—and without application to Doctors’ Commons for divorce, alimony, or pin-money!

[10]Planché.

[11]Of these lines I shall attempt a rude translation.Grand-mamma was aMag, who laid eggs by the score;And had she not died, might have laid many more.

[11]Of these lines I shall attempt a rude translation.

Grand-mamma was aMag, who laid eggs by the score;And had she not died, might have laid many more.

Grand-mamma was aMag, who laid eggs by the score;

And had she not died, might have laid many more.

[12]The Mineral Waters of Wisbaden. By Dr. Peez, p. 103.

[13]In a Note to page 127 of Dr. Peez’s work, we have the following words:—“There are some chemists, as for example, the Aulic CouncillorStruve, (evidently actuated by mercantile motives) who charge us with purposely attempting to involve the origin and efficacy of mineral springs in a magic gloom.” This is not a veryliberalinsinuation!“Mercantile motives!” What motives led the doctor to study, and now to practise physick?—Answer.Merely to heal the sick without fee or reward. What are the motives which lead the lawyer to waste his time and health by the midnight lamp, studying Coke upon Littleton?—Answer.The prospective pleasure of pleading the causes of those who come into court “in forma pauperis”! But then there is the parson. He spends years of his life and thousands of his money at Oxford and Cambridge, studying theology and mythology—with the view of going forth to preach the word to Jew and Gentile, and without the most remote prospect of worldly advantage!Mercantile motives, indeed!Dr. Struve with great labour, expense, and skill, has imitated the Wisbaden waters, so that those who are unable to ascend the Rhine, may yet drink at the Kochbrunnen, without feeing theSpa Doctor.

“Mercantile motives!” What motives led the doctor to study, and now to practise physick?—Answer.Merely to heal the sick without fee or reward. What are the motives which lead the lawyer to waste his time and health by the midnight lamp, studying Coke upon Littleton?—Answer.The prospective pleasure of pleading the causes of those who come into court “in forma pauperis”! But then there is the parson. He spends years of his life and thousands of his money at Oxford and Cambridge, studying theology and mythology—with the view of going forth to preach the word to Jew and Gentile, and without the most remote prospect of worldly advantage!Mercantile motives, indeed!Dr. Struve with great labour, expense, and skill, has imitated the Wisbaden waters, so that those who are unable to ascend the Rhine, may yet drink at the Kochbrunnen, without feeing theSpa Doctor.

[14]The fatal effects of hot-bathing in the case of the late Duke of Nassau, have been alluded to, when speaking of theEmswaters.

[15]Mineral Wells of Wisbaden, p. 360-6.

[16]If Æachus, Minos, and Rhadamanthus still retain their seats on a certain bench beyond the Styx, I opine that many of the petty sovereigns of Germany may be taken to task about the revenue which they gained in the upper regions by selling licenses to gambling-houses.

[17]It is not long since an antediluvian elephant was discovered on the shores of Siberia, and whose flesh was eatable by the dogs and wolves of that country.

[18]Theaverageduration of human life in London is 40 years, in the country, from 40 to 60, according to the salubrity of the place.

[19]Lee on the Mineral Waters of Nassau, 1839.

[20]“Vous sortez des eaux de Schlangenbadrajeuni cum un Phœnix—la jeunesse y devient plus belle, plus brillante, et l’age y trouve une nouvelle vigeur.”—Fenner, p. 16.

[21]“The people of England have flocked within the last few years to Schlangenbad, to bathe in itsfoulwater, drawn from tanks and used in tubs.”—Granville, vol. 1, p. 132.

[22]I would advise Dr. Granville not to revisit the “Brunnens,” as a very considerable prejudice exists against him there—especially at Schlangenbad, where I understood, they were training a band of serpents to hiss him out of the valley, should he ever re-enter it. Be this as it may, I think he stands little chance of receiving an “Order” from the Duke of Nassau—unless it be such a one as two of his brethren (Drs. Downey and Lee,) received in the Summer of 1839—an “Order” to quit the duchy in forty-eight hours.[23]This was neither acivilnor a military order, but through the police: it was one which my friend, Theodore Hook, would be very apt to call an “Order off the Bath.” I suspect, indeed, that this would be my own fate, as well as that of Dr. Granville—but for very different reasons—not for depreciating the virtues of the waters, but for stigmatizing the licenses of the hells.

[23]This was, upon the whole, a liberal “notice to quit;” since it would be difficult, I imagine, to point out any spot in the dukedom, whence an “exeat regno” might not be practicable in forty-eight minutes, on a good horse.

[24]One would suppose from the number, profundity, and duration of these salaams, that Germans, of all ages and both sexes, had studied in the “Imperial Academy of Ceremonies” at Pekin. Such outrageous bowing, cap-doffing, pipe-squaring, spine-wriggling, andbussel-rending, I never beheld in any other country, except the Celestial Empire. The German, indeed, is taught civility or politeness from infancy, and far am I from censuring this overplus of amenity.

[25]It must, at the same time, be confessed that, in Germany, all this quietude, order, and decorum,appearto be the result of a spontaneous disposition of the people. There is novisiblegoverning or directing power—no policemen at the corner of every street, or gens-d’armes watching their movements! All isseeminglyautomatic. Yet there must be some strong arm behind the scene—much careful pre-arrangement and organization to effect this tranquillity and regularity. We see a steam-carriage fly along a rail-road, without any outward or visible impelling power; but what complicated machinery is stowed inside? What vast labour was expended before the automaton started on the road! So it may be with Germany.

[26]See a verification of these facts in theMorning Chronicle, of Saturday, December 14th, 1839.

[27]Effodiuntur opes irritamenta malorum.

[28]“Vice is a monster of such horrid mein,That to be hated, needs but to be seen—But seen too oft—familiar with his face,We first endure—then pity—then embrace.”

[28]

“Vice is a monster of such horrid mein,That to be hated, needs but to be seen—But seen too oft—familiar with his face,We first endure—then pity—then embrace.”

“Vice is a monster of such horrid mein,

That to be hated, needs but to be seen—

But seen too oft—familiar with his face,

We first endure—then pity—then embrace.”

[29]Granville, vol. 1, p. 110.

[30]I do not, for one moment, doubt the fidelity of Dr. Granville’s description; but I am convinced that the effects which he describes were more owing to some happy mood in which he was at the time, than to any peculiar properties of the waters. Let us remember the expression of the Frenchman in the Serpent’s Bath at Schlangenbad—“dans ces bains on devient absoluement amoreux de soi-même.” Now, I do not see why Dr. G. might not have “fallen in love with self,” in the baths of Wildbad, as well as Monsieur in those of Schlangenbad.

[31]“Chargé par son Excellence Mons. le Comte De Witt, General au service de la Russie, j’ai l’honneur d’avertir Mons. le Docteur Johnson, qu’il est prié de se trouver a la fête que Mons. le Comte donnera ce soir au Palais Royal.“Wildbad, Aug. 18, 1839.Heim.”Circumstances did not permit me to accept the kind invitation, and I can only thus return my thanks to Count De Witt for his politeness to a casual bath-acquaintance.

“Wildbad, Aug. 18, 1839.Heim.”

Circumstances did not permit me to accept the kind invitation, and I can only thus return my thanks to Count De Witt for his politeness to a casual bath-acquaintance.

[32]The public and promiscuous bathing of both sexes, so common on the Continent, is more easily condemned by prejudice than convicted by argument. I confess that I was fairly beaten out of the field by a German philosopher, while discussing the point.First, he urged the antiquity of the practice—the Romans having public baths for both sexes indiscriminately, on a most magnificent scale. The larger the bath, however, the less the objection, andvice versa, which he acknowledged.Secondly, he asked me what there was in the elementwater, to render promiscuous assemblages of the sexes more indelicate than in the element air? I answered that in the latter element the people were dressed. Dressed! he exclaimed. Why in thebaththey are closely clothed from the chin to the soles of the feet; while in theball-roomthe ladies exclude dress from every spot which they dare expose without outraging decency! There was no denying this. He added that, it was surely as unobjectionable for invalids of both sexes to walk and wade about in the bath, during the open day, as for people in high health to waltz about in crowded assemblies, during the middle of the night. On observing that the English were shocked at the practice of bathing promiscuously, because their eyes were unaccustomed to the sight; he replied, “exactly so—and the Germans, who are accustomed to it, feel nothing at all on the occasion.” The only objection on which I was obliged to fall back, was the loss of friction and shampooing in the bath—a drawback which the German admitted as unavoidable in public baths, but which, he maintained, was, in some degree, compensated for by the pleasure of conversation and society.

[33]The “Auxiliary” which I have recommended to be taken over night, while using the waters ofWisbaden, would prevent or mitigate the spa-fever, or “bad-sturm” ofWildbad, without any abatement of the medicinal effects of the waters.J. J.

J. J.

[34]This child of the Revolution, and of fickle fortune, fell at the battle of Dresden, and his body lies interred on the frozen banks of the Neva!

[35]Planché.

[36]Mr. and Miss Hayward, Mrs. and Miss Johnson (now Mrs. Jackson) and myself.

[37]Since the foregoing account was drawn up—now nearly six years ago—great improvements have taken place in the Baths of Pfeffers. A good road for char-a-bancs and light cars is constructed from Ragatz to the Baths, and the whole establishment has been taken out of the hands of the monks of the neighbouring monastery, and put into lay hands. The Bad-haus is improved, and better accommodations are provided for strangers. I should not be surprized if this place becomes fashionable one day, and eclipses Wildbad and Toeplitz!

[38]“Le pont est etroit, souvent glissant, et quelquefois on n’est separé que par une seule planche du noir abîme de laTamina.”

[39]It is surprising that the author of the “Voyage Pittoresque en Suisse,” and even Dr. Ebell, should have been led into the monstrous error of imagining that the torrent of the Tamina had, in the course of ages, hollowed out of the marble rock this profound bed for itself. We might just as well suppose, that the bed of the Mediterranean had been scooped out by the waters of the Hellespont, in their way from the Black Sea to the Atlantic. The mountain was rent by some convulsion of Nature, and apparently from below upwards, as the breadth, at the bed of the Tamina, is far broader than the external crevice above.

[40]This has not always been the case. The talented authoress of “Reminiscences of the Rhine,” &c. appears to have lacked courage for this enterprise, though her beautiful daughters advanced to the further extremity of the gorge.

[41]This circumstance illustrates, in a very remarkable manner, the effects of passing from a hot, or vapour-bath, into cold air or water. The immunity is nearly certain. The hotter the medium from which we start into the cold, the less danger there is of suffering any inconvenience. This principle in Hygiene is more understood than practised. It will be adverted to farther on.

[42]Lest I should be suspected of exaggeration, in this account of the Baths of Pfeffers, I shall here introduce a short extract from “Reminiscences of the Rhine,” &c. by Mrs. Boddington—a work eulogised to the skies in the Edinburgh Review, and its author represented (and, I understand, deservedly) as a lady of very superior talents and strict veracity. After some slight notice of the Bath-house, Mrs. B. proceeds thus:—“Behind rolls the stormy Tamina, hemmed in at one side by the dark Bath-house and the impending cliffs, while, on the other, a giant wall of perpendicular rock, starting up daringly, and shutting out the world—almost the light of Heaven—closes up the scene. Our guide proposed that we should visit the mineral springs that boil up from the depth of an awful cavern, several hundred paces from the Bath-house. A bridge, thrown from rock to rock, crosses the flood, and a narrow ledge of planks, fixed, I know not how, against the side of the rock, and suspended over the fierce torrent, leads through a long dark chasm to the source. I ventured but a little way; for, when I found myself on the terrifying shelf, without the slightest ballustrade, and felt it slippery, from the continual spray, and saw nothing between us and the yawning gulf, to which darkness, thickening at every step, gave increased horror, I made a few rapid reflections on foolhardiness, and retreated.”The following lines were found in an Album at an Inn in the Canton of Glarus, in the Summer of 1825, written by an anonymous English tourist, immediately after visiting the Baths of Pfeffers.[Communicated by C. Raine, Esq.]Oft hast thou marvell’d much, I trow.At him who twirl’d with well pois’d toeOn Strasburg’s pointed spire:—Or him who, on the quivering slopeOf the tight-brac’d elastic rope,Could bound in air much higher:—But had they quaffed the fervid waveInPfeffers’dark and vapoury cave—(Those half adventurous people)—And paced the dizzy, fragile plankAlong the chasm’s terrific flank,They then had scorned the paltry prankOf dancing on a steeple.

“Behind rolls the stormy Tamina, hemmed in at one side by the dark Bath-house and the impending cliffs, while, on the other, a giant wall of perpendicular rock, starting up daringly, and shutting out the world—almost the light of Heaven—closes up the scene. Our guide proposed that we should visit the mineral springs that boil up from the depth of an awful cavern, several hundred paces from the Bath-house. A bridge, thrown from rock to rock, crosses the flood, and a narrow ledge of planks, fixed, I know not how, against the side of the rock, and suspended over the fierce torrent, leads through a long dark chasm to the source. I ventured but a little way; for, when I found myself on the terrifying shelf, without the slightest ballustrade, and felt it slippery, from the continual spray, and saw nothing between us and the yawning gulf, to which darkness, thickening at every step, gave increased horror, I made a few rapid reflections on foolhardiness, and retreated.”

The following lines were found in an Album at an Inn in the Canton of Glarus, in the Summer of 1825, written by an anonymous English tourist, immediately after visiting the Baths of Pfeffers.

[Communicated by C. Raine, Esq.]

Oft hast thou marvell’d much, I trow.At him who twirl’d with well pois’d toeOn Strasburg’s pointed spire:—Or him who, on the quivering slopeOf the tight-brac’d elastic rope,Could bound in air much higher:—But had they quaffed the fervid waveInPfeffers’dark and vapoury cave—(Those half adventurous people)—And paced the dizzy, fragile plankAlong the chasm’s terrific flank,They then had scorned the paltry prankOf dancing on a steeple.

Oft hast thou marvell’d much, I trow.

At him who twirl’d with well pois’d toe

On Strasburg’s pointed spire:—

Or him who, on the quivering slope

Of the tight-brac’d elastic rope,

Could bound in air much higher:—

But had they quaffed the fervid wave

InPfeffers’dark and vapoury cave—

(Those half adventurous people)—

And paced the dizzy, fragile plank

Along the chasm’s terrific flank,

They then had scorned the paltry prank

Of dancing on a steeple.

[43]In an old account of the baths we find the following passage:—“The water of these baths is extremely clear, without taste or smell. It bears with it the most subtle spirits of sulphur, nitre, vitriol, and divers metals—amongst others,gold.”

[44]In many people they produce slight vertigo—in more, they act freely on the bowels. They were discovered in the 12th century, by two chasseurs from the neighbouring monastery, who were seeking birds’ nests in the ravine of the Tamina. For a long time they could only descend to these baths by means of ropes; but at length human ingenuity formed zig-zags along the rocks. As if every thing relating to these waters should partake of the wonderful, it may be mentioned that they begin to flow in May, when the Summer is approaching—are at their acmé when the skies are fervid and the land parched with thirst, yielding 1500 pints of water every minute—and cease entirely in September, when the rains begin to fall, and the mountain streams to pour freely along every declivity!

[45]A German writer informs us that the country people stay in these baths from Saturday night till Monday morning. “Tous les Samedis on voit accourir à Pfeffers une multitude de gens des campagne voisines, et ils restent dans le bains jusqu’au Lundi matin pour provoquer la sueur.”

[46]Dr. Engel, of Vienna.

[47]For further particulars, see the Third Edition of my “Economy of Health,” or Stream of Human Life, &c.

[48]Unfortunately I find that gamblingispermitted in Aix by the Prussian government to all non-residents!

[49]In the interval between 1834 and 1840, when I last visited this place, Ems has been completely metamorphosed. I could scarcely recognize it, so much has it been embellished and improved. It is now one of the prettiest spas in Germany. A line of handsome buildings, a mile in length, with a magnificent Cursaal in the centre, stretches along the Lahn, while new edifices are fast rising on the other side of the river. Beautiful promenades are formed all along this line, between the houses and the Lahn, while two bands of music play several hours in the day. The view from the highest point of the Morshutte, is very picturesque.

[50]A short time ago Ems had nearly shaken the foundation of Carlsbad. On cutting down, with incredible labour, through a bed of schistus and other rock, on the opposite side of the Lahn, a spring boiled up with a force equal to that of the Sprudel, and at a temperature of 168° of Fahrenheit! The inundation, by infiltration, from the Lahn, overpowered the efforts of the workmen, and the enterprize was abandoned. Various fragments of masonry and wood were found in this place, rendering it probable that, at some remote period—perhaps in the time of the Romans, there was a thermal fountain in this place. The water is still seen boiling up from the bed of the river at this place, and, on immersing my thermometer in the water of the Lahn there, the mercury stood at 104°.

[51]Ems, Les Eaux Thermales. Par M. Doring, 1839.

[52]Dr. Doring affirms that bathing in the Ems waters is quite as salutary in Winter as in Summer.

[53]By far the pleasantest way to Kissengen is the cross-road, leaving Wurtzburg far to the right. It will occupy about two and a half days’ posting from Frankfort, through a highly picturesque and beautiful country. Aschaffenburgh is the first night’s resting-place. The second days’ journey leads through a portion of the ancient Hercynian forest, and presents very fine scenery.

[54]Balling, p. 33.

[55]Ibidem.

[56]Balling, p. 38-9.

[57]It is a little remarkable that Dr. Granville scarcely makes any allusion to this reactive process so conspicuous in the Kissengen waters—and which is dwelt upon by the writers on all the energetic spas of Germany. It is by far the most important phenomenon which medicinal waters present, and requires the most vigilant attention. I have not the least doubt that it is owing to the want of light aperient alteratives taken over night, by which the biliary and other glandular secretions are kept in a state of activity, corresponding with the action kept up on the bowels by the waters.—See the Section on Carlsbad.

[58]It would have been well if the late Duke of Nassau had observed this rule—or rather if he had avoided these baths entirely.—J.J.

[59]By the way, those visitors, who merely pass a day or two at Kissengen, without any intention of taking the waters, have reason to complain of the tax imposed on them by the King of Bavaria. When the “reckoning” comes in, they find two florins for each person in the party charged by the master of the hotel. I believe, however, that this is an imposition of the hotels, and that four or five days’ residence are allowed, before the tax is due.

[60]It may be proper to state that, in a more recent analysis by ProfessorFrommsdorff, some other ingredients were discovered, although the aggregate quantity of saline matters was 34 grains, as above. The new matters were very minute quantities of oxide of manganese—carbonate of lithion—carbonate of strontian—and phosphate of magnesia.

[61]The Baron suggests the more frequent application of this gas to certain complaints of both sexes which are regarded with no small anxiety by both parties.Verbum sat.

[62]Dr. Clarus, Dr. Granville, and others state that the skin exhales an acid odour, and even feels salt to the tongue for several hours after leaving the bath. This I did not perceive in my own case at all.

[63]There is another source in the forest, ten minutes walk from the Kreuzbrunn, which contains double the quantity of solid materials found in the Carolinenbrunn, termed Waldbrunnen.

[64]Heidler, p. 334.

[65]The apparatus at Marienbad are admirably constructed, both for safety and efficacy. The hole in the lid of the bath embraces, by the aid of a handkerchief, so well the throat, that no gas escapes, while the patient suffers no difficulty of breathing. The gas enters by a tube at the bottom of the bath, and the superfluity is carried off by several others that enter near the top. Some covering is proper over the part exposed to thecurrentof the gas from the pipe, to prevent taking cold—as the clothes do not, in the slightest degree, diminish the action of the gas on the body or members, provided they are light and thin.

[66]Lobkowitz. Ode to the Sprudel—nearly 300 years ago.

[67]The route by the Elbe, from Hamburg, through Dresden and Saxon Switzerland, will now render the journey from London easy.

[68]Note from Mr. Spitta to Dr. Johnson.The ancient history ofCarlsbadis interesting: it shews the powers of mendacious tradition. There is a certain mountain on the left bank of the Teple, termedHirschensprung[Spring of the stag], which carries in its very name a wondrous tale.As early as the middle of the fourteenth century, Charles IV. Emperor of Germany, and King of Bohemia, was pursuing a stag, and the animal, pressed closely by the hounds, ascended that lofty mountain. The huntsmen, unable to follow, on account of the steepness of the ascent, were returning by the bank of the river, supposing they had lost their game, when—imagine their surprise—they heard the cries of the scalded animal on the opposite side. The cause was easily explained. In the last despairing hope of escape, the animal had made a leap, from the top of the Hirschensprung, over the Teple; and had fallen, quite accidentally, into the boiling, bubbling Sprudel. The distance, as the crow flies, may be a mile, perhaps a mile and a half (more or less), a difference in tradition’s eye, of no importance. Thus the stag was found, and the Sprudel discovered, simultaneously. Tradition’s stories are always complete. King Charles happened to have a bad leg, for which (of course) the exercise of hunting was beneficial; he happened to try the waters, and happened to get well. The place henceforth assumed his name, Carlsbad (Charles’ bath), and rose by degrees to the importance it now possesses.

[68]Note from Mr. Spitta to Dr. Johnson.

The ancient history ofCarlsbadis interesting: it shews the powers of mendacious tradition. There is a certain mountain on the left bank of the Teple, termedHirschensprung[Spring of the stag], which carries in its very name a wondrous tale.

As early as the middle of the fourteenth century, Charles IV. Emperor of Germany, and King of Bohemia, was pursuing a stag, and the animal, pressed closely by the hounds, ascended that lofty mountain. The huntsmen, unable to follow, on account of the steepness of the ascent, were returning by the bank of the river, supposing they had lost their game, when—imagine their surprise—they heard the cries of the scalded animal on the opposite side. The cause was easily explained. In the last despairing hope of escape, the animal had made a leap, from the top of the Hirschensprung, over the Teple; and had fallen, quite accidentally, into the boiling, bubbling Sprudel. The distance, as the crow flies, may be a mile, perhaps a mile and a half (more or less), a difference in tradition’s eye, of no importance. Thus the stag was found, and the Sprudel discovered, simultaneously. Tradition’s stories are always complete. King Charles happened to have a bad leg, for which (of course) the exercise of hunting was beneficial; he happened to try the waters, and happened to get well. The place henceforth assumed his name, Carlsbad (Charles’ bath), and rose by degrees to the importance it now possesses.

[69]Although the proportion of iodine and other materials, appears small to theAllopath, it is reckoned prodigious by theHomœopath, who indeed, considers that the surplus waters which flow from the Sprudel into the Teple, are quite sufficient to impregnate the stream of the Elbe at Hamburgh abundantly for all medicinal purposes. M. Creutzburg calculates that, in the course of a season at Carlsbad, during which he drank 404 goblets of the waters, there were 3¼ grains of hydriodate of soda, in that quantity. The quantity of carbonic acid gas in the pint is about 12 cubic inches.

[70]There is another spring, the Bernard’s Brunnen, near the New Brunnen, which has a temperature as high as that of the Sprudel; but I believe it is seldom used. The Schlossbrunnen, much higher up the hill, is the least hot of all—and the Marktbrunnen, near the Muhlbrunn, is next to it in temperature. It exhales some odour of sulphur.

[71]Note from Mr. Spitta.I brought home one of the pretty stamps, made of Sprudelstein; and had the cruelty to break it up for chemical examination. I found it to be composed, as stalactites in all parts of the world are, of the earthy carbonates; which, originally held in solution by carbonic acid gas, are precipitated on its escape. The Sprudel contains a very small quantity of carbonic acid, only sufficient, as Beecher has observed, to keep its earthy carbonates in solution. As the water approaches the exit of the cauldron, and the gas ceases to be under pressure, it resumes its wonted elasticity, passes quietly off with the vapour which issues from the boiler, and leaves its irony carbonates, sticking to the edge of the reservoir. Carbonate of lime is the main ingredient of the Sprudelstein—it contains besides, carbonate of magnesia and iron; to the latter, its reddish-brown colour is to be attributed. There is a portion of iron also, as peroxyde; and minute traces of one or two other substances. With regard to the incrustations: they are nothing more nor less thanpetrifactions(as they are called), made exactly in the same manner as other petrifactions, by the deposition of theearthy carbonates. The difference in colour from other petrifactions arises from the difference in the composition of the Sprudel water and the water in other parts, where thewhiteincrustations are formed. The Sprudel contains a small quantity of thecarbonate of iron. This is deposited with the carbonates of lime and magnesia; and hence the brown colour.

[71]Note from Mr. Spitta.

I brought home one of the pretty stamps, made of Sprudelstein; and had the cruelty to break it up for chemical examination. I found it to be composed, as stalactites in all parts of the world are, of the earthy carbonates; which, originally held in solution by carbonic acid gas, are precipitated on its escape. The Sprudel contains a very small quantity of carbonic acid, only sufficient, as Beecher has observed, to keep its earthy carbonates in solution. As the water approaches the exit of the cauldron, and the gas ceases to be under pressure, it resumes its wonted elasticity, passes quietly off with the vapour which issues from the boiler, and leaves its irony carbonates, sticking to the edge of the reservoir. Carbonate of lime is the main ingredient of the Sprudelstein—it contains besides, carbonate of magnesia and iron; to the latter, its reddish-brown colour is to be attributed. There is a portion of iron also, as peroxyde; and minute traces of one or two other substances. With regard to the incrustations: they are nothing more nor less thanpetrifactions(as they are called), made exactly in the same manner as other petrifactions, by the deposition of theearthy carbonates. The difference in colour from other petrifactions arises from the difference in the composition of the Sprudel water and the water in other parts, where thewhiteincrustations are formed. The Sprudel contains a small quantity of thecarbonate of iron. This is deposited with the carbonates of lime and magnesia; and hence the brown colour.

[72]“Le celebre Carus a publié une tres-interessant Memoire sur les Eaux Minerales, sur leur vitalité, sur leur formation dans le sein de la terre, qu’il considere comme unorganism animé, dont ces eaux sont les secretions, aussi differentes entre elles que les fluides elaborés par les divers organs secretoires du corps humain.”—De Carro.It must be confessed that the idea of daily ingurgitating such lots ofsecretionsfrom some “great unknown” animal in the bowels of the earth, is not a very comfortable one, and requires a stouterstomachthan that which is necessary for the digestion of the bear’s broth at Wisbaden. There is one consolation, that the whole is a dream; since there is just as much proof or probability of the Spas of Germany being asecretionfrom a living animal, as that the German Ocean is a secretion from Neptune or Amphitrite.

It must be confessed that the idea of daily ingurgitating such lots ofsecretionsfrom some “great unknown” animal in the bowels of the earth, is not a very comfortable one, and requires a stouterstomachthan that which is necessary for the digestion of the bear’s broth at Wisbaden. There is one consolation, that the whole is a dream; since there is just as much proof or probability of the Spas of Germany being asecretionfrom a living animal, as that the German Ocean is a secretion from Neptune or Amphitrite.

[73]The remarkable influence of mind over matter, and hope over both, was exemplified in 1839, in the person of Surgeon Fraser, of the Bombay establishment. Being reduced almost to a skeleton by a disease, the nature of which could not be ascertained, he happened to see my review of Dr. Granville’s book, and immediately determined to travelover-landto Carlsbad. He embarked in a steamer for Suez—thence was carried in a litter between two camels across the Desert—embarked again at Alexandria for Constantinople—thence through the Black Sea up the Danube, and on to Carlsbad, all this journey being sustained by hope, aided by “change of air.” At Carlsbad the waters were eagerly taken; but alas! were found to do no good! He lost confidence in them, and proceeded to Marienbad in a litter. He died two days after his arrival there, and left his bones in Bohemia! There is little doubt that had he travelled on, instead of stopping at Carlsbad, he might have reached his native mountains in the Highlands.On dissection the disease was found to be in the mesenteric glands.

On dissection the disease was found to be in the mesenteric glands.

[74]Carlsbad; ses Eaux Minerales. Par De Carro.

[75]Sur les Eaux, p. 167.

[76]It is a curious fact that the waters of Carlsbad often cause a swelling of the ankles, especially in females. Hoffman was the first who noticed this phenomenon.

[77]An English physician has realized a fortune by prescribing on this plan, and enforcing a strict system of diet. The combination used is very nearly the following:—℞.Infus. rosæ c. ℥viss.Acidi sulph. dil. ʒiss.Magnes sulphat. ℥j.Tinct. gent. c. ℥ss.Sulphatis ferri gr. vij.Misce ft. mistura, capt. coch. ij. mag. primo mane et meridie.I prefer the following formula.℞.Extr. col. comp.Pil. rhei. comp. aa ℈j.—— hydrargyri gr. vj.Ol. cassiæ, gtt. iv.Misce ft. pil. xij. capt. i. vel. ij. hora somni omni nocte.℞.Infus. gent. c. ℥vjss.Magnes. sulph. ℥j.Acidi. sulph. aromat. ʒiss.Sulph. ferri. grs. vij.Tinct. aurantii comp. ℥ss.Misce ft. mistura, capt. coch. ij. vel. iij. mag. primo mane,et rept. dosis intra horas duas, si alvus non respondeat.In this formula there is the alterative, the aperient, and the tonic combined, so that no risk is run from any one of the ingredients. Inbothforms, there is some chemical decomposition, but the physiological effects are good.—J. J.

[77]An English physician has realized a fortune by prescribing on this plan, and enforcing a strict system of diet. The combination used is very nearly the following:—

I prefer the following formula.

In this formula there is the alterative, the aperient, and the tonic combined, so that no risk is run from any one of the ingredients. Inbothforms, there is some chemical decomposition, but the physiological effects are good.—J. J.

[78]Les Bains de Gastein, p. 34.

[79]Erroneously spelled Toeplitz by most travellers.

[80]This was the picture which presented itself to Dr. Granville four or five years ago; but all is now changed. A dispute arose between the doctors and the town council of Teplitz, as to the necessity or propriety of having the process of bleeding and bathing simultaneously carried on—the doctors beingpro, and the authoritiescon. Some of the doctors, however, ratted, and declared that the practice of cupping was seldom necessary; and that, where it was deemed prudent, the operation might be performed out of the bath, and without any flow of blood into the water. The practice is now, therefore, almost entirely discontinued.

[81]The whole of the solid contents of the various springs amounts to about five grains in the pint, with a little iron.

[82]This effect did not take place in my own person, nor in that of any other with whom I conversed on the subject. Dr. Richter, the latest writer on the waters, does not mention it in his work, and he told me he had very seldom observed it in the persons of bathers.

[83]This analysis, as well as that of Sedlitz, I obtained at Bilin, at the establishment of Prince Lobkowitz; and they are interesting as being the most recent yet published. This appeared in 1840.

[84]In the “Handbuck,” Mr. Murray has committed a mistake in killing Prince Colleredo here, instead of making him the fortunate soldier—“qui decida la journée.”—Commend me to the Austrian policy. No man knew better than Prince Metternich that one good living General was worth the full of a church-yard of dead ones. Colleredo fought hard, and distinguished himself at the battle of Leipzig after the battle of Culm.

[85]February 1814, and July 1815.

[86]Many of the rocks have acquired distinct and permanent appellations from their rude, but often striking similitudes to animals and other objects. More than one or two royal personages have here their profilesen gigantesque, encompased by other figures of more ignoble character, as “La grande Oie”—“La petite Oie”—“La Pierre de Merles”—“La Pierre de Miel”—“Pierres des Ours,”—“Pierre d’Agneau”—“Pierre de Fourterelle,” &c.

[87]Did Napoleon adopt theBeeas his emblem, because that animal is equally expert in extracting the honey and implanting the sting?

[88]His own words, as reported by Las Casas, were—“I was a Mahomedan in Egypt—a Catholic in France. I do not believe in forms of religion; but in the existence of a Deity.” There is not an infidel or sceptic from the North to the South Pole, who doubts the existence of a God—provided he has sense or reason enough to be able to distinguish his right hand from his left. It was fortunate, perhaps, for Napoleon’s mental sufferings that he believed not in a future state of existence, otherwise the ghost of D’Enghien would have stood by his death-bed, and rendered his last moments most horrible! I need not allude to his divorce of Josephine, for his character in matrimony!

[89]These regalia are now removed to some other place. 1840.

[90]A dagger is here preserved which, on entering the body, separates into three parts, rendering extraction more dangerous than the primary wound!

[91]By the way, the extreme care which the heroes of antiquity, as well as those of the middle-ages, took to cover every part of their bodies with brass and iron plates, does not exhibit any very striking proof of their courage. Why should they not have fought without armour, trusting to activity, bravery, and strength, rather than to coats of mail? In the best days of the Roman legions, they fought without armour.

[92]In Saxony, the punishment of death is by decapitation.

[93]From the researches of the Rev. Mr. Gleig, Scepticism has invaded the Catholic camp!“But, even in Catholic countries, the cloven-foot of Scepticism is for ever thrusting itself from beneath the priest’s robe; while amongst the Protestants,to believe God’s word, as it is written, forms the exception to the general rule which Rationalism has established.”—Vol. I. preface.

[93]From the researches of the Rev. Mr. Gleig, Scepticism has invaded the Catholic camp!

“But, even in Catholic countries, the cloven-foot of Scepticism is for ever thrusting itself from beneath the priest’s robe; while amongst the Protestants,to believe God’s word, as it is written, forms the exception to the general rule which Rationalism has established.”—Vol. I. preface.

[94]He might be represented as a person with two shadows. The shade behind (time past) is tolerably distinct—that which is before (time to come) is dim in the extreme, and ill-defined.

[95]Russell’s Germany, Vol. I. pp. 123.

[96]This trait in Gallic character has never been more clearly discerned, or more cleverly met than by Viscount Palmerston. Palmam qui meruit ferat.

[97]Among the perversions of language we may notice the following in the vocabulary of the French fire-eaters. “Offended pride”meansdetected fraud.

[98]Translations from Goethe and Schiller. By J. S. Dwight. Boston, 1839.

THE END.

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