entering from the Eger side, the valley expands into a more open space, bounded by pine-covered hills, and laid out as a garden. On the left are about a dozen large and handsome lodging-houses, the mansion of Prince Metternich being in the centre. At right angles with this range of buildings is another row of larger houses; the Tepl-Haus being at one extremity, and Klinger's large hotel and boarding-house at the other. During the season about a hundred people sit down daily to the table d'hôte. Adjoining is a colonnade and promenade room, leading to the Kreutzbrunnen, the principal spring, which rises beneath a cupola, surmounted by a large gilt cross, and which has a more than European reputation. From the Kreutzbrunnen, houses are continued up the hill, and terminate at the old bath-house, forming altogether almost a square, enclosing the public promenade, where, in the season, are booths for the sale of fancy articles. The surrounding hills are equally disposed in walks; that leading to the miniature Switzerland commands the best view.

This neighbourhood abounds in mineral springs. Those of Marienbad may be divided into three classes, viz. the Kreutzbrunnen and Ferdinandbrunnen, which are saline and aperient; the Caroline and Ambrosius, which are chalybeate; and the Marienbrunnen and Waldquelle, which are acidulous. The mud and gas baths are very efficient at Marienbad. Dr. Herzig, one of the resident practitioners, is mostly consulted by English visiters.

Carlsbad is likewise situated in a romantically picturesque position, on the banks of the little river Tepel, and occupying a narrow winding valley, enclosed be

tween lofty hills, clothed to their summits with pine, beach, and ash, whereon numerous paths, easy of ascent, have been constructed, leading to points which command extensive views of the surrounding country. In the neighbourhood are several houses of entertainment, situated in beautiful spots, to which visiters resort to take tea or other refreshments. The beauty of the environs presents also strong inducements for more distant excursions. The chief point of réunion is the Wiese, where the valley is somewhat wider, so as to admit of trees and booths between the houses and the river. At the end of this promenade are the public rooms and restaurateurs, the Salles de Saxe and de Bohème, dinners being served à la carte, and where concerts are occasionally given.

Carlsbad offers but few resources for the amusement of the idler, being chiefly resorted to by invalids. There is not that indiscriminate mixture of society which is met with at other baths, where the goddess of pleasure has numerous votaries. There are no balls; and games of hazard, which at some other places attract a crowd of adventurers, are not allowed, neither are there tables d'hôte; and the dishes served up at dinner are generally plain, many articles which would be likely to interfere with the action of the waters being prohibited by the medical censors, whose authority, if not openly exercised, is at least tacitly admitted by hotel-keepers and traiteurs, so that invalids have seldom the opportunity of committing those errors in diet which so frequently render nugatory a course of mineral waters.

On the right bank of the river rises the Sprudel, exhibiting to the beholder the phenomenon of a perpe

meat.

tual jet d'eau as thick as a man's arm, and varying from three to five feet in height. The immediate neighbourhood of the spring is constantly enveloped in vapour, and an odour is perceptible resembling that of boiled On the edge of the basin into which the water flows, is observable a thick green slimy substance, which has been ascertained to, consist of innumerable animalculæ, of a similar nature with the oscillatoria found in several other thermal springs, the presence of which has been adduced by some authors in corroboration of the opinion of the vitality of mineral springs.

Close to the Sprudel rises the Hygea, which supplies the adjoining baths. On the opposite side, and lower down the river, are the three other springs principally used, viz., Muhlbrunnen, Neubrunnen, and Theresienbrunnen. Besides these are several others, as the Schlossbrunnen, Bernardsbrunnen, &c., which are comparatively little used. A new spring arose last year in the market-place; it does not, however, materially differ from the others in its properties. Close to the above-mentioned three springs, and above the river, is a covered gallery, where the greater number of water drinkers meet, between five and seven in the morning; an excellent musical band being always in attendance at these hours. Another is also stationed at the

Sprudel.

There are no mineral springs which have stood higher in general estimation than those of Carlsbad, and none which, since their first discovery, have better sustained their reputation through successive generations, nor are there any on which so much has been written. The first work of importance respecting them, which

appeared as far back as 1522, was 'written by Dr. Payer, and was termed Tractatus de Thermis Caroli IV.

About eight hours' drive through an agreeable country will bring the traveller to the handsome city of Prague, which, being built on seven hills, and also from containing a profusion of churches and other religious establishments, has been likened to Rome. As the Tiber flows through Rome, and is crossed by a bridge ornamented with statues, so the Moldau, having a similar bridge, divides Prague into two parts. On the river's left bank are numerous gardens and vineyards, continued up the hills, which are crowned with fortifications, and the citadel, with the Haradschin Palace, are particularly conspicuous. This was for some years the residence of Charles X. The object of greatest interest is the cathedral, dedicated to St. Veit (who has given the name to a common disease-chorea, or St. Vitus's Dance-from the circumstance of persons affected with the complaint being accustomed to resort for cure to a chapel dedicated to the Saint, near Ulm). The edifice is one of the finest remnants of gothic architecture, and contains many precious reliques and curiosities, especially the magnificent monument erected to St. John of Nepomak, the patron saint of Bohemia, whose anniversary, in May, lasts eight days, at which period crowds of devotees flock to the shrine, and encumber the bridge on which his statue is placed (being the spot whence he was cast into the Moldau). The number of colossal statues on this bridge is twentyeight; and it may afford an indication of the state of religious feeling in Bohemia to mention that, a few years ago, passengers took off their hats or bent the

knee to the statue of the patron saint, while the adjoining one of Jesus was entirely disregarded. Prague was the head-quarters of Wallenstein, whose palace is one of the finest in the city, in which this general held an almost regal court.

"Owing to the number of palaces, churches, public buildings, and other splendid remains of its ancient grandeur," says the English Resident in Germany, "Prague is more imposing than Vienna, and far preferable as a residence, the situation being much more salubrious, and the climate more mild and equable, the cold in winter rarely exceeding twenty-four degrees R., and generally averaging between seven and ten; while during the greatest heat of summer the thermometer seldom rises above twenty-three. Dr. Stultz, a celebrated German physician, who has written upon the relative salubrity of German towns, considers Prague one of the most healthy in the empire, and asserts that it is no uncommon occurrence for the inhabitants to attain the age of a hundred, or even sometimes a hundred and fifteen years. The provisions are good and cheap, and an excellent red wine, resembling Burgundy, is produced in the neighbourhood. The theatre equals that of Vienna: public and private concerts are also very frequent, and, except Vienna, there is no town in Germany where music is cultivated with so much success. Indeed this taste may in the Bohemians be termed truly national, for they excel both in vocal and instrumental; and not a few of the natives travel to Italy, acquire the language, Italianize their names, and make large fortunes at Vienna. Their language, which is