ΤΟ THE CONTINENT: A DESCRIPTIVE HAND-BOOK TO THE CHIEF PLACES OF RESORT: THEIR CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES, CLIMATES, SCENERY, AND REMEDIAL WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE AND TRAVELLING. BY EDWIN LEE, HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE PRINCIPAL CONTINENTAL MEDICAL AUTHOR OF "THE BATHS OF GERMANY," ETC. ETC. LONDON:-W. J. ADAMS, BRADSHAW'S BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL GUIDE OFFICE, 59, FLEET STREET. 1851. 203. b. 45. HI PREFACE. THE increased facilities for locomotion having rendered distance little more than nominal, a visit to the Continent is regarded much in the same light as was formerly a trip to one of our wateringplaces; and there being now uninterrupted communication by steam from all parts of Great Britain to Germany on the one hand, and through France to the Mediterranean Sea on the other, almost all the places of resort abroad are of comparatively easy access; so that, as regards valetudinarians more especially, the objection arising from the manifold inconveniences of a long journey on the high-roads, is in a great measure obviated; and travelling, the remedy which, from the earliest periods, has been recommended in chronic diseases, is generally available.* To meet the requirements of the pleasure-seeking tourist, * "In longis morbis solum mutare."-Hippocrates, Aphorisms. there exists an abundant supply of hand-books, containing detailed descriptions of objects of interest, so that any addition to these, unless possessing extraordinary merits, would be useless. While briefly adverting to the leading features of particular localities, it has been my chief object to dwell more particularly upon those points upon which information is required by invalids, and the large class of travellers who seek to combine recreation with restoration to health-as also by the medical profession. Having, during many years, enjoyed opportunities of investigating the respective advantages offered by different localities, in this respect, by repeated visits and residences in several of them, for longer or shorter periods, I have endeavoured, in former publications, to record, in a concise and impartial manner, the results of my observations; adducing likewise, and qualifying, when an undue bias rendered it necessary, the opinions of competent local authorities, and availing myself of the statistical information collected by those, who have treated in a more general point of view, climate, and other subjects having reference to health. With regard to climate in particular, it has appeared to me, from frequently observing the mistakes which occur respecting the choice of localities, by patients and practitioners, that the more general diffusion of information, which might lead to a more correct appreciation of this remedial agent—as well as of the places frequented on this account-could not fail to be acceptable, the only work on this subject which we possess being that of Sir James Clark. Accordingly, I have taken pains to make this portion of the work as complete as pos- . sible, by the addition of general remarks on the influence of climate, and tables of comparative temperature, &c., from the most recent authentic sources. Although a new and more comprehensive title has been given to the present work, it may be regarded as a greatly improved edition of the Continental Traveller and Invalid's Hand-book, which appeared three years ago, and was most favourably received and reviewed in many of the leading metropolitan and provincial periodicals, though objections were made to my referring to the stirring events of that period. All allusion to political, or other topics of the day, is now omitted; and, notwithstanding the quantity of additional matter, the price has been reduced, and the volume is published in a more portable form. In the Appendix, I have not deemed it a digres |