pockets and girdle others are sticking out for future consumption. Notice the immense stone bears that guard the entrance through the Morat Gate.

Berne to Olten; time, 1 h. 42 m.; fare, 7 fr. 20 c.

Berne to Thun; time, 42 m.; fare, 3 fr. 35 c.; return, 5 fr. ;—to Scherzlingen (landing-place); time, 50 m.; fare, 3 fr. 45 c.

Berne to Lausanne, via Fribourg; time, h. 42 m.; fare, 10 fr. 95 c.

Berne to Paris (express route), via Bienne, Delémont, and Belfort, time, 12 h. 12 m.; fare, 72 fr. 65 c.

Berne to Neufchatel; time, 1 h. 35 m.; fare, 7 fr. 15 c.

The Federal Palace, where the National Council holds its sittings, is a very handsome stone building, erected in the Floren-2 tine style by M. Studer. It may be visited at any time (the concierge is at the right of the principal entrance). If in Berne during the month of July, attend the sittings of the Diet: the debate is often very interesting, and is carried on in the German, French, and Italian. An interpreter is present to resume the argument in French or German, that all may understand, as some members speak Italian only, some French, and some German. In the upper floor of the Federal Palace is the Kunstsaal, or Picture-gallery, which contains some very fine modern paintings. A beautiful view may be obtained from the summit of the building. Opposite is the new Museum, used now as a club-house. Introduction by a member.

[Travelers who are pressed for time, and who are consequently unable to follow the different tours as we have described them, can make a very interesting three-days' excursion through the Bernese Oberland by adopting the following programme: Berne to Thun, steamer to Darlingen, rail to Interlaken, steamer to Giessbach Falls, boat to Brienz, and carriage to Meiringen. Next day walk to the Great Scheideck, Grindelwald, Little Scheideck, and the Wengern-Alp. Third day to LauterbrunFalls of Staubbach, Interlaken, Thun, and Berne.]

nen,

Notice the elegant marble fountain erected in front of the palace in 1858, surmount- From Berne to Herzogenbuch, one hour; ed with the statues of the Four Seasons. passing Burgdorf, a fine town, substantialBerne is noted for its numerous charita-ly built, where Pestalozzi established his ble institutions. Orphan asylums, a lunatic famous school. asylum, a foundling hospital, an infirmary, and a penitentiary, are all fine institutions, and well conducted.

The old fortifications have been converted into beautiful promenades, and on clear days the Alps may be distinctly seen from them. A most beautiful view will be obtained by driving to the Schänzli, a lovely promenade at the end of the bill, on the banks of the Aar.

Another good point of view is from the Gurten, a high ridge above the Aar, to the south of the city. It embraces the entire Bernese Oberland, the Stockhorn range, and the Jura mountains.

A visit should also be paid to the Enge, a beautiful terrace walk about twenty minutes from Berne. It is a kind of peninsula, almost surrounded by the river, and is a favorite place of resort for the citizens. Near to this is the Castle of Reichenbach, formerly the residence of Rudolph von Erlach.

Berne to Lucerne, via Langnau (mail); time, 2 b. 48 m.; fare, 11 fr. ;-from Lucerne, 3 h. 3 m.

Berne to Basle in 3 h.; fare, 11 fr. 50 c.

Herzogenbuch contains 4500 inhabitants, and there is a very fair restaurant at the station.

ROUTE 18. From Leuk, or the Baths of Leuk, to Interlaken and Thun, via the Gemmi Pass.

This excursion should be made from the Rhone valley, instead of from Thun, as the great ascent, nearly 2000 feet, and that perpendicular, is on the side and near the Baths of Leuk; and to persons of weak nerves it is quite alarming to look down continually at the awful chasm beneath, although there is not the slightest danger, unless one become giddy, and throw himself over the precipice, as a French lady did some years ago.

If leaving Vevay or Lausanne to make this excursion, the distance from either as far as Leuk is by rail; time from Lau

sanne, 4 h. 7 m.; fare, 15 fr. 30 c. Leuk is about eight miles distant from the baths. The principal hotel in the place is the Couronne. The town, which contains 1250 inhabitants, is picturesquely situated, and commanded by a fine old castle.

The carriage-road ascends for eight and a half miles through the beautiful gorge of the Dala, and, passing over the Dala bridge, mounts in zigzags to Leukerbad, a charming view of the Rhone valley continually in view.

Leukerbad (in French, Louèches-les-Bains), Hôtel des Alps, De France, and Bellevue. All these houses take visitors en pension.

as well as the visitors, must dress pretty much à la même.

An excursion should be made to Mont Torrenthorn. The ascent occupies three and a half hours from the baths by means of horses, which cost 10 frs. The summit commands a wonderful prospect of the mountains and glaciers of the Bernese Oberland; also of the Penine range, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, etc. This excursion, as well as that to Albinen, may be made in coming from Sierre.

From Leukerbad to Kandersteg, time 7 hours; fare for horse, 15 frs. This is one of the most picturesque, wild, and apparently dangerous passes in Europe, but the beauty and grandeur of the passage will well repay the danger. We would not, however, advise ladies who are subject to dizziness to make this tour. A French lady, in 1861, coming from Kandersteg, was seized with vertigo, fell from her horse, and was dashed to pieces in the abyss below. This was in making the descent, which is more difficult than the ascent. The trip is made on horse or mule back, or on foot. At some particular places it would be well to dismount if riding. The road for a portion of the way is merely a she'f cut into the face of the solid perpendicular rock, about four feet wide. At all of the dangerous places there is a small wall on the outside of the path for the benefit of persons of unsteady nerves.

The town is situated in an elevated position (4500 feet above the level of the sea), in the midst of a fine green plain in the basin of the mountain. The village contains about 600 inhabitants. Board by the day from eight to nine francs; by the week, from six to seven per day. The hot springs are much celebrated; their average temperature is 120° Fahr. The season begins in June and ends in October. The patient generally commences with a bath of a half-hour's duration, and gradually increases to eight hours-five before and three after dinner. The baths are about twenty feet square, and capable of accommodating twenty persons at a time, who, male and female, bathe in common; the ladies' dressing-room on one side, the gentlemen's on the other, both communicating with the baths. Here, dressed in long woolen robes, they eat, read, converse, flirt, and play chess. In each room is a gallery where spectators are admitted to look on or to converse with the bathers. The sight is most amusing to see-fifteen or twenty heads, which appear floating on the water, surrounded by swimming tables containing chess-boards, newspapers, books, and coffee-cups. Around the walls are suspended rules and regulations for the purpose of preserving decorum. Arguments on religious questions are proscribed. Any person violating the rules is fined from two to twenty francs, which is enforced by the burgomaster of the town. The baths are open from 4 A.M. until 10 A.M., and from 2 to 5 P.M. There are nu- To the east of the village lies the Oeschi merous interesting excursions in the vicin-nen-Thal, a valley four miles in length. ity of Leukerbad-that to the town of Al- which should be visited if the traveler have binen by the "ladders" is perhaps the most a day to spare crossing the pass. exciting. The men and women of the town, head is a passage under the rocks of Fel

Half-way between Leukerbad and Kandersteg we pass the small and solitary inn of Schwarenbach, which is the only one between the two points: it is a dreary place. In 1807 the daughter of the old innkeeper was assassinated by two Italians, and six years later the German poet Werner lived here several weeks, and here laid the plot of his drama, "The 24th of February."

Kandersteg is a small village of 500 inhabitants, the first we meet in the valley: its situation is charming, and from it a magnificent panorama of the mountains may be seen. Hôtel Bär and H. Victoria, some distance apart. Distance to Thun twenty-two and a half miles; one-horse carriage, 20 frs.; two horses, 40 frs.

At its

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ern

A.M., and from 2 to 5 P.M. There are numerous interesting excursions in the vicin-nen-Thal, a valley four miles in length. To the east of the village lies the Oeschi which should be visited if the traveler have a day to spare crossing the pass. At its head is a passage under the rocks of Fel

ity of Leukerbad that to the town of Albinen by the "ladders" is perhaps the most exciting. The men and women of the town,