SWITZERLAND AS A HEALTH RESORT. 195 As there is some misapprehension as to the benefit to be derived to health from a Swiss tour, we are led up to a note upon SWITZERLAND AS A HEALTH RESORT. The value of a tour in Switzerland to those desirous of recruiting their health, weakened by over-study or exertion, is annually becoming more and more recognised, a circumstance likely to occasion a considerable increase each year in the number of tourists, proceeding to that magnificent and grandly picturesque country. It is well known that Her Majesty found her health considerably improved by her short sojourn in the vicinity of Lucerne; and many eminent physicians are beginning to strongly recommend the bracing air of the Swiss mountains to those suffering from congestion of the brain, nervous diseases, dyspepsia, and various other maladies. Professor Tyndal, Mr. Dodson, M.P., and other well-known public men, have repeatedly spoken enthusiastically in favour of the romantic land of Tell as a place where those accustomed to considerable mental exertion may derive a vast amount of rest and relief. Where a residence of more than two or three days is intended in any particular locality, the mountain villages should be resorted to if practicable. A metropolitan journal of high repute says that "Twenty and even ten years ago it was difficult to find any comfortable place of residence five or six thousand feet high; but now such places may be counted almost in dozens. Formerly ladies, and even men occasionally, would boast of having slept in a hospice; and places of that sort, where there was no accommodation or desire for your continued residence, were the only places of shelter within, or close up to, the regions of perpetual ice and snow. But the great increase of travellers and the laudable, however sneered at, efforts of the members of the Alpine Club, have pushed hotels in abundance high into the upper regions of Switzerland, wherever suitable spots can be found free from the danger of avalanches, easily accessible on mules by mountain paths, and with some opportunity for easy walking in the neighbourhood." The wonderful active influence of Alpine air in restoring the mind and body to their naturally healthy tone and condition, has long been known to continental physicians; but the comparative expense of a Swiss tour in former years had hitherto proved a serious obstacle in the way of a journey to Switzerland being recommended by British medical men, save to patients possessed of ample means. Messrs. Cook and Son's Swiss tourist arrangements have, however, completely obviated many of the difficulties and inconveniences formerly experienced by those whose pecuniary resources are comparatively limited, and hence the ever-increasing popularity of the various Swiss tours which have been organised by them. Mr. Dale, whose pen has been used for many good purposes, makes the following remarks in a paper on "Summer Holidays :" we insert them with a respectful wish that they may be read, not only as statements, but as advice. "The physical benefits which come from a month among the mountains or by the sea, are obvious; but summer holidays may have other uses which, perhaps, are not so often thought of. Apart altogether from any direct intention to employ the pleasant leisure for the highest ends, most men are the better for it. A precocious child, after reading the inscriptions in a churchyard, which recorded the incomparable virtues of the dead lying beneath, wondered where they buried all the bad people; and I have often wondered, when away from home, where the illtempered and irritable people go for their holiday. How genial every one seems to be on a Rhine steamer! Who was ever known to be out of temper on Loch Katrine? Meet a man at the Furca, and walk with him to the Grimsel, and you are sure to find him one of the most kindly of the human race. Share a carriage to Inverary with people you chance to meet at Oban, and you think it would be charming to travel with them for a month. Extortionate bills and rainy weather may ruffle the temper for a moment, but so far as I have observed, if a tourist ticket' is ever issued to a cantankerous man (of which I have serious doubts), he no sooner gets it into his waistcoat pocket than it acts like a charm. If we could only keep some of our acquaintances always on the top of a Highland coach, or crossing Swiss passes, or climbing Welsh hills, what a happy thing it would be for them-and for us! No theological reading does them half as much good as 'Murray' or 'Bædeker,' and a volume of 'Black' is more useful to them than a score of sermons." Will it be out of place to make one remark of a character unusual in guide-books? It is with reference to Sundays abroad, and the few words of advice offered are not given in the spirit of Pharisaism, but rather as in friendly confidence. Too many tourists-we speak from long observa tion-seem to forget that the obligations binding them to the observance of Sunday at home are equally binding abroad, nay, more so, for in thousands of instances all that our foreign brethren know personally of English Protestantism is learnt from English tourists, and it is the more incumbent now that so many thousands flock abroad annually, that our national religion should not be misrepresented. Apart, however, from the question of moral obligation and the intuition of conscience, it is in the power of every tourist to support and strengthen the many agencies for doing good which are organized in most of the large cities on the continent, by attending the services of the Sabbath. Another motive, a lower one still, but a very important one notwithstanding, is, that nothing adds more to the enjoyment of the mental and physical labours of a tour than an occasional day of perfect rest and quiet. For these reasons, and many more which we could give, were this the time or place, we trust no apology will be needed for our remarks on English Sabbath keeping abroad. |