D.-TOUR OF 14 OR 16 DAYS, hard travelling and fine weather.

6 By Grindelwald to Wengern Alp. | ringen.

E. TOUR FOR MODERATE PEDESTRIANS, keeping to the higher parts of the Swiss and Savoy Alps. It is assumed that some days of rest should be allowed to intervene, and that the passes or ascents marked in italics should not be attempted without guides.

The coinage of Switzerland, by a decree of the Diet of 1850, has been reduced to conformity with that of France. The current money is francs and centimes, and the old Swiss batz is no longer a legal tender. This new and uniform coinage is distinguished by the word HELVETIA on the obverse, and is among the best in Europe.

The silver coins consist of pieces of 5 francs, 2 francs, 1 franc, and franc (50 centimes). The small coins consist of pieces of 5, 10, and 20 centimes, struck in base metal, and are much more convenient than French or English copper. Centimes are sometimes called rappen. The old batz was worth 15 centimes. The old Swiss franc was a French franc and a half. Previously to this salutary change there was hardly a country in Europe which had so complicated a currency as Switzerland. Almost every canton had a coinage of its own, and those pieces that were current in one canton would not pass in the next; as a change has been contemplated in England, it may be interesting to know that, within six months after the new system was introduced, all trace of the old denominations was gone, except that the expression "franc de France," instead of "franc," was common. In remote districts the children begging screamed for centimes as if they had never heard of any other coin.

French Napoleons and francs, current all over Switzerland, are the best money the traveller can take with him; but English sovereigns and banknotes are usually taken at inns throughout Switzerland and on the Italian lakes, at a value of 25 francs.

A very safe method of carrying money is by circular notes issued by Coutts & Co., Herries & Co., the London and Westminster Bank, and other banks, payable at all the large towns in Europe. They may be procured for any sum from 107. upwards.

The coinage of Italy is the same as that of France; but the old coinage of Piedmont, and Austrian zwanzigers, are still in circulation in the remoter districts.

The following table may be useful on the road to Switzerland:

Change for a Sovereign = 6 thalers 21 silv. gr., or 11 gulden 46 kr.; but the exchange varies.

§ 4. MEASURES.-DISTANCES.-ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

=

In 1848 by the New Federal Constitution it was decreed that the Swiss foot should consist of 30 centimètres, or ths of a French mètre:—that 16,000 of these feet, or 4800 mètres, should go to a Swiss league 2 Eng. miles, 7 furlongs, 190 yards = 2.983 Eng. miles:-23, Swiss leagues to a degree. A Swiss post is 3 Swiss leagues = 9 Eng. miles, nearly. 1 Swiss pied = 10 pouces = 100 lignes = 1000 traits.

On the Federal map of Dufour, and on most maps of Switzerland, the heights above the sea-level are indicated in French mètres.

An approximate way of reducing French ft. to English ft. is to add th.

The distances in this work have been reduced to English miles, which are always to be understood wherever the word mile alone is used.

To calculate the distance along the mountain-paths is almost hopeless. In this work, therefore, it has been reckoned as the natives reckon it, in hours, meaning thereby the distance which a mule with an ordinary load usually travels in that time; and this is to be understood on bridle-paths whenever the word hour alone is used.

The hour of course varies with the nature of the ground. In very steep ascents it does not exceed 2 miles, in lesser acclivities 2 miles; but * 1 kilomètre 10 hectomètres 4 furlongs 213 yards 1 foot 11 inches.

The Swiss stunde and league are of the same length, viz. 31 yds. short of 3 Eng. miles.

on the mountains it is never more than 24 miles. Experienced travellers know that to clear 2 miles an hour up a steep mountain requires very good walking. An active person will gain 5 or 10 minutes an hour on mules when going up, and still more when coming down; but those not accustomed to exertion, or unused to mountain work, will find difficulty in keeping up with riders when the ascent is steep. The mules are nearly as long on the descent; and therefore no difference is made in the ordinary reckoning whether the path be up or down hill. It may be noted once for all, that, when nothing to the contrary is stated in the text, the time given in the following pages for bridle-paths may be reduced by one-fifth in the case of pedestrians who are able to maintain their pace. In climbing ordinary mountains they will find, as a general rule, that every 1500 ft. of vertical height takes one hour.

The sudden and almost simultaneous establishment of the electric telegraph along the high roads of the country was very remarkable. There is now scarcely a second-rate town or village that is not thus connected; and from any of them a message not exceeding 20 words can be sent for half a franc to any part of Switzerland. Luxurious or anxious travellers can thus, before starting in the morning, secure quarters for the night, or even order their dinner beforehand. The name of the sender is written at the end of the message. It is always worth while to take the telegram yourself, and to pay for an answer, adding, "Réponse payée." The mode of arranging the wire is excessively primitive and economical, but seems to be effectual. It is stated that the insulation is not affected by the wires being covered with snow, and in many instances they are in contact with foliage.—It is singular and striking to see them surmounting the steep ascent and gloomy solitudes of such passes as the Gries. The central office is at Zofingen (Rte. 4.) Telegram of 20 words to London 7 fr., to other stations in England 8 fr.

Postal Regulations:-A uniform postage of 10 c. for letters below 10 grammes; if not prepaid, 15 cents. For distances within 2 leagues, 5 c. For letters and parcels not exceeding 250 gr. (lb.), 20 c. Postage to England of a letter not weighing more than 7 grammes, 50 cents.

§ 5. MODES OF TRAVELLING IN SWITZERLAND.-POSTING.

The means of travelling in Switzerland have been greatly improved and increased within the last 30 years. The high roads are excellent, and those over the Alps are marvels of engineering skill. Where railways are absent, diligences run; and since 1823, when the first experiment with steam was made on the Lake of Geneva, every one of the large lakes has been navigated by steamboats.

The Federal Government adopted in 1852 a general and uniform system of Posting (Extrapost), which has been introduced into all parts of the country, and the great roads are now supplied with post-horses, except where railways have been completed. There is still, however, difficulty in posting into Italy, except over the St. Gothard, and in Savoy. Full information respecting the posting system may be obtained from the Official Swiss Post Book (Tarif Suisse de la Poste aux Chevaux), or the smaller Extra-post Tarif, to be obtained at every post-bureau.