Guide to Switzerland

Abstract

MODERN tourists, and in particular those who wander in companies, are prone to haunt certain familiar centres, Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Chamonix, Pontresina, and to confine their excursions within narrow bounds. Messrs. Macmillan have designed a handbook to meet the needs of this class. In many respects the conception of the volume is good, but the execution is faulty and unequal. To deal first with its merits. The eulogy of the political institutions of the Swiss Republic, and the notes on the nature of glaciers, introduced among the preliminary chapters, ought to interest and inform the better class of sightseers, while practical suggestions on health and outfit are useful to all. The separate hotel list will be found convenient for reference; houses frequented by our countrymen are distinguished by larger type, and prices are in many cases quoted. As a whole, the list seems to be compiled with care, but there are singular omissions; amongst them we have noted Binn, St. Beatenberg, Montana, Piora, Promontogno, Lanzo d'Intelvi, all well-known stopping places. At Binn, the text tells us, “refreshments can be procured, and if necessary beds obtained at the Curè's.” The village has for years had a large hotel with an English chaplain attached. The inns on the tour of Mont Blanc, at Contamines, Nant Borrant, Chapieux, are mentioned in the route, but not in the list.

Guide to Switzerland.

Pp. cvi + 235; with 31 maps and 6 plans. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1903.) Price 5s. net.