Frankfort, are the most eligible among the large towns of Germany. Brussels presents likewise many advantages, but is nearly twice as expensive a residence as Bruges. Boulogne is the pleasantest residence in the north of France. Several English have established themselves at Caen and other towns in that neighbourhood, where living is very cheap; though I cannot speak of its other advantages, never having visited that part of the continent. With regard to education, though instruction in accomplishments is more easily obtained abroad, and a knowledge of languages is best acquired in the different countries; yet it is very questionable whether a prolonged residence for young people on the continent be not rather disadvantageous than the reverse, in more respects than one. The passing of several successive years in Italy, or even a single entire year, in some instances is generally prejudicial as far as health is concerned, especially to young people, from the relaxing and enervating nature of the climate, and the prevalence of malaria in some parts. Young ladies in particular frequently exhibit in their countenances and general appearance the marks of a prolonged residence in a southern clime, and I perfectly agree with Lady Blessington, who is likely to be a very good judge of such matters, that "the Italian climate has the same effects on female beauty as a hot-house on rose-buds; but it quickly withers full-grown roses. Women of twenty-five in Italy look quite as passGes as those of thirty-five in England, and after twenty they lose that freshness of complexion which forms so great a charm in our young women. In short, they want the appearance of youth, for the absence of which no beauty can compensate."* England likewise has greatly the advantage over Italy for a permanent residence, as far as longevity is concerned. Thus at Naples the average annual mortality is about one in twenty-eight persons of the whole population; at Florence and Rome it is not much less; whereas in London it amounts only to one in forty; and taking the account for the whole of England, to no more than one in sixty; so that if these statistics be correct, the advantage of England in this respect is manifest; but it does not follow that those who have the power of choosing the periods of their residence, may not frequently avail themselves of that which is good in both, and derive much gratification, as well as benefit to their health, by a visit to Italy for a few months in the year. * Idler in Italy. NOTES. A Long list of articles is given in some of the guide-books as necessaries which families proceeding to the continent should take with them, but which, however requisite many of them might have been twelve or fifteen years ago, would now only be cumbersome, the accommodations on the roads as well as in the towns having so much improved of late years, that few articles would be likely to be required which could not readily be obtained. It will add materially to the comforts and advantage of invalids who travel en poste, to have a courier who rides before, to avoid the delays at the post-stations, at frontiers, &c, and to have apartments at the hotels ready prepared on the arrival of his employers, as these circumstances often occasion a good deal of discomfort and annoyance to persons in bad health. An easy English-built carriage from a maker's on whom reliance can be placed,* fitted up with conve * Turrills of Long Acre (whom the author can with confidence recommend) have always on hand a stock of carriages adapted for continental travelling. faiences, and springs and wheels suited to the continental roads, is requisite for those who wish to travel in comfort. Many of the roads, especially in France and Belgium, are paved, which sometimes occasions considerable fatigue. For elderly and delicate persons who are liable to be affected by the transitions of temperature, a post-chariot is the best: for others a light travelling britscka, or chaise de poste, will best answer the purpose. It is very advisable for invalids, as well as persons in health, not to sit too long at a time in the carriage, but to get out now and then to walk up the hills, or at the post-stations, as by so doing, the fatigue consequent upon the muscles being kept long in the same position will be avoided. Those persons who labour under affections of the air-passages should be provided with a Jeffrey's respirator, though its too frequent use is not to be recommended, as tending to render the respiratory organs more susceptible. A pair of leather sheets may be placed beneath the seat-cushions, as a precaution against damp beds, which, however, are seldom met with in France or Italy. Essence of ginger is a useful stimulant; and a teaspoonful in a cup of tea on arriving after a day's journey is very refreshing. Those who are in weak health, and travellers in general, should eat very sparingly of animal food when on a journey, as it tends to produce heat and flushing. Black tea is one of the most useful articles travellers can be provided with, as it is seldom good in small towns or at inns on the road. As an evening meal, tea, with a little cold meat or chicken, is much preferable to a hot dinner or supper, which not unfrequently is a cause of sleeplessness. Those who are subject to cold feet should be provided with short boots of coarse cloth, to slip on and off, over their ordinary boots, as occasion may require; and a small feet-warmer should be placed in the carriage. A large medicine-chest, which is a constant companion of many families, will be cumbersome and unnecessary, as almost all drugs and medicines of good quality may be obtained in all the towns frequented by invalids. A small chest containing a few articles likely to be required at out-of-theway places, (as lint, soap-plaster, James's powder, a small quantity of calomel, laudanum, extracts of henbane and colocynth, a box of aperient pills, spirits of ammonia, tartarised antimony, castor oil, rhubarb, weights and scales,) will, however, be a useful precautionary addition to the luggage: |