washed away the upper bridge, and reached within a few feet of the others. (See views of the Viamala.) There are two hundred and forty glaciers in the Grisons, one of which, Rheinwald, forms the source of the Hinter Rhine. In the valleys of the Grisons are a number of villages, more noted for their beautiful situations and grandeur of the scenery which surrounds them, than for size and wealth. Among these may be mentioned Schiersch, Grusch, Malix, Rhazuns, and Alvaschein. The village of Fideris is in the Landquart valley, twelve miles north-east of Chur. Klosters is on the Landquart, four miles north-east of Fideris. (See views.) GLARUS Is a canton of Switzerland, between St. Gall, the Grisons, Schwytz, and Uri, containing an area of two hundred and eighty square miles. The chief river, Linth, having a course of twentyfive miles, and its affluents, enter Lake Wallenstatt. It flows through a picturesque country, and on its banks is Glarus, the capital of the canton, in the rear of which rises Glarnisch, a steep and precipitous mountain, the peak of which is eight thousand nine hundred and twenty-five feet above the level of the sea. (See views.) The culminating point of this canton, and also of East Switzerland, is Mount Dodi, having an altitude of eleven thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven feet. The chief town is GLARUS, The capital, on the Linth, at the foot of Mount Glarnisch, containing a hospital, free school, public library and readingroom, and manufactories of muslins, cottons, woolen cloths, etc. Population of the city, four thousand and eighty-two. (See views.) Population of the canton, thirty-three thousand three hundred and sixty-three. VALAIS Is a canton in the south-eastern part of Switzerland, bounded on the north by Vand and Bern, and on the south by Italy. Area, about two thousand and sixteen square miles; population in 1860, ninety thousand seven hundred and ninety-two. It forms a single long and deep valley, between the Bernese and Pennine Alps, two of the loftiest mountain chains of Europe, and is drained by the Rhone, which originates in the glacier of Gallenstock, (see view) and enters Lake Geneva. This valley has been described as an immense trough, seventy miles in length, one and one-half miles in depth, and two miles wide at the bottom. The higher elevations are covered with the greatest of Swiss glaciers, and the whole canton is exposed to impetuous torrents and destructive avalanches. In the north are the Goimsel and Gemmi, and in the south the Great St. Bernard and Simplon passes. Two important peaks of this canton are Mont Rosa, having an altitude of fifteen thousand two hundred and eight feet, and Mount Cervin, having an altitude of fourteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-one feet. The former is inferior in hight only to Mount Blanc, of the Pennine Alps, from which it is fifty miles distant. (See view of Mont Rosa.) The cultivated portion of Valais comprises a strip of land from one-half to three-fourths of a mile wide, on each side of the Rhone. Considerable quantities of corn are here produced. A railroad ascends this valley as far as Sion. The chief towns are Sion, the capital, Martigny, and Vispach. The other cantons of Switzerland, not yet described, are Aargau, Appenzell, Basel, Freyburg, Geneva, Lucerne, Neufchatel, St. Gall, Schaffhausen, Swytz, Soleure, Ticino, Thurgau, Unterwalden, Uri, Vaud, Zug, and Zurich. The best cultivated are Basel, Aargau, Thurgan, Vaud, and Geneva. The chief productions are spelt, wheat, rye, barley, Turkish corn, oats, and tobacco. The chief cities are Geneva, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Zurich, St. Gall, Lucerne, Freyburg, Neufchatel, Schaffhausen, Soleure, Lugano, Aarau, Glarus, and Appenzell. GENEVA, The most populous city of Switzerland, and capital of a canton of its own name, occupies the slope of two hills, at the western end of Lake Geneva, where that body discharges the Blue Rhone. The city is built on both sides of the river, which is crossed by several bridges. The lower portion of the city is the chief district of trade, and is irregularly and poorly built. The upper portion, however, the seat of the aristocracy, contains a large number of elegant hotels and private residences and villas. The most important public buildings are the cathedral, town house, casino, penitentiary, and Musee Rath, a tasty building named after its founder. The cathedral is a Gothic edifice, flanked by three massive towers, and occupying a commanding situation on the highest ground in the city. Among the educational establishments may be mentioned the Calvin college and academy. Geneva has a museum of natural history, a botanic garden, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of watches and jewelry. It is surrounded on three sides by walls, and is entered by three gates. Population twenty-nine thousand one hundred and eight. (See views of Geneva.) ST. GALL, A city and capital of a canton of the same name, is eighteen miles south-east of Constance, in a mountain valley, two thousand one hundred and fifty feet above sea-level. The environs of the city are beautiful, and contain many fine walks and promenades. It contains a cathedral, monastery, town house, post office, three churches, a public square, a number of fountains, and manufactories of linen, cotton, fine muslins, etc. Population in 1860, fourteen thousand five hundred and thirty-two.. (See views of St. Gall.) APPENZELL, An important city of Switzerland, and capital of Inner Rhodes, in the canton of Appenzell, is six miles south of St. Gall. It has a number of churches, a council house, an arsenal, baths, and manufactories of linen. Population two thousand nine hundred and ten, chiefly Roman Catholics. (See view of Appenzell.) CHAPTER IV. AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, GERMANY, AND RUSSIA. AUSTRIA. Austria, next to Russia, is the largest province of Europe. The inhabitants are of different races, speaking as many different languages. The general surface is mountainous, abounding in beautiful and romantic scenery. The plains are not extensive, occupying less than one-fifth of the surface. The principal valleys are found in Tyrol, Solsburg, Styria, and Illyria. The loftiest mountains are in Tyrol, Styria, and Illyria. VIENNA, The capital and largest city of Austria, is situated on a branch of the Danube, about two miles from the main stream. It consists of the city proper and upwards of thirty suburbs. The most important of the church edifices, are the Cathedral of St. Stephen, a massive gothic structure three hundred and fifty feet long, by two hundred and thirty-five deep, ninety feet high, and built of hewn limestone; and the court parish church, founded by Frederick the Fair, in 1330. It contains a beautiful monument to the Archduchess, Christina, and in the chapel the hearts of the imperial family are preserved. Among the palaces and government edifices are the imperial palace, the palaces of Archduke Charles, Belvedere, one built by Prince Eugene, and those of Count Schonborn, Prince Auersperg, etc. The chief government buildings are the national bank, mint, town house, and the Imperial and Civil arsenals, in both of which are collections of ancient armor. The monuments of the city are not numerous. The finest are an equestrian and colossal statue of Joseph II., one of the late Emperor Francis I., the monument and statue to the Virgin, and the marble statue of Theseus. (See views in Vienna.) LINZ, A city of upper Austria, is fortified by a circle of thirty-two forts, nine on the north side of the Danube, and twenty-three on the south side. The city is well built, and has three suburbs, larger than the city proper. The river is here crossed by a wooden bridge two hundred and eighty yards in length. The city contains several fine churches, a bank, theater, custom house, and an old castle. (See views of Linz.) TYROL, A division of Austria, occupies the south-western portion of that province. It is for the most part a mountainous region, being crossed by three ranges of the Alps, the center range dividing it into two parts. The summits of many of these mountains are covered with perpetual snow, and glaciers to the number of eighty, covering an area of one hundred and seventy square miles, descend into the valleys. The scenery of Tyrol is second only to Switzerland. The principal rivers are the Danube, Po, and Rhine. These rivers are fed by numerous streams and torrents from the glaciers and regions of perpetual snow. Brenaver, one of the culminating points of the mountains of Tyrol, has an elevation of six thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight feet above the sea. The road between Insprick and Brexen crosses this mountain at an elevation of four thousand six hundred and fifty feet. (See views among the mountains of Tyrol.) SALTZBURG, A city of Tyrol, has a picturesque site at the base of two precipitous hights. The scenery around this city is scarcely surpassed by the finest and most romantic parts of Switzerland. The greater part of the town is built on the left bank of the Salza. In this part of the city is a lofty hight, crowned by a magnificent ancient castle. The principal squares are Resideng and the Damplatz. Between these is an Italian Cathedral, adjoining to which is the Archbishop's palace. In the same vicinity is the collegiate church of St. Peter, and a cemetery distinguished for its remarkable ancient tombs. The castle has |