THE romantic beauties of Saxon Switzerland yearly attract thousands of travellers, and there are few excursions more agreeable. The whole is comprised within so small a space, that two or three days' absence from Dresden are now sufficient to enjoy the most striking scenes. By means of the steam-boat, we reach the summer residence of the king of Saxony, Pillnitz, in about an hour; a pleasant stroll through a small dell leads to the Porsbery, which commands an extensive view of the surrounding country. Two hours' walk then brings the traveller to the entrance of the Liebethaler Gruind, the first of those beautiful defiles which have rendered this part of Saxony so famous. The end of this valley, at the mill, is highly picturesque, and has often employed the pencil of the artist. From Lohmen we proceed through the Ottewalter Grund, in which the grand, although somewhat grotesque agglomeration of the sand stone rocks is seen to great advantage This valley emerges near the Bastei, where many single rocks rise from the deep below to a great height in the shape of pinnacles and bastions, from which last the place receives its name. The view over the Elbe, and of the mountains and singularly shaped rocks beyond, is very fine. The best time for viewing the scene is morning or evening; but the traveller should avoid (if possible) coming here on high days and holydays, when the great number of beer drinkers indulge somewhat too loudly in their German cockney mirth for the quiet observer of nature. A steep descent leads to the entrance of the Amselgrund, on emerging from which, a short walk introduces us to the singular, and at a first sight, to timid persons, somewhat alarming, although perfectly secure passage through the Hochstein rock, known by the name of Wolfsschlucht, or Wolf's Glen. The view from the Hochstein towards the little town of Hohenstein is remarkably pleasing. A little purling streamlet meanders through a small meadow, which, protected from the scorching rays of the sun by the rocks behind, and the height on which stands the town of Hohenstein, enjoys a freshness and verdant green which might vie with that of our own country. This charming little valley is called the Pohlenzgrund. From Hohenstein the path offers nothing interesting, until the traveller suddenly emerges upon the Brand, a view similar to, and vieing with the Bastei. A steep descent through the Tiefer Grund leads to the road towards Schandau, which, through the Tiefer Grund, leads to the road towards Schandau, which we can reach in about three hours. Here the first half of the tour of Saxon Switzerland may be said to close.

From Schandau we drive through the beautiful valley of the Hizmitschgrund, and

VOL. III.

after admiring, as in duty bound, the small waterfall at its extremity, allowed to froth and bubble for a few moments for the traveller's pleasure, we begin our ascent to the more mountainous parts of our trip. The first object which arrests our attention, is the singular natural arch in the rocks at the top of the mountain, which is known by the name of Kuh-stall (Cow-stall). In these rocks, according to tradition, the clergy, and sometimes the people of the adjacent country, sought a refuge from the horrors of civil war and religious persecution. A toilsome walk of two or three hours over the Kleimer Winterberg, brings us to the grosser Winterberg. On the summit of this latter, the highest point in Saxon Switzerland, an hotel has been erected, and here it is advisable to pass the night and enjoy the mountain panorama unfolded before us. A short stroll brings us to the Prebish Thor, another natural arch, in some respects still more singular than the Kuh-stall, and hence, in three hours, we enter the Bohemian village of Kienisch Kretschen, on the banks of the Elbe.

The traveller who is not stinted for time, should by no means neglect to ascend the river, at least, as far as Tetschen and Aussig, both of which places present scenes of great beauty. But see, the steam boat from Prague descends, and a short excursion down the river, brings us to the city of Königstein, above which frowns the fortress of the same name, so famed for its importance in Saxon history, and for its picturesque situation.

The fortress of Königstein is built on a broad conical mountain, close to the Elbe, leaving just room enough for the houses of the city to nestle at its base. On the other side of the Elbe, but at some distance from the river, rises the sister rock, the Lilienstein, which, with the Königstein, form such remarkable objects of view from the neighbourhood of Dresden. During the seven years' war, Frederic the Great fired at the fortress with cannon, which he had caused to be dragged up the Lilienstein, but the balls could not reach the fortress, being probably deflected by the current of air in crossing the Elbe; the fire of the besieged was more successful, and overcame the obstacle by the impetus of the projectile at its discharge. This citadel is supposed to be impregnable, as its foundations are based upon the solid rock, which is here remarkably steep, and, in some places, perpendicular. The extent of ground on which it stands is considerable, and, in case of need, the garrison could grow corn enough within its limits to support them for some months. The prospects from the walls present interesting views of parts of Saxon Switzerland. A well, many hundred feet deep, has been cut through the solid rock, and the fortress is supplied with water, independently of the Elbe, from a spring, several feet below the bed of the river, so that the garrison can never be deprived, by an enemy, of this useful element.