CASCADE DU VALENTIN

CRABE BRIDGE, IN THE EAUX CHAUDES GORGE

THE BIOUS-ARTIGUES

THE PIC DE GER

THE ROCKS OF BIARRITZ

THE VILLA EUGENIE

Mrs. Blunt’s adventure (by Miss Blunt):—­

  Scene I.—­Before the start
  scene II.—­The ancient steed grew young once more
  scene III.—­Who’s my driver?

“My paw is on my native heath, and my name is ‘Riou’” (by Miss Blunt)

“See morning’s golden rays,” &c.

“Towering above the plain”

PANORAMA OF THE CIRQUE OF THE VALLEE DU LYS

PANORAMA OF THE PIC DU MIDI DE BIGORRE

PREFACE.

It has been my endeavour in this volume to provide an illustrated gossiping Guide to the Spas of the Pyrenees.  Unlike previous books on the same region, it deals with the resorts in spring, when they are most charming.  A certain amount of detail—­which is unavoidable in all guide-books—­has been unavoidable here, and the rhymes have been introduced in the hope of lightening the reading.  These rhymes, as a rule, have a distinct bearing on the subject under discussion; but they are inserted in such a manner that the reader can omit to read them—­if he objects to such frivolities—­without losing the sense of the prose.

Very little really fresh information has been gained about these beautiful mountains since Mr. Charles Packe published his ’Guide to the Pyrenees’ in 1867:  a few more springs have been discovered, a few more mountains have been successfully ascended, and the towns have gradually increased in size.  There have been very few of those melancholy accidents that we so often hear of from Switzerland, because, probably, considerably fewer tourists attempt these mountains than attempt the Alps.  In this volume no descriptions of scaling ice-walls, searching for the lammergeiers’ nests, or any other great feats, will be found.  It contains a plain account of what may be seen and done by any party visiting the mountain resorts in spring, without much trouble or fatigue; and the narrative form has been adopted throughout.

M. Dore’s illustrations speak for themselves; and Miss Blunt’s spirited sketches are a valuable acquisition.

The Appendices have been compiled with great care; and—­at the suggestion of an experienced M.D.—­brief comments on the chief springs at the various Spas, and their healing properties, have been included in the general information.