And paced the dizzy, fragile plank
Along the chasm’s terrific flank,
They then had scorned the paltry prank
Of dancing on a steeple.
[43] In an old account of the baths we find the following passage:—“The water of these baths is extremely clear, without taste or smell. It bears with it the most subtle spirits of sulphur, nitre, vitriol, and divers metals—amongst others, gold.”
[44] In many people they produce slight vertigo—in more, they act freely on the bowels. They were discovered in the 12th century, by two chasseurs from the neighbouring monastery, who were seeking birds’ nests in the ravine of the Tamina. For a long time they could only descend to these baths by means of ropes; but at length human ingenuity formed zig-zags along the rocks. As if every thing relating to these waters should partake of the wonderful, it may be mentioned that they begin to flow in May, when the Summer is approaching—are at their acmé when the skies are fervid and the land parched with thirst, yielding 1500 pints of water every minute—and cease entirely in September, when the rains begin to fall, and the mountain streams to pour freely along every declivity!
[45] A German writer informs us that the country people stay in these baths from Saturday night till Monday morning. “Tous les Samedis on voit accourir à Pfeffers une multitude de gens des campagne voisines, et ils restent dans le bains jusqu’au Lundi matin pour provoquer la sueur.”
[46] Dr. Engel, of Vienna.
[47] For further particulars, see the Third Edition of my “Economy of Health,” or Stream of Human Life, &c.
[48] Unfortunately I find that gambling is permitted in Aix by the Prussian government to all non-residents!