FORESTRY IN HUNGARY, 43 



are excellent and very skilful workmen, wlio can turn their bands to 

 almost anything, and they receive good wages and pensions. There 

 are now sixty-three families, in each of which there are, on an 

 average, eight children ; they still speak German, and do not inter- 

 marry with other races. We visited one of their houses, and found 

 it most remarkably clean, comfortable, and well arranged. There 

 were five rooms on the ground floor, and an attic above. The 

 rooms were furnished with wardrobes, in which the clothes and 

 spare bedding, which is collected for the daughters on their mar- 

 riage, were stored ; and the clean white-washed walls were adorned 

 with a clock and pictures. We also visited a second house, which, 

 if not quite so comfortable as the first, was equally clean ; and it 

 was evident that the settlers were prosperous, happy, and contented. 

 On Sundays they put on a picturesque holiday attire, but, unfortu- 

 nately, we had no opportunity of seeing it. The priest took us 

 over the church, which is beautifully kept, and showed us the 

 original silken banner brought from Germany by the first settlers. 



We then retraced our steps to the river slide, near Brusztura, 

 and awaited the arrival of the rafts. The total length of this work 

 is 270 feet; it is 30 feet wide, and has a fall of 15 in 100 — two 

 floating tables, one in front of the other, being attached to the 

 lower extremity to receive the descending rafts. This slide is 

 dangerous, and its navigation exceptionally difiicult on account of 

 its steep slope and curved form. Soon after our arrival, the flood, 

 caused by the opening of the reservoir, commenced, and presently 

 the first raft, manned by six men, appeared. It was carefully 

 steered by means of two oars in front and one behind, so as to 

 enter the slide at the inner side of the curve ; and, dashing down 

 with frightful rapidity, was safely landed upon the floating tables, 

 and thence launched out into the natural current on the outer side 

 of the curve. It did not come in contact with the sides of the 

 slide until it reached the second table. It was a really splendid 

 sight. The men, who were drenched to the skin, had to keep their 

 wits about them, and maintain their footing on the slippery logs, 

 or tbey would certainly have been killed. They wore spiked clogs 

 strapped under their feet, as they are not allowed to attempt the 

 descent without them. 



On tbe morning of the 8th we started at 5 a.m., and drove two 

 miles down stream, where we found a raft, fitted up in the most 

 luxurious manner, awaiting us. Accompanied by the Conservator 

 and M. de Lavotta, we went on board at once, and after saying 



