520 Rtono/ir's Journey through Lomhardy, Sfc. 



repose rather than action ; where ahnost every one is occupied 

 in the pursuit of fortune ; and where every European considers 

 himself as only a temporary resident, anxiously looking forward 

 to the time when he can return to a distant home. Vols. III. 

 IV. and V. of this Society's Transactions have been published, 

 and we shall notice them at some future opportunity. 



Art. II. Reise durch die ostlichen Bundestaaten in die Lomhardey, 

 und zuriick iider die Schiveiz und den Oberen Rhein, in besonderer 

 Beziehung, u. s. ru. A Jonrney through the Western States of Lom- 

 bardtj, and back again by Switzerland and the Upper Rhine ; with 

 particular Reference to the Information of the People.^ Agriculture., 

 and Political Economy. By G. Fr. von Rumohr. pp. 236. Lu- 

 beck, 1838. 



The author has interspersed a good many references to books 

 throughout his narrative, which affords an opportunity, to such 

 as desire it, to enter more deeply into those subjects on which 

 he has only slightly touched. One topic he has treated histori- 

 cally, and at considerable length ; viz. irrigation as practised in 

 Lombardy. The following extract is among the most interesting 

 of those which respect gardening: — 



" Potsdam and its environs, which, at present (the winter of 1837), resemble 

 wintry deserts, are well known to me by frequent visits in summer. The 

 scenery of the extensive Royal Gardens, which are partly laid out in a grand, 

 but more frequently in an ornamental, style, is separated by fields and forests, 

 to which a very pleasing appearance could easily be given by introducing 

 variety in the cultivation. The contrast afforded by passing from ornamental, 

 and nicely kept grounds, to carelessly cultivated fields, is strikingly felt. 

 There might be hedges along the road sides, which would give to the Royal 

 Forests adjacent a less prosaic and sombre appearance. Small farms, v.'ith 

 the fields surrounded by hedges, with ornamental trees scattered here and 

 there, would give an irresistible charm to the valleys in the Royal Forests. 

 Where views are desirable, the forest might be thinned, or completely laid 

 open ; and the soil, which, on the heights, is generally very dry and sandy, 

 might be thickly planted with different species of broom, heath. Ononis 

 spinosa, and similar plants ; which would form a beautiful and durable 

 blossoming surface, and would grow here in great perfection. Where the 

 firs (Scotch pines) have been thinned in time, in the district called the Mark, 

 they grow to a wonderful size and romantic wildness ; but these very trees, 

 which the English and the Danes plant in their parks, are hardly known in 

 the neighbourhood of Berlin. We seldom value what we have, or can easily 

 procure. At Dresden, likewise, where the firs assume a pine-like appearance, 

 they are very much valued. 



" At present, the fir only adorns liigh and dr}' places ; and, on the contrary, 

 limes, elms, maples, ashes, and oaks of the greatest beauty, are found in those 

 places that lie low. Sometimes the soil requires tiiick planting : but a varied 

 culture would secure a moderate degree of moisture in the atmosphere. 

 Hedges and scattered trees on open cultivated spots, and deciduous trees mixed 

 with the firs in the woods, would evidently have a great effect in improving 

 the climate. 



The sides of the valley about Potsdam, in some places reach to the height 

 of about 300 ft. Repeated borings, made to a considerable depth, on these 



