CHAPTER III. 



AUSTEIA ON THE DANUBE. 



AUSTRIA proper includes the wide Danubian vale between Bavaria 

 and Hungary and tbe foot-bills extending in tbe nortb to the 

 Bohemian Forest, and in tbe soutb to tbe limestone Alps of Salz- 

 burg and Styria. A name first bestowed upon a Bavarian 

 "marcb," or frontier district, in 99(5 bas thus become tbe designa- 

 tion of tbe vast empire governed by tbe bouse of Habsburg. Tbe nucleus of tbis 

 empire occupies a central position, and Vienna more especially is most happily 

 situated with reference to tbe other provinces. 



Tbe Danube, which waters tbe two provinces of Austria above and below tbe 

 Enns, rises from a modest spring in a retired valley of tbe Black Forest, but in 

 its course to the east it assumes proportions far exceeding those of any other 

 European river, including even tbe Volga. Having been joined by the Inn, the 

 Danube escapes from the tableland of Bavaria and enters tbe valley of Austria, 

 where its course has been regulated by costly engineering works. Passing alter- 

 nately through defiles and over plains, the river reaches the gate of the 

 Carpathians, through which it debouches npon tbe vast plains of Hungary, 

 Nearly two-thirds of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy lie within the basin of 

 the Danube. 



The plateau, from which rises the Bohemian Forest, occasionally forms cliffs 

 along the northern bank of tbe Danube. It is intersected by a few tributaries of 

 no importance. On tbe soutb, however, the Danube is reinforced by the snow- 

 fed rivers which escape from the Alps, whose spurs aiid foot-hills advance some- 

 times close to its banks. The right bank thus presents ns with a succession of 

 smiling valleys, backed by lofty mountains clothed with sombre forests or covered 

 with snow. The Danube between Linz and Vienna, though less frequented by 

 tourists than the Ehine, nevertheless rivals that river in its picturesque scenery. 

 The Danubian slopes are richer in verdure, tbe hills more varied in outline, and 

 tbe lateral valleys more numerous. Castles, turreted cities, and villages half 

 hidden in verdure add to the natural beauties of the river. Sometimes the river 

 is hemmed in between rocks, at others it spreads out over a wide valley. Below 

 Grein it flows through a narrow gorge obstructed by rocks and islets. Tbe rapids 



