Piora 



interests, the mountains and flowers will give a 

 happiness and teach them many a delightful 

 lesson which they could not see or listen to before. 

 But these formed a very small portion of the 

 company; the rest were all gentlemen and ladies, 

 each with some favourite pursuit carried out in 

 almost a serious way, yet not so serious as to 

 shut out the idea that they were all taking a well- 

 earned holiday, and having a perhaps needed rest. 

 Most were flower-lovers, perhaps all were more or 

 less ; and some had a real knowledge of plants ; 

 others were geologists and crystal-hunters ; all 

 seemed to have some steady, sensible pursuit, and 

 all seemed to be glad to contribute of their 

 knowledge to the rest. Whatever flower I brought 

 in and could not name, I had no difficulty in 

 getting its name from someone else, and I never 

 got from any the slightest idea that I was 

 troubling them with my questions. In that way 

 the place was to me an ideal place for rest and 

 recruiting ; while each went his or her own way 

 on their pursuit they were all ready to help and 

 take interest in the pursuits of others. I may 

 have been exceptionally lucky in the company 

 I met, but I am told that the company at Piora 

 always consists rather largely of scientists, who 

 find there a good field of research. 



Another point which to me is a strong recom- 

 mendation of Piora is that all the walks are 

 within easy distance of the hotel — -in fact, they 

 are for the most part close — so that it is not 

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