202 REPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 
districts, but every year sees the end of some of them. The people 
are gradually becoming too much spoilt by contact with the outer 
world to take pleasure any longer in amusements which sutfliced 
for a simple age. 
Those who purpose visiting the Black Forest should do so in the 
height of summer, not only because the temperature and weather 
are then more suitable, but also because the character of the 
higher country is then seen to the best advantage. The highest 
mountains freed from snow are easily ascended, and the sight of 
the distant Alps gradually lighted up by the rising sun forms a 
sight which must be seen to be appreciated, and which will never 
fade from the memory. 
The Feldberg, the Belchen, and the Erykasten may be considered 
types of the high Black Forest hills, and are respectively 4,890 
feet, 5,685 feet, and 4,635 fect above the level of the sea. The 
almost the whole of the Black Forest mountain group. Through 
this lofty group almost all the chief passes of the forest make their 
summits. 
Of these the most celebrated is the Hoéllenthal, through which 
the unfortunate Marie Antoinette passed, on her way to marry the 
French King Louis XVI, and through which also, subsequently, 
Moreau conducted his celebrated retreat, in 1796, without any 
loss. Its height is 2,980 feet above the sea level. The highest pass 
in the Forest is over the Belchen, at a height of 3,640 feet. 
In this high and wild country lie also embedded several lakes, 
but none of any great extent. The chief are the Feldsee, on the 
east side of the Feldherg, the Titisee, the Schluchsee (a lovely little 
lake surrounded by fine forests), and the Nonnenmat Weier See, 
in which is a floating island. In the northern district 1s the 
; never of 
feet, and are mostly full of fish. Much, however, of the charm Of © 
the Black Forest lies in its valleys. In many of them, especially 
in the higher regions, tower over each other masses of granite, 
_ gheiss, porphyry and other rocks, shooting up sometimes abruptly 
many hundred feet, or filling the valley with a troubled sea 0 
rocks ; through this a mountain torrent forcing its way, here hidden 
er some overgrowing crag, there falling from one terrace oy 
another, and leaving frequently no room even for a foot-traveller 
to force his way between the walls of rock and itself. 
- 
