71 
DALMATIA AND MONTENEGRO. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern). 
By Mr. SAMUEL WELLS, F.R.G.S. 
November Ylth, 1908. 
The Countries of Dalmatia and Montenegro, situated on 
the east coast of the Adriatic Sea have hitherto been little 
travelled by tourists. They are, however, well worth a 
visit. Their northern towns and inhabitants have had a 
considerable influence over the history of the other countries 
of Europe as they kept the Moslem back for centuries. Their 
churches are especially interesting ; they have been inti- 
mately connected with the history of the Christian religion 
and contain large numbers of valuable relics. Dalmatia, 
it may be said, is the only place in the world where the Romish 
Mass is not said in Latin. 
The journey to Dalmatia affords an opportunity of passing 
glances at Venice, Trieste and other most interesting old 
cities. The pleasure of a sea journey down the coast depends 
to a great extent on the prevailing winds. They have three 
all with peculiarities, the bora blows everything into the sea, 
the sirocco blows it back and the contraste blows both ways 
together. When in full force these winds are very destructive, 
will carry away whole buildings and have been known 
to blow over trains. 
The people in Montenegro are particularly warlike but to 
visitors peaceful and hospitable, and accommodation for 
travellers is improving 
The folk-lore of the country is full of interest. It resembles 
astonishingly that of our country, particularly in Yorkshire. 
Among many similar, it is a belief that to pass a child through 
a hole in a tree is sufficient to cure it of many diseases ; that 
to give a child a ride on a bear would cure it of whooping 
cough, and that, failing a bear, a donkey would do ; the child 
must ride facing the tail. These and many other superstitions 
are common to both our country and theirs. The Dalmatians 
still believe in the connection of evil spirits with diseases and 
