CIIAP. V.

A iron/) OF AD VICK.

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Until their paths are rendered less rough and swampy, I think theItalians must submit to see the golden harvest principally reapedin Switzerland and Savoy. At the same time, let the innkeeperslook to the commissariat. Their supplies are not unfrequentlydeficient in quantity, and, according to my experience, very oftendeplorable in quality.

I will not venture to criticise in detail the dishes which arebrought to table, since I am profoundly ignorant of their constitu-.tion. It is commonly said amongst Alpine tourists that goat fleshrepresents mutton, and mule does service for beef and chamois. Ireserve my own opinion upon this point until it has been shownwhat becomes of all the dead mules. But I may say, I hope, with-out w’ounding the susceptibilities of my acquaintances among theItalian innkeepers, that it would tend to smoothen their intercoursewith their guests if requests for solid food were less frequentlyregarded as criminal. The deprecating airs wuth which inquiriesfor really substantial food are received always remind me of aDauphine innkeeper, wdio remarked that he had heard a good manytourists travel in Switzerland. “ Yes,” I answered, “ there are agood many.” “ How many ? ” “ Well,” I said, “ I have seen a

hundred or more sit down at a table d’hote.” He lifted up hishands—“ Why,” said he, “ they would want meat every day ! ”“ Yes, that is not improbable.” “ In that case,” he replied, “ Ithink we are better without them."

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