Travel in the Bernese Oberland

IV

now out of print in the book trade, and to many they would likely now seem far too deficient, since readers have become accustomed to such excellent travel books as have appeared quite frequently since the publication of those writings. In the introduction, we have briefly named and evaluated the older literary resources for a journey in the Oberland. In the year 1814, the artist Mr. König finally provided a new and practical guide through his Journey into the Alps, which was already more comprehensive and, due to its valuable qualities at a very reasonable price, was suited to a high degree to the felt need. However, precisely through his book, it was shown in clever brevity how much remained to be described, discussed, and enjoyed if more time and expense could be granted to the task. The wish for convenient maps and some remarkable views remained completely unsatisfied; and for someone who cannot go there themselves, everything had been described much too concisely.

It is therefore to be hoped that the work appearing here is not made superfluous by any earlier one, even though it will gladly acknowledge a later and better one in its place. The