AIX-LES-BAINS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7563, 30 May 1885, Page 5

AIX-LES-BAINS.

Aix-les-Bains, in Savoy, at which bestrtiful Continental* retreat the Queen of England has been spending a few days, may be reached within a day from Paris, though many travellers prefer to make a pleasure of travelling, and pause on their way at Dijon. Lord Lamington wrote a short time since, a poetic description of the beauties ot Aix-les-Bains, of the surrounding country, and of the picturesque Annecy. He dwells on the historical associations connected with Chambiry, which is within an attainable distance. To quote his words, “ Chamb&y is the birthplace and capital of the most ancient sovereign family in Europe. The greatness of the House cf Savoy was established not less than 800 years since, and, during the last eight centuries, through every vicissitude of fortune—such as brought it at times to the verge of ruin—it has gone on steadily, gaining power and influence, tintil Victor Amadeus became King of Sardinia in 1720; and now that the destinies of the house have culminated in the sovereignty cf Italy, the Savoy family are remarkable for two circumstances for the number cf treaties they have made, always to their advantage and aggrandisement, and also for the number of the sovereigns who hare abdicated.” Three classes of visitors are to be foun d at the Aix hotels. It is practically the starting point for the journey through the tunnel into Italy. One express from Paris arrives ac Aix at night, another at 9 a.m. The hotels are full of travellers, who arrive in the evening, and start refreshed in the morning. Then, too, Aix is fashionable— fashionable and very exclusive. There is a well-known French baroness with an Italian title who owns a beautiful villa there, and twice a year makes the place wonderfully gay and brilliant. These seasons are very short. The possibilities of the place would not stand a long siege. The gaiety is condensed. The little Etablissement is very full, the card tables are crowded, and gambling brisk and heavy. There are a few halls and concerto,' a fSte, and then the season is over. It is needless to say that this is not Her Majesty’s attraction to Aix. And then there are the- baths. Aix is a hot place. Most mineral baths have their season in July and August, when the sun is hottest, and when Parliaments have ceased to sit; but Aix is so hot that its season is early —the beginning of April to the end of September. Bathing is no joke at Aix-les-Baino. It is a. very different story to the pleasant strolling under the lindens at Homburg, while the band plays and the French and English newspapers are hawked about. It is very serious work. The doctor, appointed by the Government, certifies what force and heat of water you can stand. One.of the rooms is not inappropriately styled Bouche d'Enfer, and you go down and submit to some very rough rubbing, which leaves yon so punished that you are carried home in a kind of sedan chair, packed in blankets, and spend a good part of the day reposing in bed, till you recover your strength and attack your ddjcuner. But Her Majesty’s doctors decide that this treatment is net necessary, for their patient, and certainly if it is not necessary it is not desirable. Aix-les-Bains has very beautiful scenery. There are associations with Rousseau, Lamartine and Balzac. The little town is ugly—: dusty, the climate disagreeably warm and nraggjg