70

WILDBAD.

CHAPT. V.

on a similar subject, that now is uppermost in my mind. It is this: wlicn, shortly after tbe destruction of the Armada, Queen Elizabeth passed through Coventry, tbe citizens sent a deputation, iieadcd by tbe Mayor, to congratulate HerMajesty on this happy event. Tbe wortliyMayor, probably “unaccustomcd to public speaking,” adressed tbe maiden Queen in tbe following words: “Wlien tbe Spaniards attacked YourMajesty: ecod! tliey caugbt tbe wrong sovv by the ears!” upon wbich polite speecb Her Majesty quickly dismissed the deputation, telling tbeni “to mind their own business.” This, gentle reader, I am about to do myself, and at once procecd to a description of tbe Baths as tliey are at present.

Tbe rising importance” of Wildbad, and the annually increasing number of visitors, at last induced tbe Würtem- berg government, to bestow a greater sharc of attention upon this Spa, than had bitberto been done. The conse- quence was, that, upon tbe place formerly occupied by the old Royal palace, a new and magnificent building bas been erected for the accommodation of tbe bathing community. The bathing-basins now are entircly rebuilt and enlarged as well, as also increased in number; and every thing has been done in them to promote comfort and tbe recovery of lost liealth, as will be seen from tbe sequel.

Tbere exist eight batb-cbambcrs, of various dimensions, separated by pavtitions, wbich do not rise quite to tbe lieight of the roof above them. Tliey are erccted immediately over tbe several sources of bot water wbich rise out of fissures in the granite rock. This, with ifs clean sand deposits, is collected in square or oblong basins witli twcnty inclies depth of water in them, at a natural temperature varying from 26° to 29° of Reaumur in tlic different baths. In thesc tbe batlier sits, or ratlicr lies down, with tbe back of bis head to the wall, — and in each of them are a number of