The more distant groups of rocks are called those of "Rathen," but are considered as belonging to Saxon Switzerland.

The "Basteien" (Bastions) of this Switzerland, close by which we now pass, are most wonderful superpositions of lofty and fantastically shaped rocks.

Unfortunately, the steamer whirled us so rapidly on our way, that whilst we contemplated one bank, the beauteous scenes on the opposite side had already glided from our view.

In much too short a time we had passed the town of Pirna, situate at the commencement of this range of mountains.

The very ancient gate of this town towers far above all the other buildings.
Lastly we see the great castle Sonnenstein, built on a rock, and now used as an asylum for lunatics.
All the beautiful and picturesque portion of our passage is now past, and the royal villa of Pillnitz, with its many Chinese gables, looks insignificant enough, after the grand scenes of nature.