The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-09-28
From the .Aerc. FORK Mirror.

( lishedi In London. entitled, Mr.
4 BLouNr's MASuscRIpTs,' by Ill,
author of Gilbert Earle. Tn,
! scene is on the Lurley, a rock oi
the Kbine. situate above ST Gour
aud has long been marked az III,
theatre Of the most popular le-
gends ofthe surrounding country
THE NYMPH OF THE WATERS.
In days of yorc, there WAS ocra
sionally to be seen. upon the Hurley
at sunset, IN the twilight. and by
moonlight. n maiden singing. Her
beauty MAS Of the most graceful and
voluplnous kind, and her voice was
the sweetest sound which had ever
tloated over the waters of the Rhine.
Perhaps, both the scene and the
hour entered for something into the
extreme effects produced by her
song. The Luriey is situated in the
most beautiful part of the most beau
titui ol rivers. The rocks close in
upon the stream, and ovcrhang il
on each side, and hence render it
more rapid aud tumnltnous. The
hour when she appeared was always
in the calm oi the summer evening,
or the still deeper calm of the sum
mer night. when the moon sheds her
radiance of beauty aud NJ peace up
on the gliding liver, aud makes lis
waves appear as though they were
formed of living light. Al sur b
times az those, the maid would be
seen upon the rock, her long & ldcn
hair floating upon the evening
breeze, or Enthusiastically braided aud
twlned with river flowers. And.
then, she would breathe forth sounds
of such exquisite melody-of such
unmatched sweetness, and soitness,
and strength, that the boatmen.
who were descending the Rhine.
would become so enthralled in de
light as totally to forget their boat
l-themsel' es--every thing but the
music, which thus engrossed and
charmed them. Hence woald their
boats, floating with the stream. no
longer guided by their oar. become
entangled among the currents and
eddles which abound about this spot,
and be dashed to pieces against the
rocks.
At length, so many lives were
lost, through the irresistible tascina-
ton Of this syren's song, that the
people in the country round began,
in the simple creed of those early
times, to think that she was cndued
With magical power; aud that shees-
,crted II 10 the destruction OF the hn-
man race. From time to time,
however, she VAS known to do kind
ness To the boatman on the Rhine.
She would sometimes direct THE
Dung Fishermen, VIII irequented
the spot, where tn cast their nest :,
and when they followed her dilcc
ton, they we're certain to make an
immense draught' These fishers,
who We're the only persons who had
lever seen the uympn closely, talked
| in raptures Of ncr beauty, OF her
sweet voice, nf her kind manner,
of the real benefits which she confer
ed upon them. Thus it happened
that. what with bIame. aud what
with praise, the Nynph of the Lur-
ley become the chief subject ol"hi |
all persons spoke for many league
around.
f AT length her fame reached tin
court OF the Count Palaiine, ant
shortly was the sole topic 1T discus
sion throughout its precincts. IL
bower, I'd in hall, by knight. ant
by lady, by baron and by squire. the
Nymph of the Lurlcy was equal,
the subject OF discourse. 1t was OBJ
served, howeser. that the matte
was more iavofite with the male thai
" 18th the female Cuurtlcrs. On
, young knight repeated what hat
. been told 10 him Co corning he
beauty another related the mag'
:, cal effects Of her voice. The ladie
: on the other hand, affected TO d;ou =
Iie,c the more prominent points n
= these stories. and threw un them all
S as much as they could, the coldnes
of doubt, aud sneers, and utter dis
belief.
AT last, however, the son of til
J. Count took up the cause OF til
:. Nymph of the Hurley; and it
astonishing how rapidly chang
= was operated in the opinions OF t.
: ladies' of the court concerning her
1t is even said that SOME of the fore
- most among them introduced LII
fashion nj dressing their hair vii