The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-11-26

From being the most fourishing city OF Northern
Europe, Cologne has become dirty and gloomy the
arbitrary zeal of fanatcal intolerance drove from the
city its most useful Inhabitants aud although there
are some signs of us returning prosperity, yet it is
but wreck of its former greatness when the city
alone could furnish 10000 fighting men, and there
were as many steepes there days in the year.
As long as have to smell, shall rscoec, the
city where Eau de Cologne is manufactured. 1t is a
pity the article should be exported when there is 30
much more need of il at home.
The river Rhine about the size of the Connecti
cut and is looked upon by the Germans with feeling
almost of veneration 1t ia, to be sure, associated
with momentous events; it could tell of countless
battles lost and won of bloody conquest and over
whelmng defeat of coronations, negotiations, and
Perilous intrgues of Roman colonies and ecclesias-
teal tribunals; of castles aud ruins
-' within whose walls.
Power dwet amidst her passions in proud state
Each robbei chief upheld his armed halls,
Doing his evil will, nor less elate
Than mightier heroes of a later date.
What want these outlaws conquerors should have I?
But historys purchased page to call them great 2"
Who ruled and those obeyed, alike have gone down
10 dust and darkness, the warriors shields
sumed by rust, their banners wasted into nothing
ness; the spots. where the keen scythe Of con-
isct moved down its countless victims, until
slaughter was drunk with maddenng gore,
are now green and stainless the heroes OF
| hundred battles sleep in forgotten graves; even
their unrecorded names have passed from the mem.
DRY of man. And this is the end of human glory
green grave and forgetfulness.
Until the traveller reaches Bonn he sees little
upon the Rhine to equal his expectations; the
| try Is fat, dull, and uninteresting. The ceebra.
ted musical composer born here, and q
monument is erected to his memory. At the uni
versity, which has become somewhat celebrated,
Prince Albert was educated. Here you begin to
have good view of the Seven Mountains among
the highest and Oldest upon the whole river They
are entirely of volcanic origin, and the highest is
l45O feet nearly all the crags and peaks are sur
mounted with some ruin, either of tower, chapel
or cell.
Coblenz, the buwark Of Germany on the French
side, is strongly fortified, and is stirring and pros
porous town. The population including the soldiers,
is between twenty and thirty thousand The castle
of Ehrenbreitstein is wonder in its way it mounts
400 pieces of cannon, is capable of holding garri
son of $4,000 men; its magazines capacous
enough to contain provisions for that number for
five years; the platform the top of the rock,
covers arched cisterns, which will hold enough
for three years supply. This fortress cost upwards
of five millions of dollars-it would cost much
greater sum, or rather sit would cost than it
would come to-" for enemy to attempt to take
it by force. This is altogether beautiful town;
one of its churches is upwards Of thousand years
old.
After leaving Coblenz, the scenery upon The Dor
ders of the river becomes more wild and romantic.
You constantly passing the frozen peaks and dark
shadows of the mountains, surmounted with the cram-
bling ruins of some ancient castle The castle of
harrisburg, situated near Branbach, upon high and
nearly concal rock is we'll worthy Of visit. 1t is
in good state of preservation, and will give the Wis
tier An excellent idea of what strong hold Wal in
the middle ages All its mysterious avenues, wind
ing stairs deep vaults, hewn Of the living rock
readily shown to strangers.
BopPart walled town Of great antiquity, has two
interesting churches, and several very narrow and
very dirty lanes. little higher up are the crum-
bling ruins Of two "robbers' nests as the Ger
mans call them-the castles of Stenberg and Lieb-
enstein-or the Brothers then the Mouse and the
Cat-the Mouse being the larger castle of TIE two;
also the fortress of Rheinfels the most interesting
and extensive ruin upon the river. The scenery
here nearer to that below West Point, upon
the Hudson, than any have witnessed abroad The
mountains are bold and preciptous, and the water
clear and CLASSY. The captain here fired small
cannon two three times, that might hear the
reverberations among the craggy cliffs. F.