Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-11-27
Correspondents Of the State Sentinel
ETTERs FROM SWITZERLAND AND GER
BADEN BADEN. SER. 25rH.. Is

MANY-No. 4.
BADEN BADEN, SEP. 18th, 1856.
Ny DEAR N:-We walked to-day round
the slopes of the Schlossberg, to the little
hamlet of Eberstein. This is poor, strag-
Cling place, noticeable only for its ruin ed
castle which, seen from distance, is one of
the most picturesque ruins around Baden.
Baden. 1t sits in the midst of the dark pine
woods, on the summit of mountain, like
hoary giant lifting his time-seared forehead
to the clouds; but one finds, on nearer APP
proach, that it is not nearly so large nor so
Interesting as the Alte Schloss, which we
visited the other day. 1t was probably a ruin
VIXEN the other castle, bearing the same
name, near Gernsbach, was built, though that
dates from the twelfth century. We ascend
ed its highest tower, walked around its grass
grown parapets, got some refreshments at an
enormous price, from stall, or restaurant,
kept in one corner of one its lordly halls, and
took up our march homeward. There is a
legend connected with this ruin, which has
been said and sung for ages, and which
forms the subject of one of tie fresco paint
ings on the facade of the new Trinkhall
here. 81
It seems that the Counts of Eberstien, in
the year 93S, were brave knights and true;
but it was reported to Ohio. who was Emper-
or of Germany in those old days, that they
were among his enemies-of whom, as the
chronicle goes, he had not few. He took
Strasburg, which had revolted, by assault,
and then led forward his victorious troops to
take the stronghold of the Counts of Ebers-
tein. But it was SO we'll fortified by nature
and by art, and SO we'll provisioned, that it
resisted three years siege, and the Emperor
was forced to relinquish the hope of compell-
ing it to surrender. Then he called together
his wise men and grave counselloIs, and 1t
was resolved. in sage debate, to effect, by
strategem, what force of arms could not ac-
complish. Accordingly the Emperor invited
all the great lords and valiant gentlemen of
the empire to a tournament at Spires, prom
ising, on his imperial word, peace and securi-
ty 10 all knights and noblemen who should
accept his invitation. He knew we'll that
the gallant lords Of Eberstein would not miss
such an opportunity Of showing their skill
and prowess, and had determined to assault
and take their castle while they were absent
AS he expected, the three Counts came to
the tournament and attended tho entertain
ment which was given at the palace on. the
night of the first day. One of them, youth
Of noble person and Of gracious manners. was
honored by the privilege Of opening the ball
with the Emporor's youngest daughter. Ex-
posed to the fascinstions Of the handsome
Count, the royal beauty did as women al
ways have done and always will do, fell in
love, and told the whole secret. II was not
long till the young Count told his brothers;
whereupon they showed themselves as fertile
in expedients as they were brave in arms.
After they had danced again, they rose in
the midst Of the princes, lords. knights and
cavaliers there assembled, aud proposed to
give hundred gold fiorins to any antagonist
who would enter the lists with them on the
next morning aud unhorse either Of them. A
number Of noblemen accepted this challenge,
and the Counts left the ball, The night
passed merrily; but the next morning. when
the Emperor and noblemen expected TO sec
them at the tournament, ready with sword
and javelin to redeem their pledge, they rode
safely through the gates Of their own castle.
The Emperor was very much enraged when
he found that the Counts had escaped him,
and he ordered all mis- troops and vassals to
surround the castle and take it by storm; but
their efforts were again fruitless, its strong
walls remained unbroken, and the banner OF
its lords still waved above its ramparts. Then
the Emperor sent three cavaliers to treat with
the rebellious Counts, and to ascertain on
what terms they would become his friends.
they received his ambassadors courteously;
entertained them with sumptuous repast,
and then showed them. immense granaries
filed with wheat aud flour, and endless GEL
lars filed with all sorts of wine; but they
would offer no terms of peace, nor accede to
those offered by the Emperor. When the
ambassadors returned to the court and re-
ported all the wealth they had seen, and de-
clared that the castle was provisioned for an
interminable siege, the Emperor resolved to
ally the Counts to his interests by stronger
tie than he had yet proposed. This was
nothing less than to give his fair daughter to
the young Count in marriage, which he did
at splendid nuptial entertainment made at
one of his palaces in Saxony; which was also
celebrated as the feast of reconciliation. The
brave Count atoned for his former rebellion
by glorious deeds and unalterable devotion
to the Emperor, who cared but little when
he learned that the corn and flour sacks shown
to his ambassadors, were filled with chopped
straw and sand, and that the enormous wine
butts contained nothing but water. '--'a
.,o - ssr-1 -'e September 26TH.
To-day we took a long walk over the lit
tie Staufen, listening to the low, sweet
laughter of its streams, and the wild, grand
music Of its lofty pines. If you have never
been in great pine forest when the autumn
winds were signing, can give you but little
idea Of its thrilling harmonies. Every tree
seems to play upon different instrum ent
Now they sing like grey-hairei minstrols in
a chieftain's hall. of steel clad knights and
ladies fair, and merry wassail in baroniaI
homes. of gallant deeds in tilt and tourna-
ment, and Painim banners won in Palestine.
Then the strain changes to solemn dirge,
that sobs and walls through the grim shad-
ows and grey glooms of the forest like the
voice of an unquiet ghost. Now it rises and