The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-12-19
Sketches of Travel.
LETTER NUMBER XIV.

1t is not surprising that the Germans have s77ner
stitioa reverence for this grand old river for on
its picturesque banks there is blending Of beau-
ties and relics not to be found on any other river
in Europe. cannot but feel an interest il The
ruins Of the ancient castles, which crown nearly
every h:l. They gro tottcring monuments OF .;
defunct feudal aristocracy OF the middle ages
With each castle is legend. They were the
abodes Of many daring chiefs, but their memories
have perished with them. One feels as he travels
through this old country, the spirit OF the past
and its strong recollectons come back upon the
mind with irresistible power.
Bingcn was favorite retreat of the famous
Charlenagne. He built near here magnificent
palace, ornamerted with one hundred marble col
umns. Only few pillars remain to mark the spot
o. s5;s once grapd edle9 Or guide pointed out
thousand years ago. and queens were scarcely
as grand MS m;lkmaids now-a-days. On an island
said Bishop Hutto was eaten by the rats for his
msdeeds That army Of shar -toothed quadru-
peds might find active employment in some other
countries that have read of.
The Ri is distinguished for it's beauty of
scenery and for the rich fields, valleys and vine
yards which line it's banks. Populous cities, towns
nishes 200 miles of navigation from Basle, in
Switzerland to the sea, thus enabling the inhabi-
ducts at small expense for transportation Was
much interested in the immense floating islands Of
sras they, dritted slowly down the Rhine.
These huge RATS are made up Of logs as they are
hurled down the steep mountains one at time
Until enouGh are collected to make the foundation
bRf nf eight rude cot
colony Of pigs COWS, sheep and poultry, thore are
often MS many 400 persons acting in tie capacity
Of, Of rowers plots, cooks, worlnen, etc This mot
quite at home in the immense floating ark. The
LIVELY and enchanting music, which is as essentia
to the German as his pipe, is to be heard early
no1o cd
ten. rom which he can command a view Of the
rat from end end to end ana directs its
OF Rhine raft when you learn they are months in
constructing it, and consume, from its commence
potatoes, 40, ,oco pounds Of butter and cheese as.
600 0pounds meat 500 tons beer, besides wine vege-
tables a etc good sized raft sells in Holland for
gen to Holland is twenty Gays.
AS q commercial channel the Rhine is one of the
most important rivers on the Continent The
travel up and down the river from Mayence to CO.
iogne ls immense. AS 3 swift railway is on each
bank Of this noble river, the travel by steamers is
Is Re oo1 r the deGk 9 steaer
logne The Scenery vared The e y3e nc
terraced hills often bordering the very waters
edge. The great beauties Of tie Rhine after iesy
ing Switzerland lie between Mayence and Bonn.
But here is old Cologne, which is one Of the finest
drals, museums and palaces and is rich in historic
associations. In the 18th century Cologne was
VIZ VIA 9 tRs 6s oRso9s cities in
only in the possession of 800 church steeples but
q c, common science and the fine arts.
In1s interesting and antique city was first settled
by the Romans under Marcus Agruppa Agoppina.
~other ~ Of the Ight,hearted and lghf-headed
Nero, who addled while Romc was burning, was
born here: The ancient walls which surround .
portion Of the town, with their Immense towers
and broad gates, are fine specimens Of the fortii-
cations Ct the middle ages, but with the modern
the old city became tie theatre Of Of reIiaions lei
persecution. $4,000 Jews were Isssesss; s
ssssssse fesassa sSpatriation Of the protes s
tants., Thousands Of the best houses became
elected. The proud city that at one time could
send forth $4,000 fighting. men, was reduced,
by religious intolerance to less than that number
revolution the city has greatly advanced n wealth
and population. Cologne has now 125, GOO inhabi-
tsnts and carries on On ,arge trade Under tho
former dirty and gloomy appearance. Many of
the streets and houses would do credit to Berlin
It's Its fne water va communications are Of great advar-
tage. The city is now the centre Of railways
running to Berlin Frankfort, Antwerp and Paris.
Near the splendid new iron bridgeover the Rhine
through this stupendous gothic building, which
was intended by the ambitious architect to be the
largest and most magnificent church on the globe
eeelipsing even the great Saint Peters at Rome
Many million Of dollars have been expended on it,
since it's foundations were laid the busy mechanics
80 6o WA 1Lo AuSo uAAouStOuS, ana IL
will require another generation to complete the
building. The old iron crane, which has been
standing for several centuries on the unfinished
tower has recently been put in motion By the
King Of Prussia. That ambitious monarch nav
hasten the work to its fnal completion.
The body Of this magnificent structure is in the
shape OF Cross. There are four broad aisles with
rows Of pillars, each row having more than hun
cred gre columns Of which the centre ones are thirty
sights in the Cathedral is the shrine of the three
Klngs, who came from the East to Bethlehem to
see and bring presents to the infant Saviour.
Their bones were brought from Milan in Ito and
deposited in case Of silver, and placed in q small
marble chapel behind the high altar. The skulls
o1 tne Kings were crowned with golden diade1ns,
M :lehed with jewels and precious stones. During
me french revolution Cologne fell into the hands
9i me 1aeobins. They did not have respect for
49hrlre disappeared. The treasures in the silver
p91 are said to be worth several million Of dollars
nave an idea there is more paste than diamonds
On these crown heads. Amongst the other objects
OF interest Is the silver coffin Of Saint Enpebert
Ine protector Of the Cathedral. There are other
me monuments, numerous painted windows and
curious tapestry. For .1tyy cents you can see The
oone9 OF o. Saint Mathew! presume for an add.
ona n1ty cents, the bones of each Of the apostles
cross on which our Saviour was crucified.
fort1ons OF many Of the finest churches iu
Europe are converted into museums AS ma1y
rloe9lous relics are exhibited here as are to .be
! 1ound at Barnums, in New York, They however
nIang into the church many people who are not Il
cne nanlt OF frequentng such places; also z LARGO
Ievtenue. Apart from the spires, ,aintinra7 ani
sSaeuess the churches on the Continent have in
1eIesteG me very much, and there are few davg Il
h ffo%Y = 4,