The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-12-23
Miseel1anenms.
LETTERS FROM GERMANY.
The River Rhine and its Sights.

ST. JOHANN, on the river Saar, Prussia,
Nov. 10Th, 1870.
On the left bank we have Bingen, which
the dying soldier of Mrs Norton's poem
had quite weakness" for. 1t is situated
at the influx of the Maize into the Rhine.
the western frontier of the Hesse- Darn
stadt country, at the foot of the Rochus
Mountain, where one sees the ruins of the
ancient fortified castle Klopp, in which
Henry Nv. was imprisoned in 11O5. 1t has
5,612 inhabitants. Upon the summit of
the mount stands the chapel of Rochus,
a structure known to the Romans
Next in order comes Assmanshausep, on
the right bank, celebrated for its red
wine. 1t has 600 inhabitants. New
Rheinstcin, left bank, is residence of
Prince Frederick of Prussia It's Castle is
mentioned in the year 1879. Pince Freder-
lex of Prussia had itrebuilt, in the wear 1899.
employing at the same time the remaining
ruins. Castle Sonneck, on the left bank.
built in 1915 by the Archbishop Willigis
OF Mentz, destroyed by the Emperor Ru-
dolph, rebuilt in the fourteenth century, is
now the property OF the King of Prussia and
his brothers. Lorch, on the right bank, is
market town of considerable Importance.
The surrounding neigborhood is rich in
legends and fine wines Somewhat farther
on is Bacharach, on the left bank, with
some remarkable ruins and fine church.
In the river, opposite this place, is located
the "Altar of Bacchus," large stone, only
visible in certain seasons. I was told
that its appearance was the forerunner of
good vintage, which, it is said, is apt to
be true. The cause of its appearance is
low water, the effect of want ofrain and
a rather dry season is apt to be favorable
for grapes. Bacharach has 1880 inhabi-
tants. Upon the rocky mount are standing
the ruins OF the castle Stahleck, built in
the year 1856. The Wener's Church was
built in the year 1923, and is now ruin
Within the open space of the church is a
battle-ground.
Loretoe, very powerful and high rocky
mount, 420 feet high, is we'll known on ac-
count Oh Its legend. Caub, town on the
right bank, has 1900 inhabitants I no.
ticed here the castle of Pfalz, built on a
rock in the middle of the river, still we'll
preserved; and it is here, according to ira
dition, the Palatine Countesses had to be
confined to await their (childbeD delivery.
Behind the town, is the castle Gutenfels,
which in the year 117S, with the little
town, was sold by the Lords of Falken-
stein to the Palatinate. In the year 1880
the castle had still garrison of 100 Pala-
tine lnvalids. 1t was delivered in 1904 to
Nassau, and was destroyed in the year
1903 by the command of Napoleon; and
then sold at public sale in its ruined
condition. The actual possessor is the
Archivasius Habel at Schierstein.
Further on upon the left bank are seen
the ruins of Schonberg Castle, once the
birthplace of a powerful and famous fam.
lily. 1t was destroyed by the French in
1859. In the year 1918 the family expired.
The castle and the estate belong to Prince
Albert of Prussia. In this castle, if tradi-
ton tell the truth, dwelt seven beautiful,
rich, amiable, and accomplished (let the
reader supply other adjectives to suit him
self sisters-daughter of good natured
old Count, who wasn't at all anxious to
get his daughters married off, but allowed
them to "receive company" and use their
own judgment in making selection. OF
course, young ladies such as they were,
having such a nice home, and being allow
ed to do pretty much as the saw fit in it,
were not without plenty of gentlemen
friends, who would often drop around of an
evening and spend few hours, drink the
old genteman's wine, smoke his segars,
and have good time generally. Getting
used to this sort of life, these young gen.
tlemen naturally enough concluded it would
be pleasant always to live in SO agreeable a
place, and thought of proposing to the
maidens; but SC equally had these seven
fair creatures dispensed their sweet smiles,
that none of the many could boast any
particular favor received. Every one OF
them did his "level best" to make an i'm
preston, and it is stated that considerable