The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-02

with an arena 234 feet long, we ap.
preciated the truth of the assertion
which claims this as the Oldest city of
Germany.
Part Of the so-called Roman baths,
and the remains of a palace In which
large hot and cold baths formed a
prominent part. are said to have been
also constructed In the first century,
while other portions date back to the
fifth. The apertures leading the wa
ter to the baths are still quite distinct.
The main water conduit, connected
also with the amphitheatre, discharged
the refuse waters from the baths
into the Moselle. As the swimming
bath is quite large, the amount of wa
ter must have been considerable; the
long underground passages indicate
the course. Many broken columns
can yet be examined, some shafts are
Of syenite, others huted and of mar
BILE, while some capitals are Of sand
stone. Many other Roman antlqul-
ties and inscriptions are preserved IN
the tower, among others an old mill,
a primitive pillow and the like.
CATHEDRAL, BAsILICA, PALACE OF
THE ELECTORS, AND PoRTA NIGRA.
The Cathedral, built in Roman
esque style. is claimed to have been
erected for Pagan worship; but A. d.
| 314 it was remodeled by Helena,
and on her return from Palestine In
328, consecrated as a Christian
Church. Parts were repaired in the
18th and 18th centuries. The font
was presented by Constantine the
Great. The corridors leading to the
cloisters are sustained on 115 col
umns. The town of Treves with ad-
joining diocese) has now its 259th
Bishop, the present incumbent being
the only one ever born IN the place.
The large organ has 1913 stops, but we
had no opportunity to hear its fine
tones These details were given by
the old Sacristsn of the Cathedral,
who seemed we'll versed in its early
history.
Our next visit was to the Basilica,
now used as Protestant Church, the
walls of which are 100 feet high and
220 feet long. One of them is the
original WALL the others are made
exactly to initiate il, having the same
kind of Strengthening buttresses run
ming from foundation to roof. This
latter has a space of sixty-fve feet IN
the interior, thus leaving large un-
oDstrueted area, except near the al
tar, where there are four beautiful
alabaster columns, presented by the
Pasha of Egypt. Constantine the
Great and his mother Helena are rep.
resented above the high altar.
The ancient Palace of the Electors
now occupied as barracks, presents
some elaborate architecture. and is
also we'll worthy of a visit; but the
most complete relic of antiquity is
the Forta kigra, which for centuries
had been partially covered with detri-
tai accumulations, but this is now so
removed that the street passes
through the centre arch. Although
being olamped by bars of iron, it is
ascend, as we did, to the top. Part
of the upper stories, over the gate,
are said to be more modern, having
been formed into monkish cells or
apartments.
On the way from Mettlach to
Treves, we passed the town of CONF,
add saw the Palace which purports to
have been the residence of Constan
tine; and, near by, is a bridge, the
foundations of which are still the or
iginal Of that period.
Fearing to weary your readers with
too many details at once, will close
this communication, designing to
give in the next some account Of the
scenery and products on the banks Of
the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. then
furnish a briet description of Wies-
baden and its gambling saloons, also
some details regarding the fine labor
atory in the same city, of the oele-
brated chemist, DR.. Fresenius, etc.
Yours, truly,
RICHARD OWEN.