The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-09-06
OUR FOREIGN LETTER.
ges-Fesshev-seds, Ae.
LrIrac, orr~Asr, August let, Is77

Lsvefe1-niagen-Fea Ae.
Lurao, osr-Asr, August let, 1874.
osr,ys.ds.os hir,or JO~,-ai,
The shades Of night we're falling fast
when our boat sped by the Lorelei, Of
whose summit the myth tells us the beau
tifdl syren sat, and by her charming mu
sic and beauty lured the unsuspiciou
sailor on the treacherous rocks. Tn
Rhine is very narrow at this place an,
runs with great rapidity, and its shallow
ness has caused the destruction Of man,
boats, which no doubt gave rise to tn,
myth that an evil spirit presides over thu
place. A wonderful echo can be hear,
when gun is discharged. I was eunpt
urcd with the Lorelei and its legends un
Ill train came darting through tun
mel under the very rock itself. OH Sci
ence, at thy approach legend become,
tame and business likel To hear tn,
putting Of the iron-horse under the Lo
relei, producing such frightful reverbera
tons. is sufficient to terrify the beautiful
maiden from her loved rock.
We next passed the magnificent sum.
mer residence Of Prince Frederick, Of
Prussia, and then as the sun disappeared,
leaving n portion Of his glory on the
clouds behind. Bingen, sweet Bingen on
the Rhine. sleeping quietly in its little
valley came into view. At this place
was entertained b . young Mr.. F., whom
| met on the boN, and who had been a
truant from home for many years. On
the wharf stood his old gray-headed
father and mother and his young sister
anxiously awaiting the arrival of their
long lost son and brother. Afier partaking
Of the hospitality so kindly offered to a
stranger, and rejoicing with those who
rejoiced. took stroll on the river bank
to drink in the beauties Of the place by
moonlight. l descended a little knoll
that commanded a view Of the Rhine
whose waters we're noe and then ruffled
by a passing boat. and The sloping hills
whose sides were covered with vines which
promises q rich fow of wine. Bingen,
the town Of song and story. and the
Nance Tower whose old decayiag port
holes permitted a few struggling moon
beams q enter.
The Msnse Tower vas nov still and
dark but in days gone by, rs now seated
ON it, little Island, its walls had resoun-
ded 10 the merry peals Of knights, and
at times felt the shock Of contending
warriors. Southey. the poet, has made
il ever famous by his beautiful account
Of the legend. Everything was so lovely,
50 unlike anything had seen before that
l did not wonder that il had been termed
Sweet Bingen." Ny memory went
back 70 the days of childhood when l
had heard 50 many little boys in sing
song way .hout,
"A soldier Of the legion lay dying in Alsier-,
There ~ss want Of vo1lA1'. sur.ing,
There vas desr,h of xomsss tears, &c"
This poem has given the American chill.
dren much trouble, and ss the birch was
suspended over their hesds TO force them
to recite it, they care very little about
the soldier. or where he died, and very
few Of them would appreciate "Biugen,
Sweet Bingen on the Rhine" Every
thing hsrmon;zed TO enhance the beauty
Of the scene before me, and il was very
late when l returned To my hotel.
A polite Frenchifed, swsllow-tailed
waiter bowed me into my room and then
bowed himself out again. All the wait
ers in Germany wear swallow-tall broad
cloth coats, part their hair in the middle,
and on Sunday sport lavender kids and
fancy canes, and some of them would
furnish Darwin the connecting link be
tween the human race and the monkey,
substantiating his theory without the
of doubt. As soon as en-
tered my room the thought struck me
that the bed looked rather bulky, and |
glanced around for other shoes
and unmentionables, but happily none
were visible. ! found upon examination
one thick feather bed covered with
another of the same dimensions. pro-
ceeded TO Gil one corner Of the room with
the uppermost one, and to ransack all the
drawers in the room in search Of neces- !
sary bed clothing but the search was
fruitless. l was in dilemma. Some
one below was whistling Come put me
in my little bed" My feelings were in |
accord with the sentiment, but to sleep
between two feather beds was ''too much |
of good thing" rang the bell vio-
ently-the servant entered with fire
sxtinguisher. l called tor blankets and
was informed that there was nothing Of
he kind in "Bingep, Sweet Bingen on
he Rhine" | adopted the prevailing
custom, but ! saw the sun rise the next
morning for the first time in many years.
The custom in Germany is to take
-FOUR breakfast in your room, even in
private families. and so no time is lost
n giving thanks. ] rang the bell and
he same connecting link" made his ap-
'earance. Bring me, said |, ki''deyfraten
md pantc6en. His eyes looked like
young moons, and his hands were raised