The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-04-17
Correspondence of the INDEPENDENT
GLIMPSES OF THE RHINE.
LURLEI.

What variety of feelings are
awakened in the breast when one looks
for the first time on the famous river
Rhine. Authentic history and le-
gends of ancient times seem to blend
in those vine covered ruins and mo-
nasteries, which allow full scope for
the Imagination to weave tales of chiv-
airy out of the crumbling walls. Here
the Gauls, Huns, Normans and Ro-
mans, of both ancient and modern
times, have met in fierce conflicts; and
at many points can be seen evidences
of the strongholds which early Chris
tianity held against Paganism at the
period of the decline of Rome. |
write with a feeling of delight as the
scenes of those beautiful October days
come to my mind, so fraught with
picturesque detail, which to look back
upon are resolved into one beautiful
picture. And yet nature has not done
for the Rhine what it has for our Co.
lumbia or even the Hudson. What
would it be without its castles and
ruinsl 1t is the subtle influence of
these, and the network of historical
and legendary tales which are so inter-
woven with them, that give the great
charm which will continue to delight
generations in the future as it has
those i'll the past.
After leaving Cologne the first point
of interest is Bonn, pleasanciy situated
ON the left bank, with hotels and villas
scattered along the river front. These,
with the gardens between, present a
fine appearance from the river. We
did not stop here, however, but con-
tinued on to the little town of Konigs-
winter, few miles above Bonn, which
lies at the foot of the '.Drachenfels, "
one of the "Siebengabirges," or Seven
mountains.
''The casted crag of Drachenfels
Frowns DER the wide and winding Rhine,
Whose breast of waters broadly swells
Between the banks that bare the vine,
And fields that promise corn and wine"
Byron.
Of the many tramps around kon-
igswinter, the ascent of the Drachen-
fels is most beautiful There is a
strange legend connected with this
mountain of most horrible monster,
who many years ago inhabited it; and
when about half way up we saw the
cavern which housed the dragon.
Hence the mountain derived its name:
Drachen-fels or dragons rock. The
view from the ruined castle on the
summit is exceedingly picturesque, and
the scene looked upon from under
one of the crumbling arches deserves
the pen of Irving or Hawthorne Far
below me the river flowed in its wind
ing course until it was lost among the
hills BY its side, and close to the foot
of the mountain, lay the town with its
narrow streets, tall church tower and
quaint houses. Occasionally a little
hut could be seen nesting among the
vineyards of the other mountains
Snatches of songs came up from the
peasants as they toiled homeward, and
the subdued tones of party Of tour
lists reached my ear just as few
heecy clouds which concealed the sun
floated aside, and its rage burst forth,
bathing the ruins in flood Of glorious
sunlight; then sank slowly behind the
hills, and the soft evening twilight
spread over mountain, vale and river
The songs grew fainter and fainter;
the voices were hushed, and turned
away softly, lest any sound should
break the solemn stiffness which per-
vadcd the scene.