The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-09-30
Auaerspts gatelligeater,
OUR EUROPEAN LETTER.
The Rhine.

At Blngen we meet three Wheelmen,
two English and one American, bound
for Heidelberg, and on the following
August Sd, we tarry few hours
to visit it and look the town over togeth.
er. Alto o'clock we bid adieu and jour-
ney on toward Cobleuz. Our road along
the river is very smooth and picturesque.
The hills upon either side are high and
very steep leading to the waters edge and
are covered with. luxurient grape vines.
At almost every curve in the river con-
spicuously above us loom up the crumb-
ling walls of some old castle long since
deserted but remembered in many
legend and romantic story. Yes, and if
there is. any truth in tradition, there is
hardly aspot on the banks of this river
but what has been the scene of some
strange and fanciful tale. Adventurous
knights have wooed and won the daugh-
ters of kings. Others disappointed have
challenged rival to mortal combat and
s'bit the: dust" or perhaps chose the
secluded life of a monk and dragged out
a miserable existence in monastery.
Maidene, bereaved of their atiianced, took
the veil aud became the brides Of Heaven
while others drowned their sorrow in the
peaceful river. Whether there is any
truth in these legends Of the Rhine or not
q traveller is strangely moved by them as
he journeys down this romantic stream
and views for himself these grand old
ruins that for centuries have been the
wonderland of tradition. We cannot write
concerning all the places of interest, for
the river from Bingen to Coblenz with its
many castles and villages would require
volumes 10 describe it. We arrive at
our hotel in Coblenz at an early hour in
the evening. We meander up the prom.
enade which lies along the river. 1t is
one of the attractive places of the city
and many resort here for an afternoons
recreation. After making sketch We
return to the city and plan,a visit to
Ehrenbreitstein, a strongly fortified place
originally built by the Romans. It is
opposite the city of Coblenz at the con.
fuence Of The Mosel and Rhine rivers.
It, presents "a commanding appearance
and is said to be the strongest fortress in
Germany. Z Another morning dawns and
We discover that we have strong head
wind to pull against on account of which
we abandon our contemplated trip to
Ehrenbreitstein and mount our wheels
for Cologne. We travel about Is miles
and the elements being so strongly
against us we decide to take the next
steamer for the north, so we wheel to a
boat landing and wait for dampfshiff
(steamboat). We are there but a few
before steamer pulls in and
takes us on board We spend the
remainder of the day in looking about
the city. The greatest attraction of Co.
logne is the cathedral, considered the
finest piece of gothic architecture in the
world. 1t is not quite completed, al
though it has been in course of erection
for more than 600 years. The church of
st. Ursula is,another place of peculiar
interest. twas built in the 11th century
and is dedicated to the Saint who was
murdered by the Huns, together with
eleven thousand virgins who accompani-
ed her on her pilgrimage to Rome. All
the interior of the church is decorated
with the bones of these virgins. They
are in glass cases, the skulls being adorn-
ed with tapestry, In the sacristy. the
walls are covered with curious devices
and notices composed entirely of bones,
and cupboards full ofskulls are exhibited,
some richly adorned with jewels. We
are skeptical as regards the truth of the
legend connected with this affair, SO we
will insert the substance Of it that you
may judge for yourself: In the third
century there grew up beautiful and
pious maiden, the daughter of Britain
King. Her name was Ursula, perfect
image of Virtue, and because of her.per-
sonal charms she looked not for wooers
but declined all offers, believing that she
belonged alone to Heaven. A German
prince solicited her hand in marriage for
his son. She was about to reject this
wooer also when an Angel appeared to
her in a dream and said that Heaven
required this sacrifice, for she was destin-
ed to save the immortal soul of this
heathen king by converting him to
Christianity. Thereupon she immediate.
ly consented. Accompanied by 1000
virgins, all chosen from the most bloom
ing of the daughters of her country, she
made pilgrimage to Rome as the Angel
had ordered her. Receiving the blessing
of the Pope she returned with him to
Cologne. The arrival Of the 1000
Christian virgins with their angelic ursu-
Ia and the venerable Pope at their head
made such an impression upon the Prince
md his enamored sou that both imme.
diately embraced Christianity. The cere
mony of baptism was solemnly performed
aud few days aft ,rward the wedding
was to take place, but in the meantime
The country of the happy :fianccl bride
groom was involved in war with a
neighboring hcatl en- tribe. Thousands
Of wild barharians invaded the unhappy
country, numbering, burning. and '!cv"s
tating all that came in their way They
the capitol, t",k l!:r rry.'i
family, the Pope AMI 81. U sula a".l ie'
1000 virgins prisoners and executed
Them with excruciating t"rmens. le"r'
On had taken the Virgin it had bestowed
back to itself again, but piou. posterity