The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-28

BICYCLING AND 1R,KpING IN EUROPE
LIFE AS 1T Is,
Written for The DEMoCRAT1
NO. H..

historic Rhine Tue natural beau
ties of the Hudson are superio. to
the natural charms of this renowned |
stream bat the ruined castles which |
smbe,hsh the vlneclsd bills, tae |
picturesque hamlets which nestle Cd
tue peaceful banks, the historic as
sociatjops connected with this cradle
Of revelation render the Rhine lar
superior TO all other riparian gems.
The comparatively mario" stream
swiftly foas between high sloplng
Mills which are covered by fruitful
VINEYARDS and beautiful by broken
one arches and dilapidated feudai
mansions. Halt-ruined decaylng
palaces, the ancient strongholds and
royal anodes of feudal lords, crown
every eminence and moJesticallI
, frown upon little hamlets situated at
! the foot of the billie, where serts ana
vassals lived as slaves. These rum
ed castles patletlcally tell OF past
? renown aud decaying glory, but this
+ decay Indicates general prosperity
aud convinces us that the equall'y
Of manhood is rapidly approaching
= realization and that the world Is
constantly growing better.
The excellent wagon road, which
K runs contiguous with the river, made
bicy cling exceedingly delightful
Leisurely We loitereA along, permit
A ting cur dominant desires and
vh,m.cal wishes to prescribe oul
=, wanderines. Railroad timecards, the
e transfer of trunks and checking o1
baggage were visionary annoyances
which were dispeled without strenu
a GUS exeruions. In obedience Il
,e divine injunctlons, provislon Tor th'
ii. morrow, lodging for the night an'
!, raiment suitable to render as re
r. spectacle if perchance we accident
g ally met old acquaintances, did no
be disturb our tranquility. Proprietor
Of little inns marvelled at our e2
travagance in eating aod housewife
were bewildered st the marvellous e
es tension and capacity OF America
"o food receptacles; but IN order not
." conyey false Impressions allow ~
''i to state that my fret square me'
after my return was novelty sui
ia' cient to create disq aietude in my il
'n ternal destructive chest. The II
Al convenience OF communication vii
lip he natives WAS counter hslaL ccd /
~ the illimltaale freedom with whlt
W. we could wsg 0ur American tongu
Il 81 and heap abuses on the aborlgin
without fear Of nolestatioa or pug
<" ,sti, ccyabats unfavorable to t
preservation of cur physio2 nomlf
a." The birthplace Of Beethoven, a nc
Wv" pst l!tie cottage elt4ated oD ~
The >st ni.t,ric sn
row street, Is the Uoao Dl>lollc 81
~ of the city OF Bonn. The uDisers!
o'' nu,ldinrs are dingy and filthy O
we structu7ee, but the Instructions
~ thls reanwaed university IS still W
thoaobt Of in educational cl1c!
Tne famous Drackenfels emlneb'
=, ;. the recipient OF tn1ny poetic stanz
is q charming ra!n overlooking I
:. . winding Rniue and valleys check
- ed by ripeued crops.
md Directly opposite Coalepz rtan
r,no Eh7enbreileteiD, the famous ml II.
.haa fortress. Nature left the positi
an, almost impreg aable ami the mary
sn14 Gus Ingenuity Of man has le1de'
ora it much stronger retreat. 1t
IN constantly gaFrlsontd by Germ
,,l> troops. Tue whole nation Is
armed camp. Germany hates 8
an, ears France, and France fears s
mates Germany. Both desire re
,.h hut fotn are actively preparing
,o, hattie and if voth,ct Is ever prec
sat4d the world will witness
.,t. oloodiest struggle recorded IL
ann.ls of war. OIe million
-- hundred Thousand men constl'
mo- G,rmaDv's s; ;andlug &'my and
hac' reserve forces, liable TO he called
Eel 20 the field at any moment,
oeally IS strong. The perfectio
this army. the best in exlsterce
attaioed and maintained by
-, strictest discipline and most cons
dr.ll lliua2lnstle. The officers
n;.h perfect s. ecimens of physical 1
hood and the neatpess and the
ness Of their dress are unsurpa
ty the most fastidious ancient {
nteed > '''>
se!s who are willing and even
ioas to sacrifice tbeir happy 81
under
Tfy "'''
ona Geruaos a-e not intentio