Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-07-09
The Rhine Country.

press train left Victoria station, London,
for Folkestone where we were to take
the steamer iceland and cross the Eng.
lish channel to Flushing, Holland. After
we were on our steamer, the night grew
more and foggy, the fog horn blowing
every few minutes passengers had little
chance of sleeping. Arriving in Flush
ing two hours late, every one fastened
to get aboard the express train which
was to convey US to Cologne, Germany.
In passing through Holland we saw many
new and strange things. At Gosh Gus
tom officers examined our baggage and
gave US the pass mark.
From our car windows we noticed that
Holland was very fertile country, the
crops of wheat, oats and potatoes were
looking fine. Here we saw many fine
herds of cattle grazing in fertile meadows.
We saw again the windmills. They were
large wooden structures used for many
purposes-grinding grain, saving wood
and most of all, pumping water out OF
the low lands. We saw men and women
wearing wooden shoes. Dogs hitched to
carts drawing loads of milk, the owner
peddling from house to house.
When Cologne was reached we were
glad to alight and see something of the
city. Here as III many of the other Ger
man cities we noticed the railroad con-
trolled by the Government is making very
extensive repairs so as to better handle
the enormous traffic. We were first at
tracted by the large Cathedral or Dome,
which is the grandest Gothic structure in
all Europe. This great building was COM
menced in 1870 and has cost ten million
dollars. 1t is 440 feet long, 240 feet wide,
it's spires are 515 feet high, the bell
weighs q tons, and the height of the
principal door is Sc feet. The interior of
this structure is most magnificent.
ST. Ursula church is also very beauti-
full and interesting and dates from the
eleventh century. 1t is claimed that st.
Ursula, pious lady, in the twelfth CEN
fury led party of 1000 virgin by way
of Cologne and Basal to Rome for bap-
tism. On their way home they fell into
the hands of the Huns at Cologne who
slew them. They are buried here and
this church claims to be keeping the
bones and skulls of many of the unfortu-
nate virgins. In Cologne we saw again
the Rhine river, perhaps the most famous
river of the world for its romantic beau
ty. Now we have good opportunity of
seeing the Rhine country, so leaving the
city of Cologne behind we start up the
Rhine.
Our first stop was at Boun, having
population of 10000. 1t is very famous
university town and many students with
caps and cover are seen on the streets.
Many music lovers visit this place for it
is the birth place of Ludwig Won Bee
thoven, who was born in an old garnet
in ITO. The scenery grows more en-
chanting as we approach konigswinter,
above which rises the Dracherefels with
it's ruin. We pass many ruins of ancient
castles, gaze upon villages and vineyards,
see remains of ramparts and imposing
churches, reminders of events which
have taken place on the Rhine since the
days when Caesar first bridged the river
near Neuwied and floated colonies along
it's banks.
Arriving at beautiful Coblentz, for
few cities can rival it in beauty and sit
uation, we break our journey and take
numerous rambles both along the Moselle
and Rhine. At the junction of these two
rivers we saw the German Corner on
which stands the large and magnificent
monument to Emperor William | given
by the Rhine people in 1897. The eques-
trian statue is of copper and is more than
as feet high. On the base are these
words in German: "The Empire will
never be destroyed if you are united and
loyal" This memorial is one of the
finest personal monuments in all the
world.
These people thought much of their
empress also. for in one of our walks
along the river we saw beautiful white
marble monument to Empress Augusta,
the beloved wife of William |. Seated
in chair, she has the look and express
ion of lady of rank. One day we cross
ed the pontoon bridge to the fortress
Ehrenbrutstein opposite Coblentz. This
fortress is situated on high rock 387
feet above the river. 1t was built in
1872. 1t witnessed many bloody scenes
during the thirty years war. In 1893
the French captured it and blew up the
works. Later the Germans built much
about it and today it is mighty fortress.
1t was interesting to watch the steam
boats and other crafts pass up and down
the stream. The country along the river
has an important wine trade and much
of the sparkling wine is exported to
other countries. Taking our steamer one
day at noon we journeyed further up
the stream. Who can describe the beau
ty of the scenery? We felt as never be-
fore the spirit of the past, and the hand
of history. Every mountain had its ruin
and legend Recollections of charming
ladies and strong knights who gave a
lasting beauty to the world, came back
upon our minds with great force. Leav
ing our steamer at Assmanhsasen which
lies at the foot of NiedWald we found a
hotel and after some inquiry started on
well-kept path to the large National
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