the Duke of Bavaria besieged Godesberg, where he had taken shelter, and made it the mass of ruins in which it stands at present. Between this and Bonn, is seen the Hochkruz, (high cross) erected by Walran, Archbishop of Cologne, in 1340. It is of Gothic architecture, and built of the stone of Drachenfels.

Bonn was formerly the fourth electoral residence on the Rhine. Its origin is Roman; Drusus Germanicus constructed here a camp and bridge, which Julian augmented. Tacitus mentions Bonna, and Bonnensia Castra. Saint Helena, mother of Constantine, built a fine church, which soon became surrounded by houses. Walls were added by Conrad of Hochstedten, in 1240.

It is often mentioned, in the history of the country; its churches, and Roman monuments, are proofs of its great antiquity. Beethoven established a school for music. Not far from this, is Bruhl.

Bruhl is situated in a fine country, and lies a short distance from Bonn. It numbers about 2000 inhabitants, and was the residence of Archbishop Engelbert, of Falkenbourg. The elector, Gebhard de Mansfeldt, also inhabited a palace here, and it became the retreat of Cardinal Mazarin, when he was obliged to fly from France.

The elector, Clement Augustine, laid the foundations of the splendid palace, called Augustenbourg, in 1725, which was finished by Maximilian

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Frederick. It is beautifully situated, commanding an ample view of the Rhine. The interior is furnished with much taste. An avenue of poplars leads to a hunting lodge, and the terrace of Falkenhest.

After leaving Bonn, the stream bore us swiftly forward. To the right lay Beuel, and Schwarzrheendorf, a convent of noble ladies. A little further on, is Vilich, another convent, at present untenanted. This last was founded in 983, by Gerbirg, wife of the Count of Gueldres, daughter of Geoffrey, Count of Ardennes. The Sieg falls here, into the Rhine; on the banks, are the walls of the Abbey of Siegbourg, in which the Prussian government have established a lunatic asylum.

The mountains have disappeared, and a dead level country, is that through which the Rhine here flows. Ziendorf is a place of some commerce. We next see the towers and roofs of Cologne, darkly defined against the horizon, which become more distinct as we draw nigh.

Thou

Fair Rhine, I am about to leave thee! curlest thy foamy waves around my bark, and the tear-like spray falleth in silver showers on the watery waste. "Tis well! bright river! we have together run our course; and dearest friends must sometime part. I have found pleasure in surveying thy verdant gardens, producing the joybringing wine; and mourned with thee, over thy

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chiefless ruins. The morning sun hath brightened thee, as I gazed; and the moon at eve, beheld me still at my watching. I have marked the winds curl thy waters, or rouse them in wrath; and again, when all ceased, they became quiet, and smooth as a glassy mirror. 'Mid the Alpine

hills, have I looked on thy stream, and from imperial cities, have I seen thy foaming waters. And, though I leave thy enchanting banks, for the present, I shall ever return with gladness, and linger on thy shores with delight. Fare thee well! Father Rhine!

CHAPTER XXX.

LOW COUNTRIES-BELGIUM.

Cologne-Historical notice-Cathedral — Religious buildings-Aix la Chapelle-Palace of Charlemagne-Church of Notre Dame-Travelling companions-Flemish landscapes-Liege-Belgian Cavalry-Brief account of the city-Old palace-Hotel de Ville-Louvain-Arrive in Brussels.

COLOGNE.

HAVING bade adieu to the romantic Rhine in my last chapter, I now turn from the works of nature to those of art, and enter Cologne.

"Rome!" exclaims Bulwer, "magnificent Rome! wherever the pilgrim wends his way, traces of thy dominion greet his eyes. Amid the haunted regions of the Rhine, we pause, in wonder, at the giant monuments of the Roman yoke."

Cologne, Colonia Agrippina, was anciently the capital of the Ubii, and became an extensive Roman colony. Vitellius was here proclaimed Emperor, and the armed legions of Trajan encamped

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in this city. He was lieutenant when summoned to the throne. Sylvain was also proclaimed, and afterwards murdered here.

This city was protected by walls under the Ubii, which were much extended when the Romans took possession. Their line occupied the space from the tower of Bayen to the gate of the Franks, and formed the eastern boundary on that side of the Rhine. Near this gate is a tower, erected by the Franks, adorned with figures in bas relief. In the old wall is the Pfaffenpforte, which was the Roman porta flaminia. It has this inscription:-" C. C. A. A. Colonia, Claudia, Agrippina. Augusta."

Cologne was the capital of the Low Rhine, under the Frankish dynasty. The Burghof is supposed to be on the site of the palace, where the emperors and kings resided. Many statues, pillars, and inscriptions were removed to Ingelheim, to ornament the palace of Charlemagne ; and others to Aix la Chapelle. The Huns destroyed the remainder. There is yet shown traces of a subterranean aqueduct from this city to Treves.

Pepin, son of Charles Martel, was Duke of Cologne before his accession to the throne: Saint Materne, the first bishop. About the year 900, it was sacked by the Normans; and, in the tenth century, united to the empire by Otho the Great. Cologne formed one of the principal Hanse towns, containing, at the period, a number of troops