The Argosy — page 66: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

56 From London to Salzburg. Of the exterior, the east end is the gem, so grand, so beautiful in the light and shade caused by the numerous chapels, the flying buttresses and piers and pinnacles; all so delicately wrought that it was difficult to say which gave most delight: its fairy-like minuteness of detail, or its boldness and: grandeur of outline—unlike the rest, of the building, softened by that great beautifier as well as destroyer, Time. When the cathedral stands complete, with its triple spires of pierced work, it will indeed be one of the glories, not only of Germany, but of the whole world. A triumph of the mind of man, who, out of the rock of the wilderness has created a thing of beauty so rare and exquisite : a tribute of praise and adoration to the Maker of all beauty and all power. The journey to Coblenz at first was not particularly striking, but it soon grew very beautiful. . A nch, green plain, sprinkled with fruit-trees white [and heavy with blossom. Avenues of lindens ‘and horse-chest- nuts stretching far away in the distance; so cool and calm, that you longed to jump out and throw yourself under their shade, and dream away the hours. After passing Bonn, the plain was quitted for the left bank of the Rhine, and the scene now became more grand and wild. But the train whirled on so quickly that it afforded scarcely more than a glimpse at places with which one would like to grow familiar. High up in the air once we caught sight of an eagle, his outspread wings cutting the clear sky ; his flight majestic; now as it were reposing upon the air, and now, with a calm, dignified sweep, soaring away beyond sight. When Coblenz was reached we were not sorry that we made up our minds to take here two or three days’ rest. The view from the windows of the. Hotel du Géant was enough to lure one on to a far longer sojourn. Here you have the Rhine in one of its most beautiful and romantic spots. Before us flowed the calm, grand river, the castle and fortress of Ehrenbreitstein forming a back- ground to the view. Later we crossed the bridge of boats, and went up into the opposite heights. Darkness had come on, and the scene was enchanting. The pale beams of the moon were thrown upon the water, which caught their brightness, and carried it rippling and sparkling far down the stream. You might fancy that a mermaid had passed that way, her passage lighted up by millions of tiny lamps that burnt on to do her homage. Hundreds of nightingales filled the air with a flow of melody, sufficiently distant not to disturb the feeling of repose that crept over the spirit as it gazed in silence upon the un- earthly scene. It would have been easy to have passed the whole night there in contemplation, unbroken by thought of sleep. Later on, indeed, with windows open to the river, the songof the birds came floating across the wide stream, so distinct and incessant, yet so beautiful in softness and melody, that sleep was charmed away) OIt was ° an utterly delightful sensation : listening to the bird-music ; t to an occa DLAC LO) DO S (C(O) aa) —_)