A BURIED CITY.

two miles, to the skirts of Neuwied.

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The Moravians, by the celebrity of their educational institutions for youth of both sexes, draw children from England, and many parts of the Continent. Their establishment contains, of brethren and sisters, nearly 500 persons, pursuing divers trades and occupations. The Hernhutters are not only scrupulous about the religious education of their pupils they are practical in their instruction; and, with the knowledge of letters, train to handicrafts, and every branch of business. Many varieties of trade, therefore, are practised in their colony at Neuwied. Not far, about two miles from this town, and nearer the village of Niederbiber, is the buried Roman city of VICTORIA; whence many antiquities of the empire have been excavated, and collected in Prince Maximilian's museum. The site of the ancient town is now covered with fields of waving corn or verdant vineyards, where, fifteen hundred years ago, the citizens and soldiers of Rome set up their bronze statues, and wore their martial helmets, furbished their armoury, offered their sacrifices, indulged in costly luxuries from distant climes, and produced, in pottery and other materials, the conveniences of domestic life.

On the Rhine, at several places, a means of passage has been secured, which probably was first suggested by military tactics. As early as the times of the ancient Romans, large armies were transported across the river by temporary bridges, constructed on the principle of the warlike pontoon. One of these, denominated in guide-books a flying-bridge, is maintained at Neuwied. The epithet implies more than is intended, since it does not pass through the air as a projectile, or traverse the stream from bank to bank by any power of suspension. The flying-bridges are formed of a series of boats: the first being moored in the centre of the river, and the second attached to it by a chain ten or fifteen fathoms long; the third, fourth, and others of the series, being held by the same means in con

tinuation; till the last, a square platform, also floating, and capable of receiving carriages, horses, and passengers, forms the termination of the chain. The parties working the passage move it from pier to pier by the power of the current more than by oars or helm, but with the greatest steadiness and ease. This convenient mode of transit is rendered expedient by the width of the river, which bridges. of stone or timber could not span; and which, if erected upon buttresses and confined arches, would interrupt the traffic from distant places along the Higher and Lower Rhine.

Another arrangement which I observed appears worthy of notice, and might be imitated with beneficial results to the community in Britain and other countries. I allude to the floating-baths, which abound on the Rhine, and serve for more extensive purposes than individual comfort or profit-cleanliness and health. They seemed to be regarded as a part of the national economy. The youth of the localities resorted to them as a sort of gymnasium ; and especially the young men, who anticipated employment in the army, assembled at them for daily discipline, and were taught to swim, under the direction of men appointed by the authorities for such a purpose. There are inclosures with awnings and shades, platforms, floating beams, buckets, and ropes, to afford every facility and inducement for the healthful exercise. The rope was held by the hand, or girt around the waist, and the floating beams were moved to and fro, so that the noviciate might try his attainments, or be sustained in courageously venturing beyond his depth, and become ultimately independent, and capable of casting aside all aids; and, plunging headlong into the stream, might dash forward with the freedom and indulgence of a pastime. Swimming is practised, not as a momentary recreation, but as part of a regular training, in which hours are spent. I think that, were there more bathing among ourselves, there would be

FLOATING FLOUR-MILLS.

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more health; and were our youth more extensively taught to swim, there would be less fatality attending accidents, whether in rivers or at sea.

My attention was attracted to the operation of the river flour-mills, which are numerous on this majestic stream, and might be advantageously employed in other regions. Immediately contiguous to the bridges of boats, and in other parts, I suppose the more equable channels of the river, these floating mills are moored, and kept in daily occupation. Their tacklings were fastened to anchors and powerful chains, or attached to the floating bridges. They were worked by external paddle-wheels, not dissimilar to the paddles of a steam-boat. The constant downward current of the river acted from without with the same effect as steam from within does, in the propulsion of the sailing vessel. Thus the corn is ground by the operation of a generally equal force; which, I believe, is always preferred by the miller. I counted as many as ten, and, in some places, as many as seventeen mills of this description at one station. A smaller number, however, repeatedly occurred; and all the grain was brought in. boats to a platform in front of the mill, and was returned to the storehouse on the banks of the river with the greatest facility. I do not know why such a mechanism should not be adopted, not alone on rivers, but also where the tide flows and recedes. The rise of the tide, flowing one way, might revolve the wheel; and the tide falling, sending the current out, might work it in such a manner as almost to secure a constant power; the engine being capable of reverse action, on the same principle with the engine of a steam-boat. Even in firths, or at the embouchures of rivers, independent of wind or steam, the miller's work might continue with but short intermission. I have adverted to these mills, not because I know much of the mechanical arts, or can profess to teach practical men; but as it is possible some intelligent mechanics, from the

suggestion, may develop what will profit or improve with far more readiness and sagacity than I can display.

I do not propose here to introduce any description of the Lahn, or its miniature scenery; the Spas, or bubbling brunnens, or their society; or the minor objects. of picturesque beauty on the proximate banks of the Rhine; which all greatly interested me. On another occasion, however, I shall delight to recall their impressions. Reserving the country of the Duke of Nassau for another reference, we shall now prepare to proceed from Coblentz up the river, and pass the inviting scenes which diversify its banks on the route to Mayence, with only a brief allusion. The feudal ruin of Stolzenfels no longer appears a dilapidated fortress, but a picturesque Gothic castle, placed on a most commanding position. It had been destroyed by French aggression in 1688, but has been restored, or rather reconstructed, by the present King of Prussia, to whom the citizens of Coblentz made a present of the 'proud rock.' I walked thither, escorted by a kind, informed, and communicative resident; and under his guidance climbed the steep ascent, wended its circuitous and umbrageous walks, to its loftiest pinnacle. The craggy eminence is now crowned by a solid and enduring structure, more congenial with the arts of peace and the occupations of religion, than the muniments of war. The grounds are intersected, planted, and gravelled for pedestrian recreation, with most enchanting views upon the Rhine; and a neat Gothic chapel, of granite masonry, was almost completed. I did not then expect that so soon after this castle should be commemorative of the royal tour of the British Sovereign, when the Monarch of Prussia should so heartily welcome Queen Victoria. But no prince could command a more magnificent and enchanting view for his most honoured guest. The appearance from the river is striking; and it forms a lovely and attractive feature in the landscape; but the view from

MONUMENT OF TYRANNY.

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the tower is diversified and extensive. It more than compensates for a five miles' walk from Coblentz, and all the fatigue incident to it. The expanse along the Rhine, up and down, and on the opposite bank, where stand the church of St. John, (one thousand years old,) and Lahneck, with castellated walls and ruins, supplies the most varied and charming scenes for the traveller's eye.

Some objects of sombre and antique structure, the memorials of baronial grandeur and oppression, help to fill the prospect, and give character to the scene. Marksburg Castle, the only entire specimen of martial architecture which remains uninjured and unaltered from the middle ages, on the Rhine, is conspicuous on a conical rock which overhangs the town of Braubach, on the opposite bank. Its dungeons, and deep-sunk well-like cells; its hundloch and folterkammer; its dog-hole and torture-chamber; its gibbets and racks for inflicting human misery; remained till the present century, as proof of what cruelty barons could perpetrate. Even now, Marksburg is used as a prison for political offenders, and is kept in security by a garrison of invalids. It seemed to me to cast a dismal shade on the waters of the Rhine as they rolled by, and gave a dreary aspect to surrounding associations.

The ruins which intersperse with the natural beauties of the river, invite not only the admiring gaze of the traveller, but the fond reminiscences and attempts at vivid delineation of the narrator. The legendary and traditional literature of the Rhine exceeds the pretensions of other countries; and contains more fabled heroism, gallantry, and imagination, than I am familiar with in the circle of knowledge. Every spot seems haunted or consecrated either by poetry and fiction, or by enthusiasm and superstition. A fortress, strong enough almost to battle the elements, stands perched on this rugged rock; and massive and sombre edifices lie crumbling in that sheltered and