bens, and their numerous pupils; the second contains a splendid Library of two hundred thousand volumes and twenty thousand manuscripts; many of the latter were collected at a very early period by the Dukes of Burgundy, and are of great value; the third, the Museum of Natural History, which is in the lower story, and surpasses in extent and value every other in the kingdom." In the gallery of modern paintings are many of Verboeckhoven's works, remarkable for their true resemblance to nature, his sheep and cattle being perfect. We have been also to the famous Wertz Gallery, where there are some very curious pictures, better designated, perhaps, as monstrosities. There is one horrible picture here, representing a person come to life in his entombed coffin. Among the natural pictures we were particularly struck with one of an old concierge sitting asleep by a window, his newspaper open before him. Beneath was a picture of two beautiful maidensone leaning over the window-sill, showing both bare arms and bust, and the other showing head, shoulder, and one side of bust. Near the floor a fine picture of a dog, with white nose and paws, lying asleep in his kennel by his lunch bowl. Another, the picture of a maiden leaning out of a window on her right arm, and showing most of her bosom, in her right hand a flower and in the left a bouquet, and pressing back the green window curtain. Looking over her shoulder is the beautiful face of another maiden. All these figures stand out from the canvas in a wonderful manner.

On the 22d there was a grand military review by the King; and from the number of regiments present we infer that the whole military force of Belgium was called out on that occasion. Preferring to visit

the Gallery and other places of interest, we did not seek positions on the field, but we saw great bodies of troops marching through the streets, affording a good opportunity to judge of their appearance. What struck us as most remarkable was the small size of the men. Compared with some of our own regiments we used to see in Washington during the late war, they were little more than pigmies; nevertheless, they doubtless understand well how to handle the musket and saber. Beyond the military the crowd was immense. On the evening of the 21st we witnessed splendid fireworks at the foot of the Park. Our pleasant Scotch friends took leave of us in Brussels, where we at the same time made the acquaintance of Mr. Usher, United States Marshal, from Massachusetts, with whom we made a trial to find our Minister, not then knowing that he had gone home.

We left Brussels at two o'clock P. M., and arrived at Cologne at ten P. M. on the 23d. We have never anywhere seen more productive fields than we saw on this route, particularly between Brussels and Liege. They are loaded with grain, now being cut and stacked, rank potatoes, beets, clover, etc. On this part of the route the face of the country is quite level, and the order in which trees are growing in the fields and on both sides of the highways, together with the abundant crops, gives the observer a landscape view on which it would seem the eye could never tire.

At Cologne the greatest interest centers in the Cathedral, which, although commenced in 1248, is not yet completed. It is most remarkable for its great dimensions and magnificent Gothic architecture. As a Gallery of Art it is far behind two or

three of the churches we visited in Antwerp; but it contains some fine paintings by Rubens, who was a native of this city, and other artists. Numerous wonderful relics are shown here, for pay-among them the bones of the three wise men of the East, who came to Bethlehem to present their offerings to the infant Saviour; one of St. Matthew's bones; and the skulls of the Magi, crowned with diamonds. In the Church of St. Ursula, likewise, there are other relics equally wonderful, including "the chains with which St. Peter was bound, and one of the clay vessels used by the Saviour at the marriage in Cana." The skeleton of St. Ursula herself, surrounded by the skulls of some of her followers, is also exhibited in a coffin; and in the Cathedral there is a large painting of her with her eleven thousand virgins, who, tradition says, made a pilgrimage with her on foot from Basle to Rome, where they were received with great honors by the Holy Father. She was the daughter of the King of Brittany; and on their return, we have it from the same authority, that, because they refused to break their vows of chastity, they were all put to death by the Huns.

There are at least three bridges across the Rhine at Cologne-one being built on boats; one of iron, three arched spans; and the third a square-built, massive structure of iron and stone, with two separate carriage-ways. We walked over the latter, from which we had a good view of the river as well as of the city, through the business part of which we also chose to make our way on foot and look, at pleasure, at whatever attracted our attention, not forgetting to buy a couple of bottles of Cologne at the very headquarters of that celebrated article.

At the moment of starting from Cologne up the

Rhine, at nine o'clock on the morning of the 25th, Mr. Trask, from Portland, Maine, who was traveling with his wife, introduced himself and wife to us, and we all became companions for the day, which, though a little raw, was passed very pleasantly. The varied scenery which came under our view as we glided along afforded us much pleasure. Cities and villages, castles and ruins of castles, sweet cottages and elegant mansions, with their adornings, terrace above terrace, sometimes to the number of thirty or more, along the rugged banks, covered with grape-vines- fields of waving grain-together presented a picture both novel and beautiful.

"Above the frequent feudal towers

Through green leaves lift their walls of gray,
And many a rock which steeply lowers,
And noble arch in proud decay,

Look o'er this vale of vintage bowers.'

We were the most interested, perhaps, in the many castles on either side, the names of which we learned as we passed them. A few miles above Bonn, on the opposite side of the river, is the celebrated Drachenfels, the highest of a group of seven mountains, on the summit of which stands an old castle, said to have been once the fortress and watch-tower of the robbers of the Rhine.

"The castled crag of Drachenfels

Frowns o'er the wide and winding Rhine,
Whose breast of waters broadly swells

Between the banks which bear the vine."

At or near Falkensberg stands the old Cathedral of St. Clements and the restored Castle of Rheinstein, the summer residence of Prince Frederick of Prussia. At the base of this Castle is a sweet little chapel, and both are nestled in a forest of shade

trees upon the side of the precipice, on a peak of which, near by, is an elegant summer house, resembling a Swiss cottage. On one of her visits to Prussia, Queen Victoria was entertained here. At Coblentz the river is spanned by boats, forming a bridge from that city to the strong fortification of Ehrenbreitstein on a high point opposite. It is said that this fortification, perhaps the strongest in Germany, is capable of accommodating one hundred thousand men, and that provisions for eight thousand for ten years could be stored in its magazines. At Coblentz there is a royal residence sometimes occupied by the Emperor of Germany. Opposite the Castle of Ehrenfels is the celebrated "Mouse Tower," associated with the tradition graphically related in rhyme by Southey. The story goes that the summer and autumn had been so wet that in winter the corn continued to grow and lay rotting on the ground; yet, rather than gather it,

"Every day the starving poor

Crowded around Bishop Hatto's door,
For he had a plentiful last year's store."

At length, having become tired of their begging, he appointed a day for them all to come to his great barn, promising to furnish them there with a winter's supply of food.

"Rejoiced at such tidings, good to hear,
The poor folk flocked from far and near;
The great barn was full as it could hold
Of women and children and young and old.

"And when he saw it could hold no more,
Bishop Hatto he made fast the door;
And while for mercy on Christ they call,
He set fire to the barn and burnt them all.