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The Lower Rhine.

← Maase or Meuse at Rotterdam, the Waal-so called

above the junction with the Meuse as far as Pannerdenthe Ligne, the Leck, the Old Rhine at Leyden, the Vecht at Utrecht, the Yssel that flows past Zutphen and thence to the Zuyder Zee, what are these but the Rhine itself, which having received the waters of a multitude of tributaries, finds the ocean through the mud and sand of Holland-mud and sand which it has itself there deposited? Its sources are in the Alps. The avalanches and the glaciers feed the lakes and streams of Switzerland. These find their outlet in the mighty Rhine-the king of rivers-holding its course nearly a thousand miles through the fairest and richest fields of Europe, its banks crowded with cities and towns, or rising into vineclad hills--an historic and a "wizard stream" beyond all others-navigable

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for six hundred miles from Basil to the sea, it quietly loses itself in the ocean in sluggish and meandering streams. The river is called the Lower Rhine from Cologne or Köln to its mouths, a distance of three hundred miles. The country on either side is low, and in many cases the dykes which protect it from inundations are so elevated that but little prospect can be gained from the low steamers which ply upon this river.

At Amsterdam we took the train for Arnheim, passing through Utrecht. The same rich cultivation prevailed, and many villas embowered in trees came into view. As we approached Utrecht, the country became somewhat more elevated and the flat lands were left behind. The morning had been hazy, but when we reached Arnheim, we had a glorious sunshine, and the temperature was delightful. The country about Arnheim is very pleasing. In full view of the Station House, Hartzerberg, the seat of a Baron, spreads out its lawn of brilliant verdure tastefully diversified with trees. The mansion is not exceedingly large, and is quite simple in its effect, The whole attracted my fancy by the quiet good taste which seemed to predominate, and a cheerful homelike air. But every thing appeared cheerful this day: I had reached the Rhine, I was about to ascend it-the glories of the Rhine and of Switzerland were before me-the dreams of many years were about to be realized.

Above the Station House, in the second story, was an excellent Restaurant with a large and well-furnished saloon connected with a piazza. Here we ordered our dinner. In an adjoining room was a band of music playing many beautiful airs. The serene day, the presence of the Rhine, the river of

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