594 LETTERS FROM A CONTINENTAL TOURIST. 



height, it may be traced for many miles down the river before the 

 waters become amalgamated. 



An unmilitary eye cannot judge fairly of the strength or weakness 

 of a fortress ; but I may as well mention that when I had managed 

 to explain to a bandy-legged serjeant who acted as our cicerone, that 

 I thought a portion of the wall on which we were standing not quite 

 inaccessible, he pointed, with a grim smile, to the embrasures, from 

 which every shot that was fired would sweep the ascent from end to 

 end. The views I have seen of Ehrenbreitstein, it must be confessed, 

 are flattering likenesses, though it is not impossible that under a bright 

 sun it may show to more advantage. 



The floating bridges on the Rhine are among the most remarkable 

 objects that a traveller may see. They are arranged in the form of 

 a crescent, the convex side turned up the stream. The flooring is 

 supported on beams which rest on lighters moored in the direction of 

 the current. To enable the steam-boats and other large vessels to 

 pass, a brace of the supporting boats on either side of the river have 

 windlasses attached to their mooring chains, so that by letting the ca- 

 ble run out they float down the stream, carrying with them that part 

 of the bridge they support, and leaving a clear passage. As soon as 

 the vessel has passed, the cable is wound up again, the barges resume 

 their position in the crescent, and the communication between the 

 banks of the river is again perfect. 



There are several of these wooden bridges, and many more flying 

 bridges. These consist of a large vessel, with a stage or deck to 

 contain passengers, whether of the human species or not, and mer- 

 chandise if it be needful. To this is attached a chain which is sup- 

 ported on a series of boats to prevent it from dragging along the bed 

 of the river, and is moored fast in the middle of the water-course. 

 When they wish to cross, the head of the great vessel at the extre- 

 mity of the chain is turned up the stream slantwise, and the cur- 

 rent pressing on the broadside of the barge carries it over to the other 

 bank. 



We were too late to see any thing of the reviews atCoblentz, and 

 were obliged to content ourselves with criticising the appearance of 

 two or three regiments which marched past our windows in the 

 morning. The men are much larger than the French troops, but 

 have not the air of activity and intelligence which so pre-eminently 

 distinguishes the scarlet-breeched warriors of modern Gaul. On 

 comparing the men one can readily conceive how Napoleon para- 

 lyzed his German antagonists by the celerity of his movements, if 

 one were only to judge by the tools either party worked with. 



We leftCoblentz for Coin at noon, and arrived in six hours, during 

 the greater part of which time the rain fell in torrents, no very plea- 

 sant adjunct to the crowded state of the packet. The Drachenfels, 

 and the scenery immediately in the neighbourhood before reaching 

 it, are beautiful. I know not whether the mist and clouds in which 

 it was enveloped added to or detracted from its charms, but I saw 

 nothing else on the Rhine to be compared with this rugged crag 

 and its environs. The ruin on the summit of the rock furnishes an 

 object of definite magnitude by which to judge of the height of the 



