THE EHINE. 53 



during the raging of the winter flood. This gives a 

 singular character to many parts of the scenery, and 

 impresses one more forcibly than any other circumstance 

 could do with an idea of the strength and rapidity of the 

 river, besides bestowing upon it the aspect of an almost 

 living power. 



" The sun was now sinking behind the purple summits 

 of the mountains of Lorraine, the outline of which was 

 bordered by a brilliant line of golden light, and many 

 lovely clouds, adorned with the brightest hues, were 

 resting in the western sky. The Rhine appeared in the 

 distance, sweeping down the valley, and reflecting on its 

 waters the last beams of the god of day, while, on the 

 opposite side, was heard the voice of the sentinel, and the 

 war-like flourish of the trumpet, warning the peaceful 

 labourers in the fields that the gates of the fortress were 

 about to be closed. In the back-ground the high hills of 

 Suabia were visible, embrowned with the remnants of the 

 ancient forest, and their broad expanse rendered more 

 magnificent as seen through the medium of the sultry 

 twilight. Ere long the clouds of nisht descended on the 

 valley ; the course of the river was now only discernible 

 by a vast serpentine wreath of mist which gathered on its 

 waters, though its strong and sonorous flow was distinctly 

 audible, ' piercing the night's dull ear/ and the wild note 

 of the bittern was heard while she ascended from her 



