SECRETARY'S REPORT. 809 



border all the highways, almost without exception. Their 

 cultivation, with that of vines, roots and grass, interspersed with 

 ponds, rivers, meadows and forests, the neat and pretty houses, 

 and good roads, all give one the impression of prosperity and 

 good government. 



We left with regret, and pursued our course down the Neckar 

 to Heidelberg. This old city is in the Grand Duchy of Baden, 

 beautifully situated at the beginning of the valley of the Neckar. 

 Tiie old castle, situated on a high eminence overlooking the 

 city, is an object of interest from its historical associations. 

 The neighborhood shows many evidences of high cultivation 

 and productiveness. The sugar beet, tobacco and Indian corn 

 are conspicuous among the crops raised. 



As we descend the river towards Frankfort on the Main, the 

 cultivation of the vine increases. We stopped at Frankfort 

 long enough to visit the house where Goethe was born, and to 

 see his statue, and the other objects of interest in that old free 

 city, and then began the tour of the Rhine. 



Here, between Frankfort and Mayence, is the celebrated 

 Hockheim, one of the oldest vineyards in Rhenish Prussia, and 

 which has given the general name of Hock to all the light 

 Rhine wines of this section. The vineyard is on the summit 

 of a hill, and contains not far from eight acres, which are said 

 to be worth a " ducat a foot." The whole has a fine exposure 

 to the sun all day, and is completely protected from the cold 

 winds. A little brook runs along the hill, conveniently for 

 irrigation, if necessary. A sparkling wine has been made at 

 this vineyard for some years past, called Moussirender-Hock- 

 heimer, the first quality of which is the well known Nonpareil. 

 Many prefer it to Champagne. 



We enter now what has been called the " Paradise of Ger- 

 many." A thousand associations cluster around its vine-clad 

 hills, and its crumbling, picturesque ruins. Here Cassar led 

 his armies. Here Charlemagne established the largest empire 

 in Europe. Here the printing press was first set in motion, at 

 Mayence. Here Napoleon won some of his great victories. 

 History, poetry and romance have lavished their charms upon 

 this river, and the country upon its banks. 



The vineyards on the Rhine have long been celebrated. It 

 is not easy to see in what their beauty consists, except at the 



