AGRICULTURE ON THE RHIKE. 39 



where the architect will find the first specimen of that 

 combination of the round with the pointed arch, which 

 is characteristic of the Rhenish architecture of the middle 

 ages. We may take a passing steamer at Xanten and 

 land on the opposite bank at Ruhrrt, at the mouth of 

 the navigable and romantic river Ruhr, whose rocky bed 

 and rapid current at Miihlheim are crossed by a hand- 

 some chain-bridge. 



These two places are the chief seat of the coal-trade, 

 \Ahich has attained a great extent on the Rhine. 



