CHAPTER VII. 



We suppose the traveller to have fixed his head-quarters 

 at Remagen or Sinzig as convenient spots for excursions 

 into the valley of the Ahr and the volcanic region of the 

 Eifel. If he crosses the Rhine with a descending steamer 

 to Konigswinter at the foot of the Drachenfels, he finds 

 himself in a volcanic region, apparently a continuation of 

 the chain on the opposite side, and known by the name 

 of the Seven Hills. The summit of one of these is 

 crowned by a former convent, now a substantial farm- 

 house, with a considerable establishment. But we do 

 not know anything very remarkable to attract the in- 

 quiring agriculturist up the steep ascent to the Peters- 

 berg, unless he have plenty of time to devote to the 

 gratification of his curiosity. 



If he will follow us in an excursion into the back 

 country, taking the road from Bonn to Siegburg and 

 Altcnkirchen, there is not a little to be seen and learnt 

 that he will find well worthy of attention. At Siegburg 

 we reach the hills that bound the level valley of the 

 Lower Rhine, and which grow steeper and more tortuous 

 in proportion as we follow the road leading northwards. 

 All the hills are covered with wood, but for the most 

 part present a very different aspect from the stately plan- 

 tations of the Upper Ardennes. From Altcnkirchen to 

 Wissen-on-the-Sieg the country becomes more romantic 

 as we proceed, and at Wissen a wild valley, shut in by 



