AIX-LA- CHAPELLE . 



139 



them is a crescent-formed table to hold the mugs 

 and glasses ; — whilst betwixt it and the lions stand 

 two neatly dressed and well behaved young females 

 from the city. These serve all postulants, be they 

 rich or poor, or healthy or indisposed. No fee 

 is ever asked ; but a little box stands on the table 

 ready to receive a mite from him whose heart can 

 feel for those who want it. 



I know not who Eliza was, from whom this 

 fountain takes its name. But, certainly, the name 

 " Eliza " is a very pretty one, for a temple so 

 salubrious, and so resorted to as this is. A poet, 

 whilst sauntering through it, after his beneficial 

 glass of water, may fancy her to be a descendant 

 of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt ; — she who con- 

 quered Julius Caesar, and caused Mark Antony 

 to slay himself. Or perhaps some Scottish stranger 

 full of the beauties in ''Thomsons seasons," may 

 imagine, that this unknown Eliza has come down 

 in a straight line from poor Lavinia, gleaning in 

 Palemon's fields. 



Romantic speculation apart, as to who Eliza 

 was, all must agree, that this fountain is the pride 

 and ornament of Aix -la- Chapelle ; and that its 

 waters bring health to thousands who annually 

 resort to drink them almost boiling from the lions' 

 mouths. 



