AJX-LA CHAPELLE. 



149 



of Aix-la-Chapelle. My reader must consult the 

 page of history. He will find there, what I am 

 unable to recount : — for my time is mortgaged, 

 and time flies on apace. 



The Town-hall of this city, stands on the top 

 of a hill, shewing weather-beaten turrets of very 

 ancient architecture ; the civic authorities being 

 busily engaged in restoring that, which time and 

 neglect have so visibly caused to go to ruin. 



In front of the building, but not quite in the 

 centre, is a most magnificent marble fountain, 

 surmounted by a bronze statue of Charles the Great. 

 Here the warrior stands, — armed for battle, — and 

 has triumphantly weathered for centuries, the heats 

 of summer, and the blasts of winter. 



One day, the fraternising strangers already 

 mentioned, bethought themselves, like Keynard 

 with his geese, that their own capital was sadly 

 in want of a remarkable statue, and some other 

 trifles. So, they made bold to lower king Charles 

 from his high situation, where he had stood for 

 many centuries ; and having packed him up, they 

 thought that they might just as well lay hold of 

 a fine bear which, for ages, had stood guard at 

 the postern door of the cathedral : and these two 

 exquisite specimens of olden workmanship, were 

 actually bundled off, on their travels to the south. 



