Industry of the Rhine Embracing a View of the Social Condition of the Rural [& Manufacturing] Population of That District (Volume 1-2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846. Excerpt: ... 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 Kbnigswinter 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 farmhouse, with a considerable establishment. But we do not know anything very remarkable to attract the inquiring agriculturist up the steep ascent to the Petersberg, 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 Altenkirchen, there is not a little to be seen and learnt that he will find well worthy ef 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 plantations of the Upper Ardennes. From Altenkirchen to Wissen-on-the-Sieg the country becomes more romantic as we proceed, and at Wissen a wild valley, shut in by wooded heights, offering a great variety of mountain scenery, at the bottom of which the river Sieg rolls its rapid waters, forms a striking contrast both to the broad valley of the Rhine and the narnnfcglens of the Ardennes in its immediate vicinity. Hero the elevation of the ground and the circumstance of our being on the north side of the Westerwald, and consequently in a...