From remote and sunless suburbs, came they to the friendly guild, Building nests in Fame's great temple, as in spouts the swallows build. As the weaver plied the shuttle, wove he too the mystic rhyme, And the smith his iron measures hammered to the anvil's chime; Thanking God, whose boundless wisdom makes the flowers of poesy bloom In the forge's dust and cinders, in the tissues of the loom. Here Hans Sachs, the cobbler-poet, laureate of the gentle craft, Wisest of the Twelve Wise Masters, in huge folios sang and laugh'd. But his house is now an ale house, with a nicely sanded floor, And a garland in the window, and his face above the door. Painted by some humble artist, as in Adam Puschman's song, As the old man grey and dove-like, with his great beard white and long. And at night the swart mechanic comes to drown his cark and care, Quaffing ale from pewter tankards, in the master's antique chair. Vanish'd is the ancient splendour, and before my dreamy eye Wave these mingling shapes and figures, like a faded tapestry. Not thy Councils, not thy Kaisers, win for thee the world's regard, But thy painter, Albrecht Durer, and Hans Sachs, thy cobbler-bard. Thus, O Nuremberg, a wanderer from a region far away, As he paced thy streets and courtyards, sang in thought his careless lay: Gathering from the pavement's crevice, as a floweret of the soil, The nobility of labour,-the long pedigree of toil." Leaving Nuremburg there is nothing of especial interest before reaching Ratisbon. Neumarkt has a remarkable church and town-hall. The route for the remaining distance is through a hilly and well-wooded region, the latter part being through the pretty valley of Nab. Passing two or three places of no note we reach RATISBON, or REGENSBURG (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST"). 1 Cabs, 1 horse, to the Walhalla, hour, 3 m. 50 pf., to go and return, 7 m. ; 2 horses, to go and return, 10 m. or 13 m. An omnibus goes several times a day to the Walhalla, 1 m. to go and return. This town is situated in the midst of a broad and fruitful valley, on the right bank of the Danube, at the mouth of the Regen. The Danube is here crossed by a bridge 1,100 feet in length, and connecting Ratisbon with its northern suburb of Stadt-am-Hof. It presents a strongly-marked medieval character, with its ancient ramparts, fosses and gates, and its narrow, crooked streets, with their high, gabled houses, while it retains many interesting monuments of its importance and wealth during the middle ages. Among its churches the most remarkable is the Cathedral, founded in 1275, and restored in 1838, a noble specimen of Gothic architecture, especially noteworthy for the fine monuments of its former bishops, and for the silver altar and numerous painted-glass windows with which it is adorned. The church of St James of Scotland is built in the pure Byzantine style, and dates from the 12th century. The Rathhaus is adorned with a beautiful Gothic portal. In it the Imperial Diets were formerly held. Underneath the Rathhaus are prisons and chambers of torture, in which the instruments of torture are still preserved. A latticed-room adjoining one of the chambers of torture, occupied by the judges, is shown. The Palace of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis, formerly the Abbey of St Emmeran, and the arsenal are objects of interest. The city contains several monasteries, a synagogue, antiquarian museum and picture gallery, and a royal library. Ratisbon ranks as one of the most ancient cities in Germany, and was built by the Romans, by whom it was named Reginum. It was a place of considerable commercial importance in the early period of Christianity. During the middle ages it was the chief seat of the Indo-Levantine trade, and was one of the wealthiest and most populous cities of Southern Germany. From 1663 to the dissolution of the German Empire in 1806, Ratisbon was, with a very short interregnum, the seat of the German Diet. THE WALHALLA, or Temple of Fame, is 6 miles from Ratisbon. This magnificent edifice is situated upon a height 300 feet above the Danube. It was built by King Louis in 1830-42, and cost eight millions of florins. It is built after the model of the Parthenon at Athens, and is of the same dimensions, its length being 218 feet, its breadth 102 feet, and its height 60. The material is white marble. An entablature divides the interior into two parts. It supports 14 caryatides of coloured marble, which in turn support a superior entablature. Along this entablature is a frieze executed by Wagner, representing, in eight compartments, the history of Germany up to the time of the introduction of Christianity. Along the lower walls are busts of illustrious Germans to the number of 100, commencing with that of the Emperor Henry, and ending with that of Goethe. The grounds around the edifice are laid out in walks, and the view from them is exceedingly beautiful. Leaving Ratisbon the first station of importance is Straubing (25 miles), situated on the Danube in the midst of a fertile plain. It has two interesting old churches and a chateau. At the confluence of the Vils and Danube (60 miles) is Vilshofen, and 14 miles farther PASSAU (Hotel: Bayerische Hof), a large town at the junction of the Inn and Danube. Its two old churches, the Cathedral and St Paul's, are worthy notice. Opposite Passau is the fortress of Oberhaus, on an eminence overlooking the Danube. The railway passes under the parade ground by a long tunnel. Passing several stations of no interest, we reach WELS (126 miles), which is on the line from Munich to Vienna by Salzburg. Next we reach LINZ (143 miles) (Hotel: Erzherzog Karl), for notice of which see page 580. From Linz to Vienna by rail, 118 miles. (For description of VIENNA see page 581.) PASSAU TO LINZ BY THE DANUBE. (A steamer leaves Passau every day at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The time to Linz is usually 4 hours.) The steamer route is very beautiful and preferable to the rail. Immediately after quitting Passau, we have a beautiful view, looking back, of the city and its environs. As far as Engelhardszell the right bank of the river is Austrian, and the left bank Bavarian. The first town after leaving is Krempelstein (right bank), with a little castle on a steep rock. Next, on the left, is Obernzell, the last Bavarian station. At Viechtenstein, on the height, we see a large castle. Farther on, at the left, the Yochenstein, which has marked for ages the frontier between Bavaria and Austria. The next station on the right is ENGELHARDSZELL, mentioned above, with an ancient Benedictine convent. Here is the Austrian custom-house. The next station, on the left, is Ranariedl, with an old castle which is still inhabited. On the right is Wesenurfahr, an old town which has a large trade in wines, and farther, on the left, is Marsbach, a castle with an ancient tower. Farther, on the right, we see the ruins of Wesenstein, in the midst of a pine wood. Opposite the tongue of land, round which the steamer turns, Buchanau, and soon see again Postlingberg, with its church, which we had seen before from near Aschach, above. Passing now, on the right, Mount Calvary, and the Yoegermayr, which is often ascended for its beautiful view, we soon reach LINZ, which is described on page 580. ROUTE 145. TO HOMBURG. is a wooded gorge with a mill, FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN which from 1809 to 1813 marked the frontier. Farther on, on the 1.00 m. left, is Hagenbach, a ruined 14 miles; 1st class, 1.80 m.; 2nd, castle. From this point the banks of the river are narrower, and the river itself is confined between wooded heights, which vary in height from 600 to 900 feet, and there are many windings in its course. This part of the river is considered the most At picturesque upon the whole Cabs.-From station to the town, one or two persons, 60 pf.; three or four persons, 80 pf. Luggage, 20 pf. In the town, hour, one horse, 80 pf.; two horses, 1.20 m. Tax-For persons staying more than five days, one person, 12 m.; two persons, 18 m. ; three or four persons, 24 m.; larger parties, 30 m. concert and reading rooms, the latter supplied with a great number of journals, a beautiful theatre, and a restaurant. The orangery and ornamental grounds are also the property of the town, and are thrown open, as well as the Kursaal, to the public. The neighbourhood abounds in pleasant excursions, among which are those to the Roman remains, a wall and fosse, called Saalburg, supposed to date from 9 B.C., to Nauheim, remarkable for its salt and iron springs, and many others. A beautiful English church was completed several years since, and regular services continue throughout the year. The old Schloss, the former residence of the Landgraves, now one of the imperial residences of the German Emperor, is a picturesque and interesting object. The lodging-houses of Homburg have always been celebrated for their comfort. The best are in the Kisseleff Strasse, near the gardens. ROUTE 146. FRANKFORT TO MUNICH, BY STUTTGARDT. 280 miles; 1st class (express), (For that part of the journey as far as BRUCHSAL (73 miles), see Route 148, page 567.) EAVING Bruchsal we presently reach BRETTEN(83 miles). It is only distinguished as the birthplace of Melancthon. MAULBRONN (90 miles) has a handsome church in the Romanesque style. We pass through a tunnel leading from the valley of the Rhine into that of the Neckar, and reach MUHLACKER (94 miles). We cross the valley of the Enz over a viaduct 1000 feet long. After passing Bletigheim, we pass, on the right, the Castle f Hohenasperg, now a prison. LUDWIGSBURG (113 miles) (Hotel: Bar), the great military depot of Wurtemburg, and contains arsenal, gun - foundry, barracks, &c., situated a short distance from the west bank of the Neckar; the kings of Wurtemburg formerly made it their residence. The Palace contains a picture gallery. The Gardens are extensive, but not well kept up. In the neighbourhood are two royal residences: Monrepos and La Favorite. STUTTGARDT (122 miles). (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST"). Cabs One or two persons, quarter of an hour, 60 pf.; three or four persons, 80 pf. ; one hour, 1.80 and 2.10. ENGLISH CHURCH, in the Olgastrasse services all the year8.30 A. M., 11 A.M., 6 P.M. This town is beautifully situated in the Nesenbach valley, the hills forming a semicircle of eminences clothed with vineyards, orchards, and gardens. Except the very oldest part of the city, the streets are broad and the buildings handsome. The Schloss or Palace is a fine modern building, and contains numerous frescoes and other works of art. The Royal Park and gardens attached to the palace have an area of 560 acres, are adorned by fine groups of trees, and intersected by shady avenues. In the neighbourhood of the palace are the Konigsbau, with Ionic colonnade, containing the Exchange, and an arcade with shops on the groundfloor, and concert-rooms on the second floor. Stuttgardt has also a spacious opera - house, royal theatre, museum, a polytechnic school, an academy of fine arts. The cathedral, built in the fifteenth century, contains several monuments, four handsome painted windows, and an excelÎent organ. The King's stables contain one of the best studs of horses in Europe. Strangers may obtain admission to the Museum (the property of a club) for one month on introduction of a member. It contains reading-rooms, restaurant, etc. Connected with it is the Silberburg Garten, a pleasant resort at the south-west end of the town, where concerts and balls are given during the summer. Tickets at the hotels. In the immediate vicinity are alleys, parks and gardens, and at a short distance from the city are various places of holiday resort, including Rosenstein, the beautiful summer residence of the King, and near by the chateau of Wilhelma, built in the Moorish style; Cannstatt, celebrated for its mineral springs; the Moorish baths, &c. Stuttgardt holds a high position in the book-trade, and has numerous bookselling establishments. Hegel was born here. The place is of ancient date, and owes its name to a castle which existed before 1080. In 1119 it obtained corporate rights from Rudolf, Margrave of Baden, and in 1320 became the residence of the counts of Wurtemburg. It was much extended and improved about 1449, and has since, with only a short interval, been the capital. Leaving Stuttgardt, we proceed for some distance parallel to the Heilbronn line. Skirting the palace gardens, we cross the Neckar, and reach CANNSTATT (123 miles) (Hotels: Hermann). It is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Neckar, and is celebrated for its mineral springs and baths. Several Roman remains have been found here, and removed to the museum at Stuttgardt. [Tramways to Stuttgardt in 8 minutes.] Leaving Cannstatt we proceed along the right bank of the Neckar, through a district rich in vineyards, orchards, and corn-fields. On the left we see the Rothenberg, surmounted by a Greek chapel, built by the late king as a mortuary chapel for his second wife. It contains statues by Dannecker and Thorwaldsen, and was erected on the site of the ancient castle of the princes of Wurtemburg. We next reach Unterturkheim, in the neighbourhood of which a good wine is grown. ESSLINGEN (131 miles) (Hotel: Krone) a manufacturing town surrounded by walls. Its chief manufactures are woollen and cotton goods, hardware, and a wine resembling champagne. The Liebfrauenkirche is a beautiful Gothic building, the portals ornamented with reliefs; the tower, together with its octagonal spire of the fifteenth century, measures 230 ft. in height. The Stadtkirche is a Romanesque structure, dating from the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. It has a rood-screen, painted windows, and a pix of the fifteenth century. The gate named Wolfsthor bears the lion crest of the Imperial family of Hohenstaufen. The view from the Castle of Berfried, above the town, is very good. Plochingen (138 miles), near the confluence of the Fils and Neckar, the latter being crossed by an old wooden bridge. (A branch line goes to Tubingen and SCHAFFHAUSEN.) GOPPINGEN (151 miles) (Hotels: Apostle, Post) is on the Fils. It is a well-built modern town, re-erected after a fire in 1782. There was formerly herea ducal castle, erected with the stones |