the borders of the Rhine, and follow the road which we took from Bonn
to Coblentz. In some places it is suspended like a cornice above the
waters; in others, it winds behind lofty steeps and broken
acclivities, shaded by woods and clothed with an endless variety of
plants and flowers. Several green paths lead amongst this vegetation
to the summits of the rocks, which often serve as the foundation of
abbeys and castles, whose lofty roofs and spires, rising above the
cliffs, impress passengers with ideas of their grandeur, that might
probably vanish upon a nearer approach. Not choosing to lose any
prejudice in their favour, I kept a respectful distance whenever I
left my carriage, and walked on the banks of the river.

Just before we came to Andernach, an antiquated town with strange
morisco-looking towers, I spied a raft, at least three hundred feet
in length, on which ten or twelve cottages were erected, and a great
many people employed in sawing wood. The women sat spinning at their
doors, whilst their children played among the water-lilies that
bloomed in abundance on the edge of the stream. A smoke, rising from
one of these aquatic habitations, partially obscured the mountains
beyond, and added not a little, to their effect.

Altogether, the scene was so novel and amusing, that I sat half an
hour contemplating it from an eminence under the shade of some leafy
walnuts; and should like extremely to build a moveable village,
people it with my friends, and so go floating about from island to
island, and from one woody coast of the Rhine to another. Would you
dislike such a party? I am much deceived, or you would be the first
to explore the shades and promontories beneath which we should be
wafted along.