inclined to extend his researches, he would find himself in the neighbourhood of Aberlemno, the scene of a Danish battle, of which there are yet some monuments existing; and he would discover, that the words of the learned Hector Boece, as rendered into English by the no less learned Mr Harrison, are still nearly literally true, that in this part of the country "are so manie castels as lieth not in me to number." I am, Sir, &c. J. M. Strathmore. Hanover and took the road to Göttingen. The flatness of the country makes it very uninteresting, but in coming to a beautiful range of mountains, named the Deister, the contrast makes you enjoy the hills so much the more. The hills here are all conical, and covered to the very top with the finest wood. The road now becomes extremely romantic, especially on approaching the small town of Einbech, the environs of which abound with the most delicious wild strawberries. A great proportion of the poor people make a trade of gathering TOUR INTO THE DISTRICT OF HARZ. them for sale in the town. In the MR EDITOR, SOME years ago, while living in the north of Germany, my curiosity was greatly raised by hearing the inhabitants talk with rapture of the beauties of the Harz mountains, and of the sublime views that were to be seen from the Brochen or Blocksberg, the highest mountain in that district. The Harz appears to me so very little known in this country, that I thought a few remarks concerning it might be interesting. I am extremely sorry that my total ignorance of mineralogy will make the account less interesting than it might be; but if I can only entice any one to follow my steps, the pleasure he will receive will amply repay his trouble. As the roads in that part of Germany are quite impassible for carriages, and almost so for horses, in order to enjoy the scenery it is necessary to go on foot; and the fatigue is so great, and the accommodation in general so bad, (at least for an Englishman,) that one must be prepared for bearing the fatigues atigues of a light campaign. Having found a friend very much of my own taste, we resolved to equip ourselves like two Göttingen students; that is to say, to dress ourselves very ridiculously in the old German habit, with a soldier's pack or hunting bag, (generally made of a fox or badger's skin, retaining the shape of the living animal as much as possible,) slung across our back, a military bonnet cocked over one ear, and a large clumsy stick. Indeed, we were told the more barbarous we looked, and the more uncultivated and noisy our manners, the better would be our disguise. In the middle of July, during the most delightful weather, we passed through neighbourhood of Nordheim, which is very rich, I was astonished to see some fine wheat fields having the appearance of broad roads cut through them, and, upon inquiry, I found they had been Gehagelt, that is to say, had been visited by a hail storm, which had absolutely battered the wheat to atoms. You could follow the direction of the cloud by the destruction it had made for more than two miles. It served to give an idea of what a hail storm might be. It is We remained at Nordheim for the purpose of hiring a guide, which is necessary after quitting the high road. In passing through a lovely valley, every now and then our guide showing us a field of battle, tombs of giants, &c. we arrived at Osterode, the first town in the Harz. situated between two lofty hills, the trees of which hanging over, almost prevent the sun from being seen. The town is built of the blackest stone, which, together with its situation, gives it a very gloomy appearance. Here all traces of a road vanish, and you now enter dark forests, certain of losing yourself if you allow the guide to escape from your sight. We continued walking on the top of a high hill through a very thick forest for four hours, when on a sudden the view opened upon a valley of the most beautiful green, with the castle of Herzberg at the farther extremity. This was the castle in which George I. was born. A black rock like Ailsa rises out of the valley, crowned with a beautifully turreted castle. At the bottom of this rock is a very fine manufactory of fire arms; principally noted for its rifles, which are celebrated over all Germany. Leaving this we entered the valley of Sievers, where the summer sun can hardly ever penetrate, owing to the height of the hills on each side. Those hills at the top are seldom more than a few hundred yards from each other, but in many places the trees meet. The wood is all natural, which, at first, I could scarcely believe, as, although the hills were only separated by a small stream, the south side was covered with fine pines, while the other had the most magnificent oaks and beeches. We had been now six hours walking in this valley, without having seen a human being, and we could not help feeling our hearts fail a little on coming to a high (almost perpendicular) hill, which seemed to put an end to our progress in this direction. However, after much labour, and with the assistance of the branches, we contrived to reach the top. From this point we saw our whole day's labour, which by no means gratified us. We were much fatigued: We had been winding through a sort of labyrinth all the day, and, as the bird flies, we were not six English miles from the Castle of Herzberg, which we had left in the morning. Continuing our journey, I was thunderstruck at the appearance of a town in the distance covered with snow. Upon approaching nearer, however, I discovered my mistake. The town was built of wood, slightly charred, which, after being some time exposed to the air, acquires an icy or snowy appearance. This was Andreas Berg, well known for its silver mines. The mines here one of the best regiments of riflemen was selected from the miners, as they kill all their game with the rifle. We this day passed through a very romantic country, skirting along the high edge of a valley called the Raeberg Graben, (Grave of the Mountain Stags.) At the head of the valley was a large piece of artificial water, two or three miles long, and in some places very deep. This reservoir was formed for the purpose of supplying the mines of Andreas Berg with pure water. It is, in general, about 54 feet deep, being contained between two hills and a dike, of 100 feet thick, of large blocks of granite, fastened together by means of iron bolts. In the dike there is a sluice, which is opened for the amusement of strangers, to show with what force the water rushes. We here refreshed ourselves before beginning the ascent of the ce lebrated Brochen. In the course of two hours we crossed over parts of the kingdoms of Hanover, Brunswick, Stolberg, and Wermgerode, to the latter of which the Brochen belongs. At the house where we refreshed ourselves, we got in change the coin of those four mighty kingdoms. The ascent to the Brochen by this direction is certainly the easiest, although in all places it is very difficult. While resting ourselves upon some of the stones, the guide repeatedly called our attention to them, and told us to wet our handkerchiefs, and then to rub it upon the stone, which we did, and were not a little astonish being very deep and dirty, we resolved at the rich violet smell it produced. ed to defer our descent until we came to Clausthal, where the whole process of mining is to be seen, from the time the metal is taken out until it is shown to you as coin. The next day being Sunday, we were astonished to hear hallooing and firing upon all sides, and we found it arose from all the inhabitants being assembled at the chace The poor creatures are under very strict discipline, and are obliged to work ten hours daily, for which they get about three shillings a-week, with the right of hunting over a certain track of land during the Sundays. As the country abounds with wild boars, foxes, stags, hares, a Sunday's labour on the hills is often more productive than a month's labour under ground. When all Germany took up arms against the French in 1812 and 1813, It is called the Violet-stone. It is, in general, of a grey freestone appearance, with large veins of a brownish hue running through it; and it seemed to me to be the brownish powder that produced the smell. From every inquiry I have made, the stone appears to be little known. There were now few or no trees to be seen at this height. The wind began to be very keen, and when we arrived at the top in our light clothing, it was quite piercing. We were astonished to find on the top of this mountain a very tolerable inn, which is built on purpose for the accommodation of the crowds who come to see the wonders of Nature from this spot. The Brochen is, I believe, about 3500 feet above the sea, and perhaps this inn is the highest inhabited place in the world. Advantage has been taken of an immense number of large stones to make a circular wall, under shelter of which this house is built. The walls are of great thickness, and very low, except a tower which rises out of the centre. In the tower there is a good telescope, affording a still more extensive view. There are 30 doublebedded rooms, each about ten feet long by eight, and a sort of coffeeroom. There were here about 60 or 70 people, of all ranks and sexes; and as in Germany there are excellent musicians to be found every where, we contrived, even in this high region, to have a merry dancing party. This inn was built by Count Wermgerode, and produces a considerable sum yearly. It is incredible what crowds of people flock here to see the setting and rising of the sun. We were fortunate in weather, and I am only sorry that I have not words to express the magnificence of the sublime views presented to us from the Brochen. The day was very sultry when we ascended, and we saw symptoms of an approaching thunder-storm. The Brochen rises out of a sandy plain on one side, which gives it an appearance of great height, and it was in this direction that the clouds approached. We had several claps of thunder, and a good deal of lightning below us, and the large black ragged clouds sweeping past, and sailing under us, made the scene horribly splendid. It seemed as if a number of prodigious black rocks were sailing through the air, and, by concussion, causing fire and explosion. While the surrounding country was deluged with rain and hail, the sun was shining clearly upon us, standing as we were, wrapt up in blankets, trembling with cold, and the horror of the scene. I enjoy it more in recollection than while present, for the sensations which such scenes produce are overpowering at the moment. But how refreshing and glorious was the view of the setting sun. What a magnificent sight! The whole western horizon appeared on fire; some light clouds which were flying over us were tinged with the most beautiful purple and gold. Every thing around appeared of a deep pink colour, which, as you looked towards the east, got paler, and at last disappeared in grey shadows. Mountains, towns, villages, rivers, and lakes, were tinged with the most various and extraordinary colours. But no description can give an idea of the scene: It must be seen and felt before it can be enjoyed. At last the moment came when the sun set, and every thing became of a dark grey except the tower of the inn, upon which the rays continued to play, but, until a late hour, the horizon was so much enlightened, that we could still trace the progress of the departing orb. After the labours of this day, we felt well inclined for our beds; but we had been only a few hours laid down when the landlord called us to enjoy a scene still more imposing than that of the preceding evening. This was the sunrise. Upon first coming out of the house, we felt as if standing upon the edge of a vast silvery sea, into which we looked down. First, the trees upon the tops of the highest mountains appeared like ships in the distance, which, in a short time, changed, as if by magic, into hilly islands: At last, the sea appeared as if opening, and we beheld a large globe of fire burning in it, which, by degrees, showed a fairy land veiled in the richest hues. Then this thin mist was dispersed, and the most romantic country lay as a splendid panorama before us. No words can describe it; but I am convinced, that, if any one who knows how to taste the sublimities of nature will take the trouble of ascending so great a height, he will give himself an enjoyment, and experience feelings, of which he has not before been conscious. The view, as may be supposed, is very extensive, taking in a range of nearly 75 miles on all sides, in which are to be seen Erfurt, Weimar, Gotha, Halle, Magdeburg, Brunswick, Hanover. There are many extraordinary stories concerning the Brochen. It is fully believed by the lower orders of people in Germany to be the rendezvous of all the witches on midsummer eve; and that it is an easy matter for a quick-sighted person to see them riding on their brooms during that night. On the top of the hill is a spring called the Witches' Well, the water of which is a preservative against old age. At the side of it are two large stones, about ten feet high. One is called the Pulpit of the Devil, from which he gives advice and orders to the witches, and the other the Witches' Altar, where a sacrifice is performed once a year. A little above this spot is a large flat piece of clear black rock, named the Witches' Ballroom, where old batan and his angels dance after the sacrifice. A little below is a large chasm in the rock, which is always filled with snow, and to which it is supposed these gay personages retire, after being heated with the fatigues of the dance. low echoes that our voices produced in these dark and damp dungeons of nature. There are a great many chambers. At one time they open out into large hails, then become so narrow, that you are obliged to squeeze yourself through. The smallest openings, which were impassable, the guide was enlarging, and he told us he had not penetrated into many of these extraordinary cells. We had been now always descending, and he assured us we were fully 500 feet under the place at which we entered, and that we were even below the level of the river, which, upon entering the cave, we had seen so far below us. There is one curious chamber named the Chapel, which is so called from having the appearance of an organ, a pulpit, and pews. The resemblance is wonderfully striking. These figures are produced by the stalactite, or drop stone, which takes the most various forms. The Before quitting the inn, you are requested to write your name, country, profession, and remarks, in a large book. The landlord allowed us to look over the books of names for the two former years. The names of people from all quarters of the globe were to be seen, and some of the remarks were very amusing. To give you some idea of the numbers of visitors, three thick volumes were completely filled. On leaving the hill, some very beautiful wild mountain flowers were pre-organ, when struck with a wood or sented to us; but they withered the moment they were brought into the warmer regions below. Our descent was steep and romantic, but excessively fatiguing. We walked along the banks of a very pretty rivulet, until we came to the village of Rubeland. This village was a few years ago so completely out of the world, that, after the battle of Jena, a few French marauders lived here for some months at free quarters, without any one to interfere with them, but it is now become celebrated, from being in the neighbourhood of a very extraordinary spot called Bielshöhle, Bielscave. As the discoverer has the privilege of showing it, we went to his house, where he supplied us with a lamp, and a suit of miners' clothes. Following him, we crossed the river, and ascended a steep conical hill, about 300 feet, and came to the entrance which overhangs the river. Here the lamps were lighted, and the guide said a short prayer. We entered the narrow passage, descending gradually about 50 feet, when it be came so steep, that we were obliged to take advantage of the ladders which the guide had placed for the convenience of strangers. Our party con sisted now of twelve, and the guide ordered us to keep well together, and to call to each other to prevent our losing ourselves. The impression is very striking, from the numerous hol en mallet, emitted the sound of a deep toned bell, and when the lamps were held behind it, you could perceive it was in a great measure transparent. Here the guide ascended the pulpit, and in a strong loud voice gave us a short prayer. Although the prayer was not delivered with much grace, the mind was in this place in a very fit state for receiving impressions, and I confess I felt the scene very imposing. On ascending, we were received with a hearty gluck auf, (happy return,) and the guide having said a short prayer for our safety, we set off to visit the Baumanshöhle, a cave of the same sort, but on a much smaller scale. (To be continued.) THE SILLIAD, A POEM, I SEND you the beginning of a poem, with portions of which, if it is not of toolight a nature for your tremendously sober-minded, decorous Miscellany, I shall supply you from time to time. There is a great deal of good to be done in this world by laughing innocently, and I do not know a more delightful character than that which Shakespeare gives us of a good-humoured and well-regulated laugher Biron (not Byron) they call him; but a merrier man, Well, I've got through four stanzas, not at all Amiss, you must confess, for a beginner; Of rhymes, like spider spinning out his Yet that's a simile that does not quite fit; I don't mean to be grim, but mighty mer. ry, Skimming o'er earth and ocean in my light fit, ('Tis needless to take two bites of a cherry,) Through air and fire, and, if my mortal sight fit To penetrate the centre-hey-down-derry- ture. I do not much approve this same last stan. Yet, though I say, like Beppo, take me "Tis somewhat heavy, and has less of with you, I purpose to be perfectly original; Beppo I never read, except (in faith you Shall hear the whole truth) here and there za, Quixote, I apprehend, than honest Sancho Pança: But I must sometimes flag a bit, for thick set cent, You're very right-yet I am not My Land Yet there shall be no want at all of point in 'em: lord, Nor have a brain for tale or allegory, All o'er with smut or blasphemy, or both,An extreme unction to which I am loth. grand lord, Depend on't 'twill but hasten their damnation I shall not, in the lieu of other romance, Whip into cream the scum of Doctors' Commons. Yet why this monstrous longing after sto. Thoughts and refiections surely are much But they are not the ton-there's Peter |