CATHEDRAL AT COLOGNE.

THE cathedral at Cologne, though far from being com-pleted, is one of the most magnificent gothic structures inEurope. It is dedicated to St. Peter, and, according to po-pular tradition, was erected, as it now stands, between theyears 1254 and 1258. But other and more probable accountsstate that it was begun in the year 1248, and was continued,at various times, till 1499. It is said that the designs for thecomplete edifice have been recently discovered, and within thepresent year, workmen have been employed in preparing for arenewal of the laborious undertaking of carrying on the build-ing according to the original plans.

The tombs of the three Wise Men of the East are shewn inthis cathedral. According to tradition, their bodies were con-veyed first to Constantinople by Helena, thence to Milan byEustorphius, and lastly to Cologne by Archbishop Reynoldin 1164.