366

D0ME8TI0 MANNEÜS OF THE PHUSSIANP.

or, what amounts to tlie same tliing, a dilute infusion of rosehair-oil—or, better still, a mixture of raspberry cream andwater. It tastes cxactly like crude ginger-beer, feelingsomewliat pi ickly or sharp to the tongue, especially whenbeginning to " work." To be candid, it was far from pleasant— not to say nasty; for though the Germans called it sweet,it was to us precisely like so much " penny pop" in aState of violent ferment—not liaving the least flavour of grapesor wine about it. It is sold at about six kreutzers (two-penee) the quart, and is drunk by the people at vintage timein all the beer and wine-houses; for it seems to be highlyesteemed by the peasants. At this season, too, you seecasks of the " neu Wein " rolled on board the steamers as youascend or descend the Rinne,— such casks being closed merelywith wisps of straw at the bung-holes (for corks could notbe kept in them): and as the straw is pulled out after thebarreis have been ranged on the deck, the gas rushes fromthe vents like the spluttering of a liberated soda-water cork inthe dog-days.

The Rhine-bridge at Constanz is somewliat peculiar,being bordered with mills along one side of it, and coveredover for half its length. At the Constanz end Stands ahuge city gateway, similar to those about the rampart walls;and on one side, as you enter the broad-covered way, thereis a small cabin-like lodge, where you have to pay somecouple of kreutzers at your two or three first Visits, afterwhich (as you are politely informed by the toll-mistress)you are free of the thoroughfare for life.

Tlie covered part of the bridge is like a long loft, withthe rafters and backs of the tiles showing overhead. Theside towards the lake is opcn, whilst on the other side,towards Schaffhausen, the gangway is fianked by a series