HINTS of OCCURRENCES , &c.

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When the Rhine is high from a flood, the fleet fets off 7 with the prayers of the people at Andernach ; whichare often ineffe6tual; the mod dreadful accidents taking place, and the general purpofe of the adventurers fome-times defeated: but if it arrive in Holland fafely for a few feafons, the proprietors make very large fortunes.

The government of Andernach is of an uncommon nature. The Ele&or of Cologne is the fovereign of thecountry; and he has eight invalids who form the military police at what is called the Gate of the Rhine, and thecitizens or burgefles at the other gates. The Elector or Archbifhop of Treves is the vicar of the city. All thingstemporal are dire&ed from Cologne; all things fpiritual are dire&ed from Treves. Whether thefe powers comefometimes in competition, and what means are ufed to reftore their harmony, we had not time or opportunityto learn.

The trade in which the city of Andernach is moll interefted, is that of the Touff-ftein, a ftone ufed in con-ftru&ing the dykes of Holland. Enormous heaps and mafles of this ftone are always to be feen around the city,and on the banks of the Rhine. The Ele£tor of Treves is the proprietor, and they produce the greateft part ofhis revenue. The belt mill-ftones in the world are obtained in this country; and the flates for covering houfesare of great beauty, and of great value as a permanent article of trade.

Among the cuftoms of this venerable city, the ceremony of admitting citizens feemed to us the moft remark-able. At Chriftmas, or the Feaft of God, the people take arms, and form a cavalcade, under the dire&ion oftheir burgomafter. The Prince of Neuvid fends mufic and drums, and the city difcharges all the expence. Theceremony of admitting the citizens is performed in a large plain. They fix in the centre of a circle formed bythe company, a fan, or inftrument for winnowing corn. Over this fan, the candidate is to leap backward ; andto afcertain his having performed it neatly, a pail full of water is placed on the fan, which being fet in motionby the flighteft touch of the foot, throws all the water over him. A fuperb entertainment is provided, and manytons of wine confumed by the citizens, and the ftrangers they invite to witnefs this ancient, though perhaps fomemay think ridiculous, ceremony.

From Andernach we proceeded down the river to the caftle of Hammerftein, fituated eaftward of theriver. I made a drawing of this caftle, which is the fubje£t of the twenty-fecond plate. Though it is fituated onan immenfe rock, like many other fubje£ts in this work; to the artift and man of tafte the defign will appear verydifferent, on account of the extenfive opening in the diftant profpe£t, and becaufe the horizon is very low. Partof the town appearing at the bottom of a rock in the centre, while the caftle occupies the fummit; the river

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