appearance. On the top, along the
front and sides, it is adorned by a number of statues representing
various emblems and figures in Russian history. The most beautiful
apartment of the edifice is the Salle Blanche, or white saloon,
where the court fetes are held. The room contains the crown jewels
of Russia, and is decorated in pure white and gold. The effect
is most dazzling.]

[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL, COLOGNE, GERMANY.--This building
justly excites the admiration of every beholder, and is probably
the most magnificent Gothic edifice in the world. It stands on a
slight eminence, sixty feet above the Rhine. As early as the ninth
century, an Episcopal church occupied the site, but the inhabitants
regarded it to be unworthy, as compared with the prosperity of the
city, and consequently started a new one. The foundation-stone
of the present structure was laid on August 14, 1248. On the 15th
of October, 1880, the completion of the Cathedral was celebrated
in the presence of William I.]

[Illustration: BINGEN, GERMANY.--Bingen, a Hessian town of Prussia,
with a population of 7100, is situated at the confluence of the
Nahe and Rhine rivers. The Romans erected a castle here in 70,
when a battle was fought between them and the Gauls. Bingen carries
on a large trade in wine, starch and leather. The town is in a
beautiful and highly picturesque country, and is visited by thousands
of tourists during the summer season. On an island in the Rhine is
the Mansethum, or "Rat Tower," a structure erected in the thirteenth
century. Bingen is celebrated in song, poetry, story and history.]

[Illustration: EHRENBREITSTEIN, GERMANY.--This small town, with
five thousand three hundred inhabitants, prettily situated in a
valley, is crowned with the fortresses of Ehrenbreitstein and
Asterstein, which are connected with Coblenz by a bridge of boats,
about four hundred yards in length. The majestic fortress of
Ehrenbreitstein rises opposite the influx of the Moselle, and is
situated on a precipitous rock, three hundred and eighty-five feet
above the Rhine, inaccessible on three sides, and connected with
the neighboring heights on the north side only. The view from the
top is one of the finest on the Rhine. It embraces the fertile
Rhine Valley from Stolzenfels to Andernach.]

[Illustration: FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN, GERMANY.--The above city,
formerly one of the few independent towns of Germany, now belongs
to Prussia. Old watch-towers in th