LINES ON THE PETER’S BRUNNEN.
Trickling gently, lightly falling,
The Water-Nymph to us is calling
From her hidden cool retreat,
Where the hill-drops fresh do meet;
And to us she seems to say,
“My commands on you I lay,
“That, while thus you near me stay,
“You shall drive all care away,
“And with my waters’ murmur sweet
“Refresh your minds at my retreat.”
The meadow that fills the valley of Bertrich is intersected with walks, and gardens are being formed at the end farthest from the village. Above these new gardens the Alf falls in a cascade over the rocks; a part of the water is conducted into fish-ponds, that are to be well stocked.
The Falkenlei is well worth visiting; it is a bare mass of rock, that rears its head over the tree-tops on the summit of a mountain: it is 160 feet high and 600 feet long; it is formed of basalt, and is inhabited by foxes and falcons. It is supposed to be an extinct volcano.
One of the best rambles is down the valley nearly to the village of Alf, and then up the hills to Burg Arras; afterwards, explore the Uesbach valley. But in all directions the walks are nearly equally beautiful, and as only a visit can convey a proper idea of Bad Bertrich, we will not endeavour to bring into mere words such beautiful scenery: go and explore!
The first Knight of Arras was a brave man, who, at the time of the Hunnish invasion, was a poor collier; he had twelve sons equally brave, and they all fought so stoutly and well, that after the defeat of the Huns the Pfalz-graf selected this collier as the bravest and best warrior there, and causing him then to kneel down conferred on him the order of knighthood and gave him this castle.
The Alf-bach, of which we here give a peep, falls into the Moselle at the village of Alf, which is a cheerful old town; as usual, beautifully placed between the river and brook: it contains very good little inns, and is a good point to rest at.
Alf-bach.