Wednesday morning this happy party took the train for Mayence up the Rhine, as the boats, they found, were not yet running.
Alice and Nellie had been reading up the legends of the Rhine, and could hardly wait to see its beauties and wonders.
The Rhine was not reached until after leaving Bonn. The scenery was so pretty they did not miss the river views.
In full view of the train was the famous avenue of horse-chestnuts, three-quarters of a mile in length. There is a large university at Bonn, and many other schools. As many of the students in their different costumes came to the station and walked up and down the platform to show themselves, the girls were very much amused.
The city is also noted as being the birthplace of Beethoven.
As soon as Bonn was out of sight, the river was beside them. At first the entire party were disappointed, the river seemed so quiet, narrow, and sluggish, compared to the rivers at home.
However, that was soon forgotten as its beauties grew upon them.
They soon saw the Seven Mountains coming into view, and wished they could stay over one night to see the sun rise from the top.
Mr. Winter felt he must hurry on, as they had spent so much time in Brussels, and see all they could from the train.
At Oberwinter, where there is the finest view down the Rhine, all the party looked back to see it.