CHAPTER VII.
EVENING THE THIRD.
Strasburg.—A Memorable Christmas.—The Story of the Lost Organist.
OUR third night upon the Rhine was spent at Strasburg.
“The cathedral is the wonder of the city. The excursionist thinks of but little else during his stay there. Wherever he may be, the gigantic church is always in view. He beholds it towering over all.
“Its history is that of Germany. It grew with the German empire, and has shared all its triumphs and reverses. It was founded by Clovis. It has been imperilled by lightning some fifty times, and has as often repelled the shocks of war. In the tenth century it was burned; in the eleventh, plundered; and five years after it was nearly demolished by lightning.
“It was after the last calamity that the present structure was begun. At one time a hundred thousand men were employed upon it: can we wonder that it is colossal?
“The giant grew. In 1140, 1150, and 1176 it was partly burned, but it rose from the flames always more great, lofty, and splendid.
