The Eifel is a volcanic range, which is thrown up in peaks and great rugged masses. Formerly, these were volcanoes or craters, but now they are merely objects of interest in the landscape, shining above the level of the forest, which climbs round their bases. This level varies in height, but is always some hundreds of feet above the river; and from the table-land break little valleys, completely embosomed in trees, and glittering with brooks. In the next chapter we shall visit one of these valleys.
On the upper or south side of Marienburg, and immediately opposite, is Punderich, famous for nothing except the following legend:—
THE GOLD CROWN.
A little way out of the village of Punderich stands a small chapel, within which, on a stone altar, is a figure of the mother of God. A crown of silver shines on her head, and a white veil flows over her shoulders.
A long while ago the Virgin was crowned with a crown of pure gold; but a wicked knight, named Klodwig, who owned many forts on the banks of the river, passed by. When he was near to the chapel a great storm arose, and the fierce thunder crashed round him. Seeing the chapel he sought refuge there, and guided his horse up to the altar. Thankless for shelter, on perceiving the crown he snatched it down from the image’s head, and placed it upon that of his courser.
No sooner was the sacrilege committed than off started the courser, and fled frantically over the fields; the guilty knight, seeing the river before him, endeavoured to throw himself down from his horse, but before he could accomplish his purpose the river received them, and down sank the gold crown, the knight, and his charger.
At the end of the Marienburg promontory, round which we are now passing, is the village of Kaimt, and on the opposite shore stands the bright town of Zell.
Zell is a flourishing place, extending along the bank of the river; its general aspect is cheerful and new, but here and there an old house with little quaint pinnacles reminds us of the age of the place. These little old houses seem squeezed into corners by the pretentious new-comers, whose elbows push into the ribs of the poor old fellows, until their timbers or ribs are bulged out by the pressure.