The canal thus formed was used to send wine from Trèves to Cologne, without the trouble of putting it into casks.[1]
Not less wonderful is the following:—
LEGEND OF THE DOM[2] OF TRÈVES.
While meditating over his undertaking, the contractor for the building of the Dom was accosted by a gentlemanlike stranger in red, who said to him in a hearty tone, “Cheer up, for I can help you; but first tell me for what purpose you wish so large a house.”
The contractor, delighted, guessed who the stranger was, and replied in artful words that he wished to raise this house for a gambling and drinking palace.
“Hurrah!” said the man in red, “just what I am fond of!” and they agreed upon terms and went to work.
The building went bravely on, until the Red Man seeing altars and such-like things arising, with which he was then unacquainted, asked what it all meant; but being told that these were tables for dice, was satisfied.
One day, returning from the roof to which he had been carrying up large stones, the Red Man saw the Bishop consecrating the new church; then the bells tolled solemnly, and Satan found he had been outwitted. He rushed at an altar, and endeavoured to tear it down, but left a claw sticking into it, it having been consecrated; then with a yell he fled, and the contractor mocked him, shouting “Never build more churches without a written agreement.”