Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/23

Rh freshness of youth and individuality is the river which winds around its walls, a sportive naiad, and a strong, enlivening queen at the same time. Which possesses the greatest majestic power? It lies in the two combined. Without the Aar, Berne is barren and gloomy; without Berne, the Aar would lack its full significance.

In the evening I went to Enghe.

Enghe, one of the principal places of resort for the inhabitants of Berne, lies at about a quarter of an hour's distance from the town. It is a lofty headland formed by the Aar, and is planted with beautiful trees, forming a grand promenade, from which a still more splendid view, if possible, is obtained of the Oberland Alps than from the cathedral-terrace in the town. You seem here to be nearer to them; you obtain a deeper view into their mystical temple of nature. The clouds had again encamped above their peaks, but the descending sun shone amidst them with wonderful gradations of purple, gold, and pale rose-tint. How the mystical cloud-swathings throw the Alpine peaks, now into brighter, now darker relief; now elevated, now depressed them; according as the cloud draperies elevated themselves or dropped down, or the sunbeams caught upon them, presenting ever-changing pictures; for there was a soft movement in these Alpine regions, which was unfelt beneath the green trees of Enghe, where all was profound calm. At a little distance on the terrace, wind-instruments were playing soft and beautiful melodies.

That which I felt at this moment, I cannot describe,
 * I.—2