SCHINDERHANNES, THE ROBBER OF THE RHINE. CHAPTER I. A BAD BEGINNING. THE Imperial City, as the inhabitants still love to call it, of Aix-la-Chapelle, is situated in an amphitheatre, the sides of which are formed of gentle eminences scarcely deserving the name of hills. On the north, however, the Lousberg is sufficiently lofty to diminish the violence of the wind, which breaks upon its summit, and whirls in eddies round the town; and on the south the ground rises, almost imperceptibly, till it mingles with the chain of hills which intersects the ancient forest of Ardennes, the Eifel, and the country of Montjoye. The valley itself-or the arena of the amphitheatretogether with the sides of the eminences, is clothed with the richest vegetation; while the hills beyond present, in some places, a rude and sterile aspect; and in others are covered with hoary woods. Every variety of natural scenery is comprehended within the district; nor is the city of Charlemagne, although an artificial object, out of keeping with the other parts of the picture. Looking down upon it from one of the high places we have mentioned, more especially at early dawn, or just after sunset, it is scarcely possible to remember the |