the hills, has formed this crust, which makes the bottom and sides of the Laach.  The same causes are in action now; and if ever the lake should rise so high as to burst its banks, it would overflow the whole country, and carry terrible destruction with it.  Such an event was actually foreseen by the sagacious monks who formerly inhabited the abbey, for they cut a canal nearly a mile long, to give the water vent; and the discharge by it continues to this day.  The abbey is now untenanted, and is in a deplorable state of ruin; it was once celebrated for its hospitality and a fine gallery of pictures; all, however, have vanished, and the ruins are now the property of M. Delius, a magistrate of Treves.  The situation is so beautiful, surrounded as it is with fine timber, that one would suppose it worth his while to repair the place, particularly as stone is so plentiful in the neighbourhood.  It forms, however, as it is, a picturesque addition to the interest of the excursion to the lake, I returned by the mineral spring of Heilbrunn, well satisfied with my inspection of the country.  The distance from Brohl to the abbey is little more than five miles, and it is one which I would advise all tourists on the Rhine to make if they have time, whether they be geologists or non-geologists.  I fancied I had a clearer conception of.  Aetna and Vesuvius, and the living fires, from having witnessed the funnels of the extinct ones.  At all events, though little is known as to the causes of volcanic phenomena, enough is ascertained to convince us that subterranean fire exists under the whole of Europe, there not being one country or district exempt from occasional earthquakes, or some such signs of terror.

D.

* * * * *

THE SKETCH-BOOK

GARDEN OF BREMHILL PARSONAGE.

The Residence of the Rev. W. L. Bowles.

The garden contains upwards of two acres, with a gravel-walk under the windows.  A Gothic porch has been added, the bow-windows being surmounted with the same kind of parapet as the house, somewhat more ornamental.  It lies to the morning sun; the road to the house, on the north, enters through a large arch.  The garden is on a slope, commanding views of the surrounding country, with the tower of Calne in front, the woods of Bowood on the right, and the mansion and woods of Walter Heneage, Esq.  Towards the south.  The view to the south-east is terminated by the last chalky cliffs of the Marlborough downs, extending to within a few miles of Swindon.  In the garden, a winding path from the gravel-walk, in front of the house, leads to a small piece of water, originally a square pond.