Zigzag Journeys in Northern Lands Part 29

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, COLOGNE.]

"Leaving the tomb,--a pile of jewels,--we went out, and near the outskirts of the city found the famous Church of Skulls,--a gilded ossuary, a.s.sociated with a mediaeval legend. It was full of cabinets of bones, said to be those of eleven thousand virgins slain for their faith by the Huns.

"Here we were shown--

"_A part of the rod with which the Saviour was scourged._

"_A thorn from the crown of thorns,--the Spicula._

"_The pitcher in which Jesus turned water into wine._

"'The Mediaeval Church,' said our English-speaking guide, who had little faith in the genuineness of the relics, 'has exhibited some relics from time to time that would repay a long and arduous pilgrimage if they were what they purported to be; as, for instance, a feather of the angel Gabriel, the snout of a seraph, a ray from the star of Bethlehem, _two_ skulls of the same saint,--one taken when the departed saint was somewhat younger, as flippantly explained to an astonished tourist, who found in two cities the same consecrated cranium.

"'But of all the relics of which we ever read, some Germans who visited Italy in search of these precious mementos received the most remarkable.

"'One of these gentlemen, having applied to an ecclesiastic for some memento of Scripture history which he could take back to Germany, was both astonished and delighted by receiving a carefully prepared package, which he was a.s.sured contained a veritable leg of the a.s.s on which was made the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the people strewed palm branches in the way and shouted hosannas.

"'He was enjoined to keep the treasure a secret until he reached home, which injunction he scrupulously obeyed.

"'Arriving in Germany, he disclosed to his four companions the wonderful relic. They were much surprised, for each had been secretly intrusted with the same remarkable treasure. So it appeared that the a.s.s had _five_ legs, which, of itself, would have been something of a miracle.

"'Whether these wiseacres ever visited the Latin kingdom in search of relics again I am not apprised.'

"Cologne is full of relics. The people regard them with reverence; they serve the purpose of scriptural object-teaching to them. But they only shock the tourist who has been educated to believe that religion is a spiritual life, and that Christ's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and not of this world."

Several of the stories related by the boys this evening were historical.

THE STORY AND LEGEND OF CHARLEMAGNE.

Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Roman Emperor, was born, probably at Aix-la-Chapelle, in 742. His empire at first embraced the larger part of what is now France and Germany, but it extended under his wars until at last it nearly filled Europe, and he wore the crown of Rome and the West. Napoleon, at the height of his power, governed nearly the whole territory that was once ruled by the mighty Charlemagne.

He was one of the greatest and wisest men in the history of the world. He encouraged learning, and opened a school in his palace; he maintained morality and aimed to spread Christianity throughout the world.

The Saxons were heathens. They honored a great idol called the Irmansaul. They were opposed to Charlemagne, and constantly threatened his frontiers.

Charlemagne invaded their country, overthrew the great image, and after many struggles reduced the people to submission. In accordance with the rude customs of the time, he compelled them to accept Christianity and receive baptism. He is said to have baptized the prisoners of war with his own hand. He divided Saxony into eight bishoprics, and supported the bishops with guards of soldiers. We should look upon such missionary work as this as very questionable to-day, although enlightened nations of this age have sometimes adopted a policy in dealing with other countries that is as open to criticism and censure.

The Pope of Rome became involved in troubles with the Lombards. He appealed for help to the victorious King of the Franks, the recognized champion of the Church. Charlemagne crossed the Alps, conquered Lombardy, and crowned himself with the iron crown of the ancient Lombard kings.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHARLEMAGNE IN THE SCHOOL OF THE PALACE.]

He then repaired to Rome and entered the city in triumph. As he came to St. Peter's he stooped to kiss the steps in memory of the ill.u.s.trious men that had trodden it before him. The Pope there received him in great ceremony, and the choir chanted, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

He now became the most powerful monarch in the world. He gained great victories over the Moors in Spain, and it was in one of the mountain pa.s.ses there that the chivalrous young Roland, of heroic song, perished. His lands stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean.

In the year 800 he went to Rome. It was Christmas Day. He entered the basilica of St. Peter's to attend Ma.s.s. He approached the altar, and bowed to pray. The Pope secretly uplifted the crown of the world and placed it upon his head.

The people shouted, "_Long live Charles Augustus, crowned of G.o.d, Emperor of the Romans!_"

From this time Charlemagne was the Kaiser, or Caesar, of the Holy Roman Empire on the Tiber and the Rhine.

The Rhine was loved by Charlemagne. He lived much on its borders, and he was buried near it, in a church that he had founded, at Aix-la-Chapelle.

"I'd dwell where Charlemagne looked down, And, turning to his peers, Exclaimed: 'Behold, for this fair land I've prayed and fought for years.'

Then all the Rhine towers shook to hear The earthquake of their cheers.

"That day the tide ran crimson red (But not with Rhenish wine); Not with those vintage streams that through The green leaves gush and s.h.i.+ne: 'Twas blood that from the Lombard ranks Rushed down into the Rhine.

"'Twas here the German soldiers flocked, Burning with love and pride, And threw their muskets down to kiss The soil with French blood dyed.

'The Rhine, dear Rhine!' ten thousand men, Kneeling together, cried."

THORNBURY.

There is a beautiful legend that Charlemagne visits the Rhine yearly and blesses the vintage. He comes in a golden robe, and crosses the river on a golden bridge, and the bells of heaven chime above him as he fulfils his peaceful mission. The fine superst.i.tion is celebrated in music and verse.

"By the Rhine, the emerald river, How softly glows the night!

The vine-clad hills are lying In the moonbeams' golden light.

"And on the hillside walketh A kingly shadow down, With sword and purple mantle, And heavy golden crown.

"'Tis Charlemagne, the emperor, Who, with a powerful hand, For many a hundred years Hath ruled in German land.

"From out his grave in Aachen He hath arisen there, To bless once more his vineyards, And breathe their fragrant air.

"By Rudesheim, on the water, The moon doth brightly s.h.i.+ne, And buildeth a bridge of gold Across the emerald Rhine.

"The emperor walketh over, And all along the tide Bestows his benediction On the vineyards far and wide.

"Then turns he back to Aachen In his grave-sleep to remain, Till the New Year's fragrant cl.u.s.ters Shall call him forth again."

EMANUEL GEIBEL.

THE STORY AND LEGEND OF BARBAROSSA.

Frederick of Germany was a very handsome man. There was a tinge of red in his beard, and for that reason he came to be called Frederick Barbarossa. He was an ambitious man, and he went to Rome to be crowned.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHARLEMAGNE INFLICTING BAPTISM UPON THE SAXONS.]

It was a time of rival popes, and Barbarossa entered into the long controversy, which would make a history of itself. He captured Milan, and levelled the city. The sacred relics in the churches were sent to enrich the churches of Germany. Among these were the reputed bodies of the three Wise Men of the East; these were sent to Cologne, and are still exhibited there amid heaps of jewels.

Barbarossa was constantly at war with popes and kings: he gained victories and suffered reverses; but his career was theatrical and popular in those rude times, and he was regarded as a very good monarch as kings went.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GERMANS ON AN EXPEDITION.]