p. 31

right bank of the river immediately below the strong for
tification erected by the command of Napoleon, as a sort
of tete du pont for Mayence. Biberich is indeed a su-
-perb residence, but much disused & it is difficult to find
admission within its walls. The blue mountains of the Rhein-
-gau are seen from the Chateau elevatig themselves on
the right bank of the river, which here resemble a majestic
lake, whose waters reflect the villages of Schierstein, Ell-
-feld & Walluf, adorning their margins. The particular
part of the country called Rheingau, so justly celebrated
for its wines, extends from Nied-Waluf down to Lorch-
-hausen, on a line of sloping hills, fronting the south, and
sheltered from the N & N:E. winds. The wine made in
the vineyard of Johannesberg is considered the best of all
the wines produced in the Rhine & sells at a price con-
-siderably higher, than the others. The hills inclosed within
the two places mentioned are entirely clothed with vine-
-yards in terraces, one above another. Abreast of the cha-
-teau our view extended down the river to the hills, Jo-
-hannisberg, & [Rochenburg?] & further on the horrizon the [illegible]
-eph of Bingen, where the Rhine appears to terminate its
course. On the Mayence side of the river the view is also
very interesting. Walluf is called the port of the Rheingau
in the neighbourhood of Schierstein [illegible] the beautiful river
of the proud Chateau of Trauenstein. Ellfield is the principal
place of the Rheingau district, & is a pretty object on the border
of the river, with its Gothic towers & country houses. At Hatten-
-heim below, they make an exquisite wine called Marke-
-brunner. Johannisberg (Mt St. Jean), divided into terraces
rises upon a gentle ascent & overlooks a charming country!
From the summit you gain the whole extent of the Rhein-
-gau, with its numberless villages & towns, its country houses,
[illegible] the mountains crowned with ancient castles in
ruin, & the Islands scattered here & there in the river.
The vineyards of Mt. St. Jean comprise a space of 55 ar-
-pens, & all the vines are of the "Riessling" speices. The
village stands at the bottom of the hill, the Convent of [illegible]