. It is lofty and
gloomy. Worms itself is a shadowy and silent city as compared with the
past.

"The Luther Monument is a history of Protestantism in stone and
bronze. It is one of the noblest works of art of modern times, and its
majesty and unity are a surprise to the traveller. Luther is of course
the central figure. He stands with his Bible in his hands, and his
face upturned to heaven. Around him are the figures of the great
reformers before the Reformation: Wycliffe, of England; Waldo, of
France; Huss, of Bohemia; and Savonarola, of Italy. The German princes
who befriended and sustained the Reformer occupy conspicuous places,
and the immense group presents a most impressive scene, associated
with lofty character and commanding talent.

[Illustration: A BATTLE BETWEEN FRANKS AND SAXONS.]

"We went to the place where Luther sat beneath a tree, when his
companions sought to dissuade him from entering Worms.

"'I would go to Worms,' he said, 'were there as many devils as there
are tiles upon the roofs.'

"The high pitched roofs and innumerable tiles on them everywhere met
our eyes, and recalled the famous declaration.

[Illustration: LUTHER'S HOUSE.]

"I should here tell you the

STORY OF SIEGFRIED AND THE NIBELUNG HEROES.

The early nations of Europe seem to have come out of the northwest
of Asia. The Celts or Gauls came first; other tribes followed them.
These latter tribes called themselves _Deutsch_, or _the people_.
They settled between the Alps and the Baltic Sea. In time they came
to be called Ger-men, or war-men. They lived in rude huts and held
the lands in common. They were strong and brave and prosperous.

[Illustration: A TRIBE OF GERMANS ON AN EXPEDITION.]

They worshipped the great god Woden. His day of worship was the
fourth of the week; hence Woden's-day, or Wednesday.

Woden was an all-wise god. Ravens carried to him the news from
earth. His temples were stone altars on desolate heaths, and human
sacrifices were offered to him.

Woden had a celestial hall called Valhall, and thither he
transported the souls of the brave; hence the name Valhalla.

There were supposed to be water gods in the rivers and elves
throughout the forest. The heavens were peopled with minor gods, as
well as the great gods, and the spirits of the unseen world could
make themselves visible or invisible to men as they chose.

Most great nations have heroes of s