S_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY AND AUSTRIA.

V. _CROSS AND CRESCENT_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GREECE AND TURKEY.

VI. _ISLES OF THE SEA_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.

PREFACE.

DOWN THE RHINE, the sixth and last volume of the first series of "YOUNG
AMERICA ABROAD," is the conclusion of the history of the Academy Squadron
on its first voyage to Europe, with the excursion of the students and
their friends into Germany, and down its most beautiful river. As in the
preceding volumes of the series, brief geographical descriptions of the
country visited are given, with a sketch of its history, and of whatever
may be peculiar or interesting in its manners and customs. The travellers
enter Germany by the way of Strasburg, and visit Freiburg, Schaffhausen,
Constance, Friedrichshafen, Ulm, Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, Darmstadt,
Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Mayence, Bingen, Bonn, Coblenz,
Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Aix-la-Chapelle; but only the most interesting
features of these places are noticed.

The story part of the volume relates mostly to a trip of the squadron
from Havre to Brest, and the cruise of the Josephine up the Mediterranean,
in which the writer has endeavored to show that even injustice is not to
be redressed by resorting to evil deeds; and he is quite sure that the
sympathies of his readers will always be with the members of the "Order
of the Faithful."

As the author has before had occasion gratefully to acknowledge, the
success of this series has far exceeded his anticipations; and in bringing
the first series to a close, he again returns his thanks to his friends,
young and old, who have so often and so earnestly encouraged him in his
agreeable labors,--all the more agreeable because they are so generously
appreciated. He intends, during the coming year, to make another trip to
Europe, for the purpose of visiting all the countries mentioned in the
titles of the second series; for he is not inclined to write about any
country until he has seen it. If no unforeseen event intervenes to defeat
his plans, the remaining volumes of YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD will soon follow.

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
October 28, 1869.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. CONFUSION IN THE SHIP. 11

II. CLOSE QUARTERS. 27

III. A GATHERING STORM. 42