(_For the Mirror_.)
One of the greatest curiosities in the neighbourhood of Dresden is the
Great Tun, erected at Fort Konigstein by General Kyaw, the height of
which is 17 Dresden ells, and its diameter at the bung 12 ells. This
vast vessel, which is always replenished with excellent wine, is capable
of containing 3,709 hogsheads; and on its head is a plate with a Latin
inscription, to the following purport:--
"Welcome, traveller, and admire this monument, dedicated to festivity,
in order to exhilarate the mind with a glass, in the year 1725, by
Frederick Augustus, king of Poland and elector of Saxony, the father of
his country, the Titus of the age, the delight of mankind. Therefore,
drink to the health of the sovereign, the country, the electoral family,
and Baron Kyaw, governor of Konigstein; and if thou art able, according
to the dignity of this cask, the most capacious of all casks, drink to
the prosperity of the whole universe--and so farewell."