The next town was Hoogstrass, a post station, fifteen miles from
Xanten, of which we saw little more than the inn, the other part of
this small place being out of the road. A large house, which might
have been easily made convenient, and was really not without plenty,
confirmed our notion, that, at the post stages, there would always
be some accommodation. We dined here, and were well attended. The
landlord, a young man who had served in the army of the country,
and appeared by his dress to have gained some promotion, was very
industrious in the house, during this interval of his other employments.
The next stage was of eighteen miles, which make a German post and an
half; and, during this space, we passed by only one town, Ordingen,
or Urdingen, the greatest part of which spread between the road and the
Rhine.
Towards evening, the country became more woody, and the slender
spires of convents frequently appeared, sheltered in their groves and
surrounded by corn lands of their own domain. One of these, nearer
to the road, was a noble mansion, and, with its courts, offices and
gardens, spread over a considerable space. A summer-house, built over
the garden wall, had no windows towards the road, but there were
several small apertures, which looked upon it and beyond to a large
tract of inclosed wood, the property of the convent.