Queen Elizabeth spent nine weeks at the Segenhaus, where her native air restored her youthful freshness and activity, and she could give herself up entirely to the happiness of being again surrounded by her nearest relations. These were, according to her expression, days that had wings and were without a cloud. During her presence the little castle on the heights of the Westerwald became a second Belriguardo. One imagined oneself transported back to the time of the Medicis. Here distinguished relations, artists and learned men, went in and out, and often remained for days and weeks at Monrepos and Segenhaus. Alexandri, the Roumanian poet, brought his new drama to read and discuss with the Queen. Hallström, the Swedish composer, wished to lay before her Majesty that part of the opera “Neaga” which he had finished composing. The artist, Augustus Becker, came from Düsseldorf with his Roumanian sketches, after which he was going to paint a large picture by the King’s order. Karl Cauer, from Kreuznach, had made a bust of the Queen, and wished to compare it with the original. In the studio at Monrepos, Prince William and the Dutch artist, Bisschop, were painting a portrait of the Queen. On his way back to Oxford, Professor Max Müller remained at the Segenhaus for some days. Intercourse with this man of deep thought and learning elevates one into the refined and intellectual atmosphere in which he lives and thinks. The Musical Festival of the Rhenish Provinces was to be held at Cologne during this year. The Queen wished to be present at it. Since that important day in which she and Prince Charles of Roumania had been betrothed, she had not again seen the beautiful town on the Rhine. Now the great creations of sound resounded in her ears, and the recollections of past days were mightily awakened. The words of the following song are so fresh, that it is as if, after sixteen years of married life, bridal affection were still new to her heart. “This is Apollo’s feast day, But Eros strikes the lyre; Though harmony must rule the hour, Let Love my lay inspire. For I, Apollo’s pilgrim, To Love must turn aside; The flowing melodies recall The bridegroom and the bride. When, Köln, thy walls embrace me, To thee my thoughts incline; Fain would I kneel and worship As in some holy shrine. I see thee clad in splendour, And music fills thy halls; But a maiden tremor frights me, And the thought of my troth recalls. O Köln, the free and lovely, Where summer zephyrs play, Was it the spell of thy music That drove me so far away? O Köln, the Rhine’s fair city, My life is entwined in thee! I came to list to thy minstrels, And thou broughtest my King to me!”