Aachen, or Aix-la-Chapelle, a ken, or aks-la-sha-pel, a town of Prussia, an hour's ride by rail to the westward of Cologne. Aachen is the German, Aix-la-Chapelle the French name. Both Aachen and Aix mean the waters, or fountains. The latter name is best known in history; the former is the present official or post-office name. Aachen is an ancient city. In the days of the Roman Empire it was a military camp in the vicinity of mineral springs, even then held in repute. It was a favorite residence of Charlemagne, who died and was buried here in 814. It was the northern capital of the medieval German Empire. Many emperors were crowned here. Diets were held and treaties of peace were concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle. Of the old buildings only a few remain, notably a cathedral erected in part by Charlemagne. The central part of this cathedral is eight-sided. The dome is supported by massive marble pillars brought from an old palace in Ravenna. In the central aisle hangs a fine bronze chandelier, presented by Frederick Barbarossa in 1165. Bronze doors cast in 804, pillars, arches, a high pulpit, stained glass, a copper reading desk, the tomb of Otho III, the sarcophagus or stone coffin of Charlemagne, his hunting horn, and many other interesting objects may be seen. The regalia of the German emperors were kept here until 1795, when they were transferred to Vienna. A modern city of 144,000 people, with attractive streets, shops, large hotels and buildings, has grown up. The springs are impregnated with sulphur. They are still patronized by a fashionable concourse of 8,000 patients a year, who come to drink the water and to bathe in it for their health. The walls of the ancient city have been razed to make room for modern promenades. See CHARLEMAGNE; VIENNA.