Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-16
GERMANY.

The following interesting passages
taken from an article in the last Lon
don Quarterly Review, upon " Tour
in Germany" Sc. an engaging little
work, recently published in England (;
Weimar, the capital Of the Grand
Duchy of that name, is the Athens OF
Germany, encouraged by the Grand
Duke, the most popular Of sovercigns,
yvieland, Schiller, Gothic, and Herder,
resorted to his court, (the first indeed,
had the charge of his education) and
by their united genius have spread a
lustre over this little territory, not ex-
ceeding two hundred thousand souls
in its population, which nothing but
its literature could have impaired to it.
Of these intellectual potentates, Gothic
alone survive-now, through years and
infirmities, Withdrawn from world
with which he, heretofore, delighted to
mix. Yet, not long ago, when con-
cert was given at Court, in honor OF a
birth day, the aged poet found his way
thither, late in the evening, and on his
entrance, the music ceased, court and
princes were forsaken, and the Grand
Duke himself advanced to lead up his
grcy-headed friend.
Amongst the ladies Of Weimar, as
also of Saxony, there is simplicity,
which is quite delightful; knitting and
needle-work know no interruption at
home or abroad, and female going TO
a rout might forget her fan, but would,
assuredly, remember her work-bag.-
At Dresden, even the Theatre is not
protected from the kneedle and knitting
pin, and our author has seen lady
graveIy lay down her work, wipe away
the tears which the sorrows of Thekla
had brought into her eyes, and imme-
diately proceed with her stocking foot.
1t was, however, to be expected, that in
town which prides itself upon its
learning, the softer sex would not al
ways be free from pedantry, and, &C
cordingly, after clubs of Blues have
been formed to drink tea, and stalk "a
bout Shakespeare, taste, and musical
glasses"
The popularity of the reigning FAM
lily was insured by its humane and ge-
nervous efforts to relieve the wretched-
ness entailed on the country by the war
which closed with the battle Of Lcipsic
every source Of courtly expense was
cut off, for the purpose of administer
ing to the wants of the houseless and
fatherless peasantry, whose old village
stories of switches on the Hartz, and
legends of Number-Nip from the
mountains Of Silesia," had given place
to tales of individual mifortunes, Of de-
ISOLATION and of blood--and, however it
may be credited, this sympathy has
bound the people to the rulers far more
closely than the representative govern
ment which the Grand Duke has since
bestowed on them, and on which they
are unenlightened enough to set ludi-
crously little value.
When the first election took place
under the new Constitution, considera-
BILE difficulty was experienced in bring
ing up the electors, particularly the
peasantry, TO vote. In defiance Of the
disquisitions Of the liberal professors OF
Jena, they could not see the use of all
this machinery: Do we not pay the
Grand Duke for governing us, they
said,ss attending to the public business?
why then give us all this trouble be-
sides?"
Nay, after the experience of repre-
sentative body has been tried during Sc
ven years, may still assert that matters
went on quite as well, & more cheaply,
without them. Neither can the Grand
Duke, with all his influence, persuade
the members to debate with open doors,
SO fearful were some of the rustic Sena-
tors of public ridicule; nor would they
permit even an abstract Of their jour
nails to be printed, except on condition
that the names Of the speakers should
not appear. Half guinea day is the
allowance at Weimar to each member
during the session; and the representa-
tive of county may be seen trudglng
to "the house" with a crust in his poe
ket, and returning home with his wa
ges in his fob. Out of doors few per-
sons care one farthing what the one
and-thirty statesmen are doing within;
and except that oracular word may now
and then escape from Senator at
table de- hote, or that couple of old
gentlemen may gossip over state ques-
ton as they lounge through the park,
it is in vain to seek for symptoms that
the great council of the nation is as
sembIed at VVeimar. An opera, ro-
nance, or sledgc party, is subject
of tenfold more interest; and politics
are as yet, the last thing thought about.
Doubtless taste for them will, be Gre
ated by degrees, and it is best that it
should: when it comes to the birth an
adult, it is too apt to start forth like
Minerva from her fathers head, in
arms.