The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-05-14
BERLIN
rus KING PALACE

't'NAANso F"NilN uWAntitNN Out tVtlHot Nuiillte
the taste which has so crammed them TO.
gether Clustered in a small space as they
are, they fail to produce that deep irnpres.
sion on a stranger, seeing them for the first
time, which they deserve to do, as his attcn.
ton Is too much divided among all, properly
to appreciate the beauties Of each. And
when he has become famiiarised with them
and finds there are no more 10 be seen. the
remainder OF the city appears tame and un.
interesting, in comparison. There are but
few public squares, and these arc nearly
wholly destitute Of interest Wilhelm's
Platz, in addition TO the grass. aud 4 few
trees and flowers of the other squares, is
adorned by six statues OF heroes of the seven
| years war Tie palace Of one ofthe kings
brothers fronts this square, but is a very or.
dinary building, in its outward appearance.
| The palace of the king is fine old pile,
without any striking architectural orna-
ments, but borrowing interest from its ven
erable appearance. 1t is vast building of
brick, plastered II encloses two large open
courts, and has on three sides unostentatious
entrances, supported by Corihthian columns.
The fourth entrance is projecting portico,
having columns of the same order, richly
adorned with statues and carving; it is
surmouiited by the vast DOME of the chapel
of the palace, and presents a very imposing
appearance. Time has blackehed the walls
of this royal palace and the plaster having
fallen of iii many places, rather increases
than detracts from its interest, as it adds the
appearance ofage The interior is adorned
with some very stiff pictures of the royal
family and is not especially remarkable till
we come to the rooms of state used by the
present king. In them there is degree Of
comfort and magnidcence combined that !
have not seen displayed in the palaces either
Of England or France. The throne-room is
a blaze of crimson and gold. The iacings
of the doorways are of black marble, while
the doors themselves, richly carved, are all
of massive gilt carving which richly con-
trasts with tile crimson velvet OF the curtains,
chairs and sofas. The walls are hung with
scarlet damask satin, with the black eagle OF
Prussia worked upon it; and the ceiling is
a blaze of gliding and painting, with exquis.
ite sculptured designs, in white plaster, at
each corner. An orchestra of solid silver,
beautifully adorned with carved figures, or.
naments one side of the room while the mas.
sive sideboard, loaded with the royal plate
stands on the other Here are arranged
huge urns for beer and tea, with immense
silver drinking-cups all ofsilver brightly gilt
and against mirror which stands against
the wall. are piled in pyramldal form, heavy
dishes, plates, and other articles of silver for
the table, all most elaborately carved and
gilded. Against the two other walls are
very large mirrors, in beautiful frames of
Of solid silver, and beneath them stand side.
tables also of silver, upon each of which is
placed an exquisitely-wrought present, in
silver, to the king by brother sovereigns In
the construction of the room nothing less
precious than marble seems to be used the
doors, the window-facings, the panneing of
the walls, and the furniture itself, all seemed
of solid gold, glitterbg fresh from tile hands
of the workmen. Then the velvet curtains,
with their broad fringe of gold lace, chairs
and sofas, all looked as ifthey had been placed
here but yesterday and the plate, dazlingy
bright, gave an appearance of freshness to
this magnifcence which is not always seen
in palaces. The room, too, was In size more
Of habitable apartment than the vast barns
of marble and gilt which ordinarily fill the
dwellings of kings. In the lower suit Of
rooms, where the hangings were faded and
the gidiugs were tarnished there was
nothing very remarkable, except the spen-
did chandeliers which hang in several OF
the apartments, and the beautiful specir. ems
Of mosaic in wood which are displayed in
the floors One chandelier is hung entirely
with immense pendants of rock crystal, and
the ball OF the same glittering stone, which
hangs from the ceritre, was too large for any
Of our bats, and is said to have cost Freder.
ick the Great twenty thousand dollars
The floors, over which we had TO slide in
great wooden overshoes, like Siberian sleds
present beautiful arrangements of flowers
birds and ether designs, all in mosaic, and
brightly polished, The plumage of the
BIRDS and the delicate tints of Tie flowers
were all here exquisitely represented by diff.
ferent kinds OF fine wood artful.y put togeth
er This novel species of mosaic delighted
and surprised me in no small degree. TIC
this suit of apartments which were occupi
ed formerly by the royal family, an addition
al interest is givehby Napoleon's using them
after the capital Of Prussia fell into his hands
; In the attic Of this palace is historical,
museum Of very considerable interest. The
first room contains curious carvings in WOOD
and ivory. Another with all sorts of ole
relics. among which is the drinking cup o
) Luther. lofty vessel offigured pottery will
| pewter lid which from its dimension
would produce the impression that the grea
, reformer was pretty fair drinker as wei
as writer. In the most interesting apart
ment is wax figure of the Great Frederic
in the uniform and cocked-hat he wore Of
the day OF his death. The coat oflight-blu
cloth with red cuffs and collar, bears tn
evident marks Of having seen some service
the black velvet breeches are not so thread
bare, but the high leather boots have abou
: thau avidonepG of Oreaf autioftitv u ~