Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-28
JENNA,

tains the best hotels, and all that pertains to 10y
atty The suburbs, however, are tar more beautiful
and extensive The streets are wide and clean; the
houses high and well built; and the stores arranged
with great taste and beauty. Indeed, admire the
appearance OF Vienna more than any city IN Yves
tern Europe-noS excepting even Pars-whlch
Americans generally consider the most beautiful and
charming spot ON the continent.
The first place we visited in the suburbs, was the
Belvedere Paace--built by Prince Eugene OF Sa-
vow who resided in it during the latter years of his
life. There are two buildings, termed the Upper
and Lower Belyedere. The lower Is very oiu
building now undergoing repairs The AilioraS
collection of antiquities, are in this palace-contan
ing number of antique sculptures, one oil the best
armories in Europe-besides many other curiostes
too numerous to mention. One very remarkable
curiosity in this collection, is an immense pair of
antlers in the trunk of large tree, which has
grown completely around them, so that only the
points project. The Upper Belvedere is very ex-
teusive and handsome building, situated on hill,
and commands fine view Of Vienna and its envi-
rons The interior is well furnished, and filed with
a choice collection Of paintings, embracing some by
Raphael, Vandyke, Rubens &c. Having occupied
nearly day in examining this palace, we concluded
our programme by going through the Liechtenstein
and Esterhazy Galleries The former contains about
1900 pictures, among which are valuable specimens
of almost every school of art and many Of every
first excellence. The EsterhRzy Gallery contains
the rarest collection of the Spanish school, to be
found out Of Spain--also some beautiful statuary
and engrsvings
The following day we visited the Palace Of Lux
emburg situated about eight miles from Vienna. A
beautiful avenue extends from the city to the pal
ace, making it pleasant drive in the heat of sum-
mer. This palace was the favorite summer retreat
of Maria Theresa and, although very plain and un-
attractive to one who has seen nearly ell the pala
ces Of Europe it is yet interesting account ofits
associations The grounds are very extensive. and
beautifully laid out, containing running streams,
lakes, waterfalls China, Grecian and Swiss Gotta
ges, &c On an island, in the centre Of one of the
lakes, is an old castle filed with all manner of curl
osties The first room is used for the armory-
among which is that of the Emperor Charles Y.
tried on bis helmet, which is beautifully worked
in bas-reiefs, representing the siege of Troy. The
collection of weapons taken from the Turks is al
so very curious. The second room is in the ro-
tunda style containing the statues of the various En-
perors of Austria We were then conducted through
a number Of apartments containing representa-
tons of tournaments on stamped leather, and pain
ted glass windows representing the Golden Fleece.
Connected with this old castle, is dungeon, and
place where prisoners were tried The Judges sat
in circular tower above the dungeon, and the poor
victim was drawn up on a stick tied to the end Of
rope and nothing but his head allowed to be seen,
which was drawn through small hole made for the
purpose. Here the unfortunate offender was COM
PEELED to sit on a small stick with al open dungeon
many feet below him, ..untl the cruel Judges pro-
nounced his fate Thank God, the day when such
barbarous practices were tolerated have passed
away forever, even in Austria. AS we crossed one
of the rustic bridges, guide gave whistle and
in an instant, thousand fish, of all sizes rushed to-
wards us, 10 get the bread which they are accus-
toned to receive from visitors. little farther
we were shown the place where they formerly held
their tournaments. The judges stand, and lodges
for the spectators, are also ornamented with fres-
Goes The interior is covered with loose sand, and
is used at the present day, for exhibitions to graft
fly the taste Of royalty.
From Luxembourg we drove to the pretty little
village of Baden, celebrated for its warm baths, and
great place OF holiday resort for the YenoSe
After examining the baths, we drove to the beauti-
fl valley Of Helen, near by, where we the ru-
ms of several old castles and enjoyed some of the
lovelieSt scenery in Austria. On our return, we
had an excellent dinner at one of the hotels in Ba-
. ~ =, =
flowers and the place so inviting, that we remained
until WILLIAM, our guide, informed us that we would
be late in getting into the city We passed through
the valley of Briib and the village of Aodling on
our return, which is remarkable for its enchanting
scenery, and Just before entering the city, William
pointed out the spinning Cross, about which there
is tradition of lady, who sat there until her lover
returned from the wars.
The following day we drove to The Palace Of
ScIonbragan, the Emperor's summer residence. 1t
is about Two miles from Vienna and was begun as
a hunting seat for the Emperor Matthias by Fischer,
of Erlach, and finished by Maria Theresa. The in
terror is well furnished and contains in the collec-
ton of paintings the portraits of Maria Theresa and
Maria Antoinette This palace occupied by
Napoleon in 1909, when the treaty of Schonbrunn
was signed there, and his son, the Duke Of Reich
stadtt, who died there at the age of twenty-one in
the same apartment in the left wing overlooking the
garden, and on the same bed it is said which his
father had occupied The place in the window
where Straps, the German student shot at Napo-
eon is shown, and also the grave of the rash youth
The gardens behind the palace are very extensive,
and laid out in straight walks; long avenues trim
med and clipped like hedges, to length Of so or so
feet in the French style, and ornamented with
statuarv and fountains. The G2oriette, a temple
with colorado of pillars, situated on an eminence
back of the palace, furnishes an admirable view
from its summit of Vienna and the surrounding
country. There is also a Botanic Garden and Me-
nagerie connected with the establishment Just
outside of the garden gate is the beautiful little vii
lage Of Hetzing, where the Venoise congregate on
Sundays and holidays for amusement 1t is COM
posed chiefly of villas and country houses, and in
the church yard noticed the monument of Baro-
ness Plersdorf by Canoua.
At the Casino of Dommeyer, we had an excel
lant dinnsr-in a room mapnifcently fitted I'M