Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-16

and separated from the new by broad street, and
the Glasis, which is beautifully ornamented with
shade trees, and cons titutes one ofthe most de-
| hghtful promenades about the city. L propose IN
this communication to con6ne myself exclusively
to Vienna within the walls, and leave the outside
objects for another letter
The first place of interest to the stranger is the
Cathedral of St Stephen, from the summit of which
is furnished an excellent view of the suberbs
(Which are far more extensive than the city itsel)
the windings Of the Danube the Prater and the
four battle-felds Of Napoleon, viz Lobau, Wagram;
Aspern and Essling This Cathedral is regardedb by
architects the most perfect specimen of the Gothic
order in Europe The tower is particularly beau
tfu and exquisite in its proportions, diminishing
gradually from its base to its summit in regularly
retreating arches aud butresses. Hallway up the
tower is the station of the Fire Watch for the city
Each window-sil in this apartment has provis-
ion Tor fastening telescope, whose movements are
marked by stand Oh which it is placed upon grad
usted circles placed horizontally and vertically
Registers have been constructed for each window,
SO that the telescope, having been pointed to any
object, and the corresponding, horizontal and YER
tical numbers upon the graduated scale read Off the
name of the object whether building street,
certained by reference to them. Thus the exact
spot where fire may break out is ascertained, and
the intelligence is instantly conveyed to those be-
low by enclosing ticket inscribed with the par
tculars in hollow brass ball, which is dropped
down pipe leading to the bottom Of the tower
Thence it is transmitted to the fre-ofices" The
largest bell in the tower was made of one hundred
and thirty pieces of cannon taken from the Turks
after their repulse from the walls. 1t weighs $50
cwt The roof is very steep, and covered with
colored tiles, forming colossal mosaic of the Aus
TRAN Eagle. The interior presents many beautiful
specimens of Gothic architecture, but looks dusly
and gloomy. At the time we made our visit, a
great number of people from the country occupied
the seats (most of them asleep waiting to be con-
frmed. They entered the city in professions, with
man in front of each body bearing large cross
with figure of our Saviour nailed upon it, and
blood tricklng from the wounds to represent his
sulferings
From the Cathedral we went to the Capuchin
Church, remarkable only for containing the burial
Vault of the Imperial family. 1t is shown by torch
light, under the guidance of Capuchn BROTHER
I counted about seventy metal collins, some of
which are very magnificent Those of Maria
Theresa, her husband Francis and her son, Joseph
H. are the finest Those placed there recently are
perfectly plain.
The church of the Augustines was next in order.
The chief ornament of this church is the beautiful
monument of the Archduchess Christina of SAKE
Teschen by Canova one ofhis most successful works
In the TodtenKapeTe, on one side of the aisle, are
the tombs Of the Emperor Leopold IL; of the great
Austrian General Daun, erected by Maria Theresa
and of Van Suietens, her physician, the person to
whom Austria is indebted for the present system of
universal education. In the Laretto Chapel We saw
through glass in the iron door the hearts of the
Imperial family, preserved in silver urns
From this gloomy vault we repaired to the abode
of the living, where all the mirth, pomp and parade
ofpoor frail humanity finds willing votaries. The
Imperial Royal Palace is an ancient building of
various dates and irregular structure and is not i'm
posing from its architecture, but considerable ex-
tent 1t consists of three courts, quadrangIes.-
The Oldest part dates from the year 1910. In front
of the palace is large lawn, and extensive gardens
In the court called Josephplatz formed by the new
part of the palace is a large and well executed
equestrian statue of the Emperor Joseph II. 1t
was erected to his memory by the late Emperor
Francis, and is creditable performance of the
sculptor Zauner. In an adjoining court called
Franzenplatz there is a colossal bronze statue of
the Emperor Francis, erected by his son. The ex-
preston of the venerable sovereign in the act of
blessing his people with the motto "Auorum
neum populiS ueiS is fine, but the drapery is clum
sy and the limbs are awkward 1t is the work of
Marchesi of Milan. In the buildings connected
with the palace are to be seen the most valuable
cabinets of Vienna, briefnotice of which may not
be uninteresting.
The Cabinet of Antiquities contains very extern
sive collection of valuable curiosites, among which
are several canoes Of great size. One "The Ape-
tleosis of Augustus, an onyx 81 inches in diam
eter. 1t is considered one of the finest in the world
and cost u, 600 ducats. Others of Alexander the
Great Rozana and the head of Tberius are also re-
markable Here also is Agate dish 2S1 inches
in diameter, which is so valuable to have formed
part of the dowery of Mary Of Burgundy wife of
the Emperor Macmillan. Another very curious
thing is the celebrated Sail Cellar made for Francis
lst by Benvenuto Celni. Twelve thousand Greek
vases, and one hundred and thirty-four thousand
ancient coins and medals add to the value Of this
collection.
The Cabinet of minerals surpasses in many de-
partments, every other cabnetn Europe, and is well
arranged Amongst the objects that attracted my
attention particularly was a precious opal, the
largest known, from Czerwenitza near Kaschau,
weight II OF. Choice specimens of chrysolite,
from Greenland; wavellite from Brazil Syrian ar
ragonite, and other rare minerals; also, fine col
lection of diamond crystals, some splendid specl-
mems Of emerald, and the most extensive and CON-
plete assem- blage existing of arolites, or stones
which have fallen from the sky in different parts of
the world. One of the largest, mass seventy-one |
lbs in weight fell E5l, Agram. Near it 1 |
observed much to my surprise, pieces from David |
son and Cooke counties, Tennessee besides various
specimens of coal and other valuable minerals from
our State contributed by my old Professor Gerard |
Troost late of the Nashville University. We have
a larger showing in this cabinet than any of our
sister States, and if our citizens would only turn
their attention to the exhaustless wealth of our
mountains. Tennessee in few years would be |
more desirable than the gold regions of the new
FL Dorado on the shores of the Pacific In this
collection NAV be mentioned the large boquet of |