Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-08
From Braces "Home Life in Germany
Interesting Passages.

From Braces "Hone Life in Germany"
Interesting Passages.
- Tn colloquial language, nothing will SO utterly
surprise the stranper-yes, shock him-as the u
Universal profanity among the ladies. In the bes
circles of Germany, have heard more oaths II
one evening, than would in the same time from
ships crew. ".4ch Gott! .Mein Gott aneir
Gotti Jesus Ch,1stus % rung over and over at the
veriest trifes.
i have asked an English groom the way in the
stree is of London, and been told in answer "How
the h-ll should know" An American work
man would tell YOU very clearly-but in fever
of impatence at being stopped. A German stands
says to you with half bow, "Be good enough
to take the second street," ETC., and touches his
hat as he goes, which is, perhaps, little toe
much of virtue. and yet is very pleasant thing
Not far behind is simple, neat carriage, look
ing something like one of our large buggies, but
with two perfectly trained, powerful horses
There are two footmen in white hveres behind.
and in front sits young man driving. He is
dressed in the usual costume of an Austrian ocer,
white coat and small green cap. His face has
thin and worn look, and gives you an impression
of person of no great strength Of character. lie
chats easily with friend at his side, and occa-
sionally with a gentleman who rides near by
He holds the rens well, and seems an accomplish
ed ''whip,"- land that is all you would ever no
tce in him. Yet that man is, perhaps, the most
important parsonage of these times; the absolute
monarch of the Austrian Empre-the Conqueror
of Hungary and of Italy-the Leader of Germany
and the great and almost only "Defender OF the
Roman Catholic Faith" On his will, depend
perhaps the liberties of Germany, the continuance
of Hungary as nation, and the safety, if not the
existence, of Professionalism in the empire. do
you notice the gentleman who reins up near him,
so easily and steadily "a fiery horse; man OF
sharp features and keen eye, with full whiskers,
looking much like one of our New York 'Jast
men 2" This is Count G,1nre, the chief favour
ite, the initiator of the young Emperor into the
mysteries of dissipation, and the great authority
on all matters of the chase or the table. He has
acquired, it is said, boundless influence over the
Young mans mind and through him, the whole
thoug hts and attention of the Emperor are given
up to horses, and dogs, and soldiers uniforms, and
all manner CT trfles.
= The ice for mile beyond is covered with
labyrinth of fwhrling, gayly- dressed groups; there
man cutting the most artistic and mysterious
figures of the science; there two ladies skating OFT
gracefully together; here lady and gentleman
hand in hand, or a whole line together, moving
across, and again through them all, rushing on at
most alarming speed, the sled chairs with ladies',
pushed on by servants or friends-all moving and
whirling and dashing around among one another,
and vet no one injured or getting fall. Then
on the bank, other groups again-men renting
skates. women with coffee tables and cakes, boys
with fresh flowers from the conservatores, and
crowds of hacks and private carriages waiting to
take the skaters and scattered about through them
ALL that omnpresent and most inqulstlve lndlvld-
ual-the Berlin policeman-grand in helmet blue
coat and sword. Add TO all this, to complete the
scene, a clear winters air; the rich light OF the
sun, far sunk in the SOUTH falling over the groups,
and just tinging with rose-color the white columns
of smoke and for back ground, the delicate ira
cery and dark masses of the old trees against the
cold gray eastern sky. There must be nearly
thousand people out, some days, from all classes,
Young and old, ladies and gentlemen, and the Ia
dies in their prettest dresses, much as If fora fash
ionabe promenade. | have never seen more
graceful exercise for women, and the most here
were well accomplished in the science. 1t has
only been tried among the ladies of Berlin for a
few wears, since one of the Princesses set the
fashion, though now it is quite the mode. The
most surprising thing to an American was the num-
Der of elderly men joining in the sport-men of
station-the professor and students together, the
WORKOUT business man coming out to have one OF
the free sports of his youth over again. know
of nothing, in the habits of foreign nations, which
struck me, at first, as entirely new, as this love
for t-door sports. In England, did not pass
through village, without finding the green crick-
et-ground; and, be it remembered, not with boys
at play on it, but men-men often of rank and
character. Later in the season, were the boat
races, where the whole population gathered gen.
temen of the highest rank presiding, and the no
bleman and student tugging at the oar, as eagerly
as the mechanic or waterman.