Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-01
MrSICH. =

lance of one hundred and twenty-six miles The
current of the Danube is probably the strongest in
the world, and it requires very powerful ma.hinery
topropel boat and considerable skill to navigate 1t
The steamers are constructed alter
the fashion of the old North river boats, and are |
quite comfortable in fair weather, but exceedingly
unpleasant at night and in foul weather.
For the first fifty miles we found the scenery !
rather monotonous the banks being low, and the |
river filed with small islands and sand-bars. The
appearance changed above this, and PERCEPTIONS
bluffs rise high out OF the water crowned by an old
castle or convent resembling in many respects that
part of the Rhine between Cologne and Mayence
The most striking object that came under our notice
during the day, was the Beuedictine Convent OF
Gottwrik, an immense quodrangular building, stu
sed on the summit of hill, 700 feet high, and pre-
senting peculiarly fine appearance from the river,
founded 1872 The castle Of Dunenstein, where IN
1925 RIRCHARD CGrR De LEON was imprisoned
for fifteen months by LEOPOLD, OF Austria The
castle of Aggsten, an old feudai ruin perched on
lofty conical rock The Convent of Molk another
Benedictine Monastery, founded A. D. 1907. Its
said that during Napoleons wars in lS0S-9 the Gel
lars of this convent supplied his army for several
DAYS in succession with $4,000 gallons of wine per
day
We reached Linz the morning after our depart
ure from Vienna, took breakfast at the Arch Duke
Charles, and engaged seats in the Diligence, Tor
Eilwagen as the Germans call it for this city
Having several hours OF leisure before starting we
strolled to the summit of lofty hill just above the
city, which furnishes an excellent view Of the ro-
mantle scenery of that neghborhood. Linz is
well situated and contains about 10000 inhabitants
The Diligence road runs for some distance along the
right bank of the Danube, and then passes through
Loinbach situated on the river Inn. Here we
dined, changed Dhigences and had our luggage
examined at the Barvarian custom-house. The
country from Linz to Loinbach is very pretty, mod
erately unduating and highly cultivate J. Riding
all night in Diligence found to be no Joke, for
the next morning we were completely worn out,
dull and hungry, so much so, that we stopped at
Beer-house and ordered a breakfast Speaking OF
Beer houses, reminds me to mention that Bavaria
is essentially the land of beer. 1t is as much the
staff of life here as bread in our country. Take
their beer from them and they are done. Baya-
rian it is said will drink from 10 to II measures per
dav, each holding more than quart. There areln
the kingdom upwards Of 5000 establishments for
brewing. and about 100 millions Of gallons made
annually. The Bavarans are peculiar people, not
only in the quantity of beer they drink, but their
manner OF living and dressing, particularly among
the peasantry. The men and women wear high
green bats shaped somewhat Ike cone, with
feather stuck in one side The men usually have
high. topped boots, into which they dispose OF a
part of their corduroy pants, and wear ronnd-a-
bout of the same material, ornamented with large
fiat metal buttons, placed in straight rows. The
women wear short petticoats, finished off at the
bottom, with a broad red or yellow binding which
contrasts strikingly with their long black stockings
and high shoes.
Munich is built on the banks Of the lsar, IN the
midst of plain neither fertile nor picturesque and
in a situation entirely destitute Of natural advanta-
ges Previous to the present century 1t was
place of little consequence, but by the foster
ing care of her rulers its population has nearly
doubled itself, and the number Of fine buildings
which have risen up on all sides within that period,
have scarcely parallel in another European capital.
But ike many other towns created by political
views, royal whim or ll,udged speculation, it does
not fill the wide area Of its proposed site The
space over which the houses are scattered is so thin
" peopsl, that you can almost count every person
in the streets. 1t owes its present prominent posi-
tion the seat Of the fine arts, mainly to the late
monarch Lewes, who spared neither pains nor ex
pcnse in the accumulation Of treasures to adorn s
capital The Royal Palace may be divided into two
Ia1 -Ia b,,il1iugs The old
building, though vast in extent, and very fine in its
day, has but little interest you unless 1t Is the
Rich Chapel, dedicated by the Elector Macmillan
to the Virgin, and SO called from the expenditure,
ofprecous metals and stones upon it its ceiling be-
ing of lapis-lazuli, its floor Of marble and verde
antique its walls of Florentine mosaic and the al
TAR with all its appurtenauces, as well as the pipes
Of the organ Of solid silver There is also Treas
uTy in the old palace, containing the Regalla and
ROYAL Jewels among them the Palatinate Pearl
half white half black, and great variety of expen-
sive trinkets, magnificent blue diamond set IN the
order of the Golden Fleece, several pink diamonds
many fine single stones, emeralds ard sapphres OF
great size and value the complete toilette of Amalia
in enamel and another of the Empress Josepha IN
llpis-lazuli also, the crowns Of the present King
and Queen, of Henry I'd, and the Emperor Charles
1st
The new Palace is massive structure, built IN
imitation Of the Pitt Palace at Florence and fitted
up in a style now prevalent in Germany, which is
revival of the ornaments of the Logge OF the Vat
lea II. and the still more ancient houses Of Pompeii
The ballroom is very large, surrounded by gale
ry. and ornamented with fine statuary. The floor
is made Of different colored wood, cut into small
blocks The hall of Beauties and the Throne-room
are also very superb. The palace contains many
rare and beautiful pictures and fronting it IS the
Hofgarten and English garden, where the citizens |
drive, promenade and listen in the summer after
moons to the sweet strains Of music.
Some of the churches of Munich are really SUI
perb, but have described many edlhces Of this |
description in my previous letters that will mere
" mention those that are considered the first
Near the centre of the city one OF the squares,
stands the lofty towers of the cathedral (Frduen-
kircie) built entirely of brick, and very much like
the first Presbyterian church in Nashville, in its
general appearance. The style is heavy, and quite
dest tute Of ornament St Michaels, or the Je-