The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1856-02-02
BERLIN, Dec. 1855.

fce-NJSTePreSent
BERLIN, Dec. 1855.
NTessrs. Editors,-As l intimated in my
last letter, the Americans who are IN Ber-
lin most of whom are from the Northern
States. met together on Thanksgiving Day,
and celebrated it somewhat after the ap-
proved fashion of New England. True, we
had not the religious morning service, as
Is the custom there,-nOr the gathering OF
beloved home-faces round the familiar
hearth: but in this far-of land, differences
of latitude were forgotten, and we met like
a band of brothers, to revive the tender
memories of country, and Of friends beyond
the water.
The twenty-One of US here, exclusive OF
the American Minister'S family, assembled
at z o'clock, P. NJ, at pleasant cgts, where
our committee had ordered dinner, and
passed such an evening as we shall all long
remember. Our dining-roOm was adorned
with American Aags,-and what Is rarer
here, American tUrkjes graced the tables
that were iuyitingly spread with the finest
delicacies of the German cUlSRe. After two
hours devoted TO the discussion Of the crea-
ture comforts before us-with plenty OF
toasts, and wit, and wine,-pure, simple,
German wines, the Indispensable accom-
paniment of dinners here--we withdrew to
our private drawing-room. There we're
some fine pianists and singers among our
number, and beginning with yankee Doo-
de" we PLAYED and sang home-tunes, and
talked Of home-friends, till our hearts drew
closer to one another, and we felt like the
members of the same family meeting after
lonc absence. The ode for the occasion,
composed by young man from Rhode Is
land, was sung standing, with the chorus
from the genuine "Auld Lang Syne:" and
as we ioined hands in the last chorus, there
we're ewes brimming, and lips quiyering
with the touching emotions OF the occasion,
as we thought Of the "hOme's charmed CIR
Gle" where we we're then remembered by
hearts that followed us with earnest, loving
PRAYERS, in our voluntary exile to this dis
tant capital.
The whole city seems to be deyOting It.
self, at present, to the diversion OF skating,
which, as the streams are bound up for
three or four months, is an unfailing source
of winter amusement. L walked out yes
terdav. to the "Thier Garten," or public
park. which is full of artificial lakelets, and
canals several miles long; and having hired
a pair of skates from man who makes his
living at that business, followed in the wake
of the gay throug. There were old men,
and Young men, old ladies and young la
dies, girls and boys, speeding about in
every direction. Sometimes, "A gentleman
and lady hand in hand; sometimes, the two
vis-a-yis-the former going backward,
while one muff held both pairs Of hands:
sometimes, two gentlemen, and lady IN
the middle, skating in single file, and keep
inc perfect time; or again, single, splendid
looking woman gliding about more grace
fully than did ever belle IN a ballroom.
Occasionally a collision occurs. which, how
ever, passes off with abundance Of good
humOr, because unavoidable. L myself
barely escaped being run into by tall
steamboat of a woman who was "bearlng
down" on me with all sails set; and was the
most amused witness Of the encounter OF a
lady and gentleman who came together
with a rim which almost stunned them: but
they held on to each other, till the centre
of gravity was found to be within the base,
and while the gentleman's apologies were
still crowding on one another, they both
gGded away. This skating Is genuine,
manly exercise, and no rank or age disdains
to enjoy it. Even those who are not agile
enough to avail themselves Of 1t, are pushed
along in pleasant sleds by some more IA
vored kihsman. Hundreds of people can
be seen amusing themselves thus at any
time, and on Sundays, even thousands; for
the most part, they ridicule home-keep-
ng, American Sunday" and 'seek their
own pleasure.
There is probably not another city in the