The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-22
Our Heidelberg Correspondence.


Celebration of the "Glorious Fourth" in Heidel-
berg-A Yankee Excursion on the Neckar
Incidents Of the Day. Var Ne,cs and Ru.
naors-Louis Napoleon's Htentions-The Co.
ueted Rhenish Prooinces-The Failure of
Italy, dc.
Yesterday was proud day for the Americans in
Heidelberg. Perhaps never before in all Europe,
certainly never in Germany, was the Glorious
Fourth" celebrated with more success or greater
eclat than it was yesterday by our countrymen in
this city and the invited Americans from Frankfort
Although the entire number present was not more
than sixty, of whom little third were ladies',
the affair was on a scale indicative of much more
numerous company; every one felt himself host,
and what we lacked in numbers was amply made up
in pleasantness and comfort One of the little
steamers which regularly ply on the Neckar was
chartered for the occasion, appropriately decorated
with evergreens, the Wurtemberg, Baden, Bava-
rian and Hessian flags and the stars and stripes-no
less than four Of the latter being let loose to the
breeze from masthead and standard poles. Thus in
readiness, at two o'clock P. M. the bell rang, the
whistle screeched, and away started the boat, with
as patriotic load as ever before was borne upon
the green waters of the romantic and "winding
Neckar" for Neckar.Steinach, one Of the prettiest
and most picturesquey situated little villages any
where to be seen, where we were to partake of our
dinner, an excellent band in the meantime enliven
ing our sail with yankee DOODLE" "Hai Column
bia' and other music of their own selection these
two tunes being learned expressly for the day.
Our captain, who, by the way, also was an Ameri
can, having been ten years or more in our country
first ran the boat up and down in front of the city
once or twice, in order, as he said, "to show the
people what we be-" and then pointed her for our
destination. 1t may not be uninteresting to state
that while passing to and fro before the city seve
raj Of the Swiss students waved their national flag,
the only republican one in Europe, to us from
housetop, and that waving handkerchefs saluted us
from windows and balconies either side, leaving
no doubt upon my mind that the rays Of our west
ern star were not reflected eastward entirely in
vain, though so quietly. Helvetia received three
hearty cheers from our company, and we passed
along. After two hours sailing between the castle
studded banks of this most charming little river,
we went ashore and found our dinner about pre-
pared. At table we listened to the asking of Divine
blessing by the Rev. DR.. May of Syracuse, N. Y,
capital address by our chairman, DR.. Faber, Of
Charleston, G., the reading of the Declaration Of
independence, happy responses to the toasts, and
one or two humorous poems, agreeably inter
spersed by the popping OF champagne bottles and
patriotic and inspriting strains by the band. Soon
after eight we left the dining hall for the boat
again, and foated down the stream by the delight
ful twilight, which in this latitude at this season
lasts till halfpast nine or ten o'clock. few fire.
works as we came near the city and under the no
Bile "old castle" concluded our boat ride, but not
the pleasures Of the day-the merriest were yet to
come. From the boat most of the "young folks"
repaired to the pleasant parlors of lady from
Brooklyn, n: Y, who, with her wonted politeness
and hospitality, threw open her doors, that those
Iond OF 1t might pleasantly beguile few hours in
and regale themselves on ices, fruits and all their
agreeable .adjuncts, which were served up to as
Joyous and merry company as often meets to
"Trip the heel and toe" even in the dancing climes
~ not attempt to answer for the headaches of TO.