Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-03
Science, Literature and Art In the
German Metropolis.

BERLIN, April, lS65.-Nothing sur
prises an American more on going into
the society of European cities than to
find the highest circles SO much more
republican and democratic than the
s'best society In America. He thinks
he has, for the first time, found sthe
real Republic of social intercourse where
intellectual culture, refined manners
and enlightened conversation. indie
pendent of every adventitious circun-
stance of wealth or titles give distinc-
ton.
Berlin is the metropolis of Germany,
and to it flock scholars, men of wealth
or pleasure, the titled and the aristo
cratic, and here you see all these classes
find their true level. The court, of
course, takes the lead. 1t is made up
of the royal family and mobility of the
country, all the diplomatic body, officers
of the-army, men especially distinguish
ed for their talents, ard sometimes a
few private persons, received
thro' friends who have the entree. 1t is
not, strictly speaking. test of private
character to see person at Court. 1t
is to another circle you must look for
this test. But you see at Court all the
pomp and majesty OF royalty, the glitter
of splendid uniforms, court suits, cover
ed with orders and decorations, all that
is costly and elegant in ladies toilets,
the waving OF pllImes and the lHstre of
flashing jewels, the very perfection of
ceremonious intercourse, of courtly sal
utations and courtly manners. You
have no conversation beyond an ex-
change of greetings, but you can look
at the most gorgeous and glittering
pageant republican has ever seen.
independent of the court is circle
of society most truly Democratic, where
you meet only those who have signifi-
canoe for intellectual superiority. In
this circle you meet Nobility of every
rank except the Royal famil y-scholars
statesmen, artists, authors and travel
ers. It is circle of society where money
or influence, unless sustained by some
intellectual distinction, cannot gain en-
trance. For this reason it is more Dem
ecratic than our Republican society,
where fortunes made in shoddy con-
tracts or oil speculations are the stand
ards, that, too often, give tone to social
intercourse.
a nobleman here must be something
more than nObleman or man of for
tune he must be educated and accom-
plished edW
European cities derive great advanta-
ges from their numerous and splendidly
endowed Universities, which afford SUI
perior facilities for every department of
instruction, and through their profess
sors, libraries, collections of art, antiqui-
ties, &C.; do much to refine the tastes
and give an elevated direction to the in
tellect of a city or state. a
The culture of two hundred and fifiy
Professors of the University exerts a
great influence on the society OF Berlin.
This Is true of the artists and authors.
Humboldt was the companion of the
King and lived In the Royal Palace in
daily intercourse with the Royal;Family.
From him they acquired taste for
Science, and were induced to do
many things for its promotion out of
their profuse resources. From these
and many other incidents, i infer that
highly intellectual and educated people
are more appreciative, and exert more in
the manners and tone of soci-
ETY. and on the direction of wealth here,
than with us. - i, s-, y ". 81
Just now, all through Germany, there
appears to be more attention paid to
the culture of art than to litera-
ture or science. Still there are some
very popular authors writing for publi-
catlon.e s,s2T5s 70 sirsa kne vf,s~ss ii- ttf-w
One of the most brilliant and popu-
lar writers of romance is Miss Fanny
Lewald. When she holds, her levees
her saloons are othronged with distin-
guished WRITER'S painters, sculptors,
nobility foreigners of dis
tinctioo whom she has met in her trav-
els, and those who are sojourning in the
Priissian Capital IS 81 u mo1l sEsala
, at the last one of theseishe celebrated
the twenty fifth anniversary of her first
Her publisher presented
her with q complete edition of her
works superbly bound in thirty volumes;
and the occasion was one of numerous
congratulations ON her success as AN
author and publisher, and popularity,
not only with her own immediate circle
of friends, but throughout Germany.
1t was one of the most brilliant ming
ling of intellectual forces / ever saw,
and, accustomed as I am, to the excited