The Portland daily press., 1865-08-18


steppes or pushtas; directly before us we look
down upon the Danube, with It's many ships,
and on the city of Pesth, with her rectilineal
streets.
On Easter Monday, the grassy slopes of the
Blocksburg offer the gay spectacle of merry
multitude In order to get there you have
either to climb up steep, narrow mountain
path. or you may choose the circuitous road,
called the Wallfahrstree, with its different
small chapels or stations where, on certain
days, the pious pilgrims offer their prayers
The preparations for the Easter festival are
very simple. Half dozen tents are pitched
wherein gingerbread, candy and different kinds
of, sweatmeats are sold. Some spectators
bring barrels of wine, or of beer; but each
family carries their own provisions with them.
The different groups scatter over the grass !;
the children enjoy their plays in the open air !;
the young people dance to the tune of an or
gan, the older ones play at cards, and frequent
ly address themselves to the wine bottle and
more substantial provisions. Thousands of
people wander about and amuse themselves,
each after their own taste, without pursuing
any particular object as the aim of their
excursion. Toward evening the different
families walk down to the wine taverns and
dancing saloons of the Raitzenstadt, where
they get rid of the rest of their purse and re-
turn home well satisfied with the holy day
spent on the Blocksburg.
The celebration of Easter Monday takes
place during the afternoon, but the Spring fes-
tival Of whitscntide Monday extends over the
whole day At the dawn ofthe morning cara
vans of people in their best Sunday dresses are
seen crossing the Suspension Bridge and pas
sing through the opposite tunnel. Whole fami-
lies leave the city heavily laden with baskets
and wallets of all sizes, wherein they carry
provisions and wine for the whole day. Every
hour brings new swarIns which climb up the
woody slopes of the Sehtcdbenberg, which at
that season of the year are richly clothde with
the fragrant blossoms of hawthorne, elders and
ilacs. $500
The woodsa are naturally laid out like park
and offer splendid views over the distant noun
tain ranges and fertile valleys; luxuriuos grass
plots invite everywhere the wanderers to rest.
Little by little multitude gather round about
in the wood and stretched out under the shad-
ow of the trees, eating, drinking, talking an d
amusing themselves at different plays. Mus ic
and songs fill the air, and every new arriving
troop is greeted with loud and general Ellen.
At noon napkins are spread over the grass,
cold dishes and wine are taken out, and all en-
joy themselves with perfect ease. Later in
the afternoon the beau monde of Pesth arrive
In their own carriages, or in hired vehicles, and
take their refreshments under the open We
randahs of the splendid hotels, regarding the
gay spectacle of the variegated groups of peo-
pie who amuse themselves with performing
the different national dances, the Mazurka,
the Polka, &c, until late hour in the evening.
Then the masses, grouped in families prepare
to leave; the young people decorate each 9TH
er with flowers and blossoming branches, and
singing and laughing, they return to the city
the whole passing off in perfect order and with
the best possible humor. sa