Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-31
For The Journal
A DAY At WEISBADEN.

had ticket to Frankfort, but upon in
curing of a fellow passenger, German, who
had resided some years in Wisconsin, learn
ed that / could stop over at Heidelberg until
evening"; though the conductor insisted that
could not ! expected to find at the Universi-
tv Young gentleman of my acquaintance,
but was disappointed in this as he was at
Bonn. Meeting in the street an intelligent
looking gentleman, l inquired in very poor
German the way to the Castle, and he gave
me directions in very good English to the very
great amusement of both of us. Climbing the
precipitous hill above the town, on which this
relic of another age and different civilization
stands overlooking the river Neckara and all APP
proaches to the town, for frame was admit
ted within its historic portals. Others, French,
English and Americans were waiting to be
shown over it, A young lady talking fuently
French and English as well as German, con-
Quoted us to every part explaining its use and
history and the various conflicts of which this
structure had been the theatre; not mechanl-
cally, like most guides, but with a thorough
comprehension of the subject and an apt and
pleasing manner and method Of communica-
ton, to say nothing of other charms. Its bat
tered and broken walls where the French ar
tillery had played upon the besiegcd, would
be more interesting to an American if our OWL
country had not so far outdone Europe in the
art and magnitude of war. In one room, i'll
good state Of preservation is cask OF capaci-
ty to hold three hundred thousand bottles of
wine, filled in times of war to make light the
heart and strong the arms of the inmates of
the Castle.
| To see how learning hourished, visited the
University so celebrated, and of which had
heard so much, and was somewhat surprised
to find so unpretending structure and unin-
terestng surroundings, situated upon one OF
the meaner business streets; passed and re-
passed it unnoticed, it hardly being distinguish
able from the surrounding shops.
Having some hours to spare l went to my
hotel, and while enjoying my chop and ale.
alone, gentleman and lady came in and took
seat near me. | at once they were
Scotch, and falling into conversation we soon
|
as myself to hear English again. He was a
merchant from Dundee and personally ac-
quainted with most of our extensive oil-cloth
manufacturers, which afforded topics of com
mon interest to us. They had come down from
Frankfort to spend a day in visiting the Castle
and town, and were, like myself, bound down
the Rhine, after radiating some weeks from
Frankfort Tastes differ, but this day at
Heidelberg was my pleasantest abroad. 1t is
to my thinking the best representative of
European civilization past and present to be
found, and is fragrant with history. My friends
had not been to Weisbaden and asked me to
accompany them. They had friends who joined
u.s. on our arrival in our drives The Greek
chapel, upon an eminence overlooking the
town, built by one of the rulers of Nassau in
memory of his wife, is perfect gem of art and
architecture and well rcpays visit. But the
great attractions are the hot springs, highly
medicinal in their nature, and the Kearsal, its
promenades, rooms, music, roulette and rouge
ct noir. In one of the public streets, a nymph,
sitting by pump, dspenses this health giving
beverage fresh and warm from the regions
below to all corners. expecting something but
asking nothing for the blessing. Wonderful
stories are told of its curative effects, and
invalids from all quarters Of the globe take
lodgings here to test its virtues and their truth.
1t has whitish appearance, is more than
blood warm, has one medicinal characteristic at
least,-it requires courage to swallow it.
But the green cloth with its surroundings and
the millions that change hands yearly, attract
more than the fine scenery apd healing waters
of Weisbaden but of this again.
G..