Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-12-30

remberg M4PM II was built in the 10th
century and is charming on account Of i,s age
aud from lis being ~ well preserved. Until
1906 II was free city, rich and independent
strong In lis fortincations with many beapti.
ful churches and private residences The wall
by which Il IL surrounded Is still complete,
though Of the s65 towers reported In IL, only
75 still remain, four Of which, standing a,
the four corners, nre larger. One Of them is
in the Castle, situated on hill commanding
fine view Of the surrounding country, aud
looks down protectngly on the closely built,
red tile rooted city at its base. This Is the An
est representative Of the past ages In Germa-
myths old city. Such queer, narrow, crook
cd highways, paved all over with cobble-
stones, SO that there is no distinction between
sidewalks aud carriage way, lined with tall,
seven story houses, sometimes higher, with
five of the stories above the caves of the high
peaked roofs, aud generally the facades cover
ed with orDamcntation, and with numerous
oriel windows in the first story, some being
very rich and beautiful, all of which surpass
my previous mental pictures Of what such a
place could be.
After nice dinner upon our arrival at the
Bavarian hotel, we took our own best friend
the guide buok-snd studied up our plan for
the following day refreshing nights rest
and we were ready, after the late European
breakfast next morning, for explorations. We
directed our steps first TO the great Market
place, in which stands a beautiful fountain
with bronze figures of old heroes and the
Apostles also another with choice little
bronze Goose Man, with the water squirting
from the mouths of the two geese, one under
each arm. Into u beautiful little church at
one side of this square we went, and walked
around to look at some old altar pieces (paint-
ings), and picture carved in wood Ly one of
Nuremburg's famous artists, Kraft, while the
small assembly of old men and market women
continued their worship. At the end of the
chancel over the altar, is fine picture, the
best specimen of painting al the end of the
14th century, when this church was complet.
ed We were fortunate enough To witness,
while there. II Catholic marriage ceremony, u
plain wedding-the bridegroom barber or
baker. The bride was dressed in black silk,
gauzc veil and the inevitable wreath of white
and green. After leaving this place, a few
steps brought us to the "Rath llaus" or City
Hall, a long oblong building erected-the old
est part tho 10Th century. There was the
old banqueting hall, adorned by lrescoes from
Durcr. The gallery of paintings is very good
works from some Of the best German artists
also we saw some old curiosi,ies, carvings in
wood and stone.
After table dhote, we paid an interesting
visit to the castle. In its court is tree said
to have been planted by Queen Kunigunde
800 years ago! Then there was the funniest
little antiquated chapel in the great tower,
whose stone floor was very uneven from age,
and the altar mere cubbyhole with rude
table and benches, and il the low, dark gal
lery was the Kings kneuling bench-two
boards covered with velvet, one to knee on,
the othtr rest for the arms. From this little
chamber VIC enter the apartments for the use
of the king when he comes from Munich, the
favorite LOuis-our most adorable and bcloy-
ed Louis! Not very loyal in me, a Saxon
raying over the king of Bavaria is il? But as
he is ST. remarkably handsome, SD intellectual
young and good, every one shares in the en-
thusiasm about him.
But my great desire was to see the famous
dungeons and instruments of torture associated
with this old castle 50 when we were led
down II pair of stairs INTO the Gark, my heart
beat and looked to see il A. was surely
coming c. would DC amused to see how
eagerly Looked for the thumb-screws the first
thing. Ugh! it makes ones blood run cold
to see the horrible things, of all sorts they
were, to punish drunkards, thieves, quarrcling
wives, &c.-but no provision WAS made for
unruly husbands But these did not satisfy
my curiosity, and they disappointed me by
saving that all the castle dungeons were now
filled with coal. However, near there is the
large Free Tower" in which is the Iron
Virgin" which will speak of in my next
NJ. IL. 7.