Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-07-15
Letters from Germany.

SUNDAY, MAY 18th: Land Ho! When we
awoke at six, we were in the muddy waters
of the Elbe; at seven we breakfasted, and al
nine or ten we had exchanged the Holsatia for
a little steamer which took us in two hours to
Hamburg. Dear old boat There came feel.
ing of sadness over us, as we looked at it for
the last time, remembering all the good times
for the last fourteen days; and with hearty
good will, we gave three cheers as our boat
glided away from under her tall side. A love-
ly ride it was, past elegant villas, and nea' :,
pretty thatched cottages, green fields and one
fine, large castle. We could not find words
to express our enthusiasm in our first view of
Germany. Arrived at the city, we took hack
for st. Petersburg Hotel. Such queer old
houses as we passed, with very steep roofs,
half dozen stories high, and covered with
windows in front. some of the streets are
very narrow, so that we could hardly pass
carriage, and the door-steps of the houses
within foot of the edge of the sidewalk
But great change appeared as we reached
the street our hotel is on. This hotel is situa-
ted most beautifully on the river Alster, a
part of which is enclosed with stone so that
it forms lake, or "Inner Alster" All around
are the most lovely promenades, immensely
wide, beyond which is the carraige- way, and
elegant residences, such series as is not to
be seen in all Europe Beyond the Verbin-
dungbahn is the outer Alsier 1t flows south,
and under fine, new bridge. by the side OF
our hotel. Imagine the effect of this lovely
sheet Of wafer, in the evening lighted by
about 80 gas burners around ii. 1t reminds
one of Venice. There are many hotels around
this Inner Astar; the st. Petersburg is the
best. We ordered light lunch Immediately,
and at four o'clock, we dressed for the table de
hOte-the only meal day given without or
ders. Most of the party felt the motion of the
boat still, but did not. The dinner was ex-
cellent, but not so elaborate as we have been
accustomed to for the last two weeks. AS the
most of the party had something else to do, l
tOon walk alone around the "Alster," enjoy.
idg it hugely. At the right upper corner of it,
on knoll, is the Gallery of Fine Arts, built
in 1867. Stumbling on it as did. it filled me
with delight Statues of all the celebrated
painters and sculptors are set in inches In the
wall-the two most prominent, those of Mi
chael Angelo and Raphael. was led on a lit
tie beyond, to a lovely spot-a small sheet of
water, leading down to which are deep lawns,
filed with trees, with stately mansions for the
back ground. In front of the gallery is an ex-
quisite bronze statue of Schiller, with four
female figures at the base, representing Poe
try, Philosophy, Justice, and one do not re-
call. The expression of his mouth aud chin
Is one of the most beautiful have ever seen
in face. On finishing my circuit, met some
Of my party, and we went over it again. Re-
turning to our hotel it was dark enough 70
light our wax candles, gas being only used in
the public rooms We lighted three of them,
but they gave loo little light to write by, so
we studied the Guide Book.
The beds slept very nicely, with spring
mattrass underneath and a large down cush-
ion over us We see no double beds in GEL
many, therefore DIR. Halls ADVICE must be fol-
lowed here. The servant girls wear small,
white muslin caps In the house and street,
with white aprons no outside garment, and
often short sleeves, this cold weather in which
lre wear thick winter sacques The walters
wear swallow. tail coats of black broad cloth.
1t is very amusing to look from our window.
The street cars are two story, and the locomo-
live has the pipe at the wrong end; and its
whistle is squeal. Then, we see the oldest
looking peasant boys, with half stove pipe
hats though the style of the dress of the Ia
dies is not different from Americans.
Tomorrow we take look at the lions Of
Hamburg, and hope to convey to you at
least faint idea of them in my next