, 1872-12-17
BERLIN.
The Miseries of Crossing the
Channel.
Experiences Of a Man Ignorant Of Ger.
man, on First Entering
- Germany.
Life in a. German Family---
Gungrs Concerts.

Life in a. German Family
Gung1's Concerts.
From Our 0pr Correspondent.
BERLIN, Nov. 16, 1872.
It would never do to pass from England to the
Continent without milking few remarks on the
little
VOYAGE ACROSS THE CHANNEL.
The two hours occupied in crossing from Dover
to Calais are very rarely forgotten BY travellers,
for most tourists deem it. utterly impossible to
imagine any way Of spending that amount Of
time in more abject misery than it can be spent
upon the Channel steamers. Everybody has
written about the small size and wretched ac-
commodations Of these miserable little boats;
everybody has wondered that two 80 great na-
ton as the English and French have 30 long
submitted to such an uncomfortable and utterly
inadequate mode Of communication between
them; and nll the world knows that the Channel
is the most disagreeable and trying, ct all
waters on the face Of the earth, for those who
ere inclined to sea-sicknesa. So will say moth
ing further about these things; but there is one
little peculiarity in the management OF these
boats that must mention: As soon ns the boat
has left the wharf, while she is yet in stl water,
and before any one has begun to be miserable,
the stewards make their appearance with guam
tity Of
AMPLE WHITE CHINA BASINS,
which they set down before the disgusted tray
ellers. Now, these basins are very suggestive,
most unpleasantly 30, in fact. They have
about them an ominous look Of evil to come.
They seem to speak forth, in accents not to be
mistaken, the sad history Of the many former
tourists who have leaned over them in misery.
Everybody knows that, if you ''Ten q man he
is thief, he will be hung;" and that is very
much the effect these odious basins have. I
verify believe that some people might escape
that dread monster, sea-sickness, if these hid
eous basins were not thrust so early right under
their noses, as if there WAS no possible doubt
that, sooner or later, every would need them.
There is misery enough in crossing the Channel
without any unnecessary addition to it from the
inconsiderate acts Of men who ought to know
better: and, I do hope, that in the course Of
time, this barbarous custom will be given up.
ALAS FOB LOVERS
who cross the Channel together! There is no
room for romance here. I BawtW unfortunates
sitting together On deck. Their position Beem-
ed, at first sight, romantic, tor the gentleman's
arm WAS around the lady, and her head rested
upon his shoulder. On closer inspection, I OBJ
served basin between them, resting partly
upon her lap and partly upon his, and,
alas for romance! the basin was far
from empty. Their faces wcro very
pale, and they did not look happy; however,
they we're miserable together, and their fate
was, after all, happier than that OF those who
must use solitary basin, and have no sympathy
in their sorrow. This is only one Of many such
the midst Of this misery is in thinking that two
hours must end sometime; when it does end, it
is really marvellous to see how quickly every
ones spirits rise.
Having safely reached the Continent, + am
next going to relate the experiences of man
WHO KNOWS NO GERMAN,
savo the Gttle which he, in common with most
American youth, hea read at col1ege-whon he
and had never spoken a word Of German until
entered Germany. Every one had said to me,
q If you know French, you can get along per-
fectly we'll. Everybody speaks French On the
Continent. Being perfectly familiar with French,
I expected no difficulty u making myself under
stood everywhere; but was disappointed. Ny
first disagreeab1e experience occurred at the
depot in Berlin. had been travelling about
nineteen hours steadily, with nothing
waa NATURALLY in IN oxtremev rom disapreeaS1e frame
~ .n;1J r no;nIt 81 era1 az x5as croaa ND
r. tha ysrv eeraa nf faroc,y p ra
desire on my arrival was to get good dinner at
aome hotel. Consequently, the instant the train
nsopp1u "ag a ina9A hag otacid - ro9 ~
fr9,o nndom fan!d ~ a., Ia a;c;ai 1ro anneare
tIout nc, - o1le.a1 W. ~
~ s1eat4en go soe su1ed @ Vs@a .nJ
a. iopa e ot Aa ~ "rd ~ +,et
nssnti1 ayAg y n9s % u oc;a1 1aned ts at t
aner chac r;ght aida n and hs 1ooed At X
Fsrpn eida m and ha 1od,ed at i eaways dnr.
H. t;,a r. ,.;a1 49, aI;nat;or 1 stno
ne .H1 e4h ~ mSn aons 4 ast @
oic;aY ,on1xad IT ne and 1at ~ Wbo1a vnIav NJ
German - rieht in nv face ace Il lid not nnderstand
me- s;ne1a word h. said AID b,t beran to norcs;re
ara teas anroa ue bF " con
r nj pet nv % tr11nkl saw that tha Official and r
naf nndartaod az e.ch %" othar IN aonna Wap
!. ~ !" ihoncht T ~ course he sneaka FrencH
7hev ali % dn" L p0riez rnus F1nnca;s. Man
10y. ~ - rar,,artod forof,1ir h. T' "1o'$
S'ea'' TTrrp 7rnSa nepI1 nppe1qny nrn,,r>-r
+Ia of;c;a1'a coi,1,tenanca ,;tf,a
~ h.-t ~ ~ 1871 J;aon.srn.od
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