Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-06-25
Major Judd's Letters

CONTINUATION OF NOTES OF EUROPEAN TRAVEL,
FROM LETTERS OF MAJOR JUDD, OF THIS CITY.
Venice is built upon piece of marsh aud in
the midst of the water; and except very few
narrow streets or alleys, the sole highways are
the canals which thread the city in all directions.
Passing long bridge from the main land, the
railroad enters a station where in place of
wheeled vehicles gOndOLIs await the travellers
and take them through the various canals almost
noiselessly to their hotels Some OF these boats
are called omnibusos, and arc propelled by six
gondoliers who stand up and push their oars
instead of pulling them as in other boats. 9th
ers most in use, have one or two boatmen, and
they are seen gliding about in every direction.
or awaiting their guests at the steps o, some
building rising out of the canal, People uAs
them for all purposes OF locomotion, for shop
ping. for calling, for marketing and going 10
church. Since they wero once used for political
purposes in being made TO represent the colors
OF rival parties they have been required to be
all painted black, and more hearse like looking
machine can hardly be imagined. During moon
light nights, paties are made up in gondolas
hung with lights and eolored lanterns, and hav-
ing bands of singers on board, which glide
through these quiet highways and give one
idea of what Venice NAV have been in the time
OF her ancient glory. Now her finest palaces
are occupied as hotels. and the feet Of strangers
rtsound through the marble halls of the Doge's
Our feet added to the number. and we visited
tne Ehlhce OI lie DOBo =, tue tfl8Oub tno BfluR0
Of Signs St. Marks Cathedral, the Pigeons
which swarm ON the Plaza and the beggars which
swarm everywhere
We next went to Milan. and were wrapt in ad-
miratiOn of it's wonderful cathedral probably
the most beautiful specimen of architecture in
the world. Standing on the roof which is paved
with heavy slabs Of marble one secs on all sides
around him perfect forest Of spires, ,turrets and
pinnacles, each surmounted with q statue in
pure marble. The interior is very elegant, with
4 nd. lka,a. H..
and services were very imposing, conducted by
nearly sixty Priests and ASSISTANTS.
From Milan we made the tour OF the beauti-
ful Italian Lakes, Maggiore, Lugune and Como,
the scenery OF which ID unrivalled; thence by
way of Verona, Boxen, Inspruck, and Munich, to
Vienna, which we reached few days before the
opening OF the grand exposition, in connection
with which, az is too often the case with other
matters, our cOuntrymen did not appear to much
advantage, tho commissioners appointed to con-
ductafairs being guilty Of securing privileges to
the contributors. Vienna is a grand and very ele-
giant city, and we remained there about week,
when we went to Dresden and thence TO Berlin
the Capital OF Prussia, and the residence Of old
King William, who made such short work with
the FTenchmen.
Berlin is a very handsome and wel-built city
elegantly ornamented with monuments, statues.
palaces and public buildings
The military element prevails everywhere, and
one meets soldiers at every turn, and splendid
heard through the streets. Every able-bodied
man at the age OF 20 enters the army and serves
from one to three years, 30 that the people OF
Prussia are nation of soldiers fine, healthy,
well-dressed yonng men, who seem proud OF
their uniform and loyal to their King,
We attended the Royal Chapel (Lutheran)
aud heard some grand singing by the congrega-
ton.
Wherever the Sabbath has overtAken us in
our travels we have found there the Church of
England had planted her banner and a neat.
often handsome place of worship provided, not
only for her own people, but for those Of our
country who choose to avail themselves Of it's
benefits. Much interest was manifested by
the congregation, who did not leave all the ser.
vices to the minister, but united very earnestly
in the responses and singing
In few places we found place OF worship
for the Americans, especially, the Distinguishing;
feature of some OF which (as at Paris, for in-
stance) being the display OF rich aud fashiona-
bic tOilettes for the ladies' who have gone beyond
the French i'll this respect.
From Berlin, we turned our steps westward
and came to Cologne on the Rhine, where w9
renamed few days, making an interesting ex
cursion up that river to Uonlentz, and the strong
&" Castle of Standardization, on the opposite
bank, one Of the strongest places in Europe.
Thence to PaTis-gay, brilliant fascinating
Paris-which one can hardly believe was the
scene OF such suffering and atrocty two years
ago A Revolution inthe Government took place
very quietly very soon after our arrival and tho
present President is a soldier and monarchist.
No one believes that affairs will remain in this
condition OF quiet very long. Crowds OF Ameri-
cans are here and the modern "American Girl
is looking after her many dresses. Prices have
gone up and the true Parisian says these Amer
leans ara making everything dear" j.
Very sincerely your friend, II b. Judd.