The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-02
VIENNA AND THE PRATER.

Vienna; or, '"The vindOb0na of the Romans as
many classical jewellers OF the sem0riental city
delight to call her, Is, perhaps, more generally
Partisan in character than any other place on the
Continent of Europe. While the suburbs have been
laid out In the most gorgeous style, covered with
delightful villas and gardens, representative of the
highest architectural floral and horticultural arts
to meet the demands and tastes OF the middle and
fourishng classes, all the available portions Of the
old town have been subjected to the renovating IN
nuences of the modern architect and contractor
for the benefit Of the rich and afiiuent. The old
town. whose history naturally carries the student
back several centuries, is less than mile in cir
cumerence. Here can been seen streets and
buildings whose irregularity puzzling and intri-
cate. lead directly to the suppositiOn that like old
New York, the present brilliant capital OF the
Hapsburgs was built upon "c0wpaths." Fire and
sieges have lett ndelible evidences OF their raw
ages from time to time; but the visitor can
yet see from the Bastei the Old Notifications now
converted into delightful promenade, several
groups Of closey-built dwellings, that have with
stood the elements, the political wars and the
hand OF the besieger for centuries, ana are to-day
interesting specimens OF buildings, glorious for
their comfort, accommodation and antiquity.
walk through Herru Case reminds the visitor OF
the days when Kara Mustapha, with 200, 900 Turks,
battered away at the grand old walls and ortifca-
lions. Here the aristocracy formerly held sway,
and the numerous alleys and James, with build
ings almost meeting above the first floor window,
betoken the manner in which they lived, hudded
together for society and protection. Now bankers,
stockholders, brokers, merchants doing business
with the whole world congregate in this locality,
while lawyers, affluent and briehess, occupy prOmi-
nent and obscure positions, the first counselors
OF Importance, the last to lounge, smoke ciga-
rettes, talk 'stocks" and tell legendary stories
and create history for Auerbach or the numerous
penny-a-liners who contribute to the literature OF
the cottage and the Kitchen. Here also, within the
limits Of the glacIs, dwell many OF the most
wealthy and arIstocratic families OF Europe.
Churches cathedrals, art galleries and musical
societies are also abundant.
As before stated, modern innovations have
somewhat altered the exterior aspect of many OF
the dwellings of the nobility; but within the old
oaken starcases ana superb sculpture the pride Of
Old Austrians still remain intact, and shown to
the select and formally introduced stranger with
great pride by the chief OF the household.
The modern city is now from twelve to fifteen
miles in circumference and has population Ql
nearly million.
On the east Of the city is the 'blue rolling DAN
ube' now being widened and deepencd and
excavated nine miles long and 1000 feet wide,
along which, on the city side, extends magnin-
cent quay, to be lined with business Thus Vienna
is to be made great port and reached by large
steamers from the sea.
West and southwest Of the Ring the stranger can
find his way into the most delightful OF suburban
districts He can take the omnibus at University
place and go via Alser-Gasse to Herrnals, or go
through Alt Serchenfeld Haupt strasse to New
Serchenfeld and to Ottakrn or take a pleasant
trip in more southeasterly direction through Matz
lendt High street. Through all these districts the
modern and beautiful are everywhere apparent.
The whole city Of vienna-the present circum-
ference Of which would be about twenty miles,
without counting IN the numerous suburbs, called
vorcrte-is subdiyided into nine circuits or dis
tricts (Bezirke). Each one Of these circuits is
governed by a Board OF Trustees, called Bezirk-
sausschuss, and Bezirksborstand, or President OF
the Circuit. This President and Board possess,
to very great extent, executive powers In all
matters pertaining to their respective circuits in
dependent OF the city government although in
most cases, they are considered a. the dcputed
executive officers Of the Commune. Each circuit has
within its own limits aGemaindehsus (Town House,
These are generally substantial and finely built
structures, containing in them the ofhces OF the
several members Of the Board Of Trustees OF the
Bezrksborstand, Justice OF the Peace for that par
tcular circuit also the rooms for the city police,
remen and engines set apart for that circuit; and
all business, whether IN connection with the
Streets water or gas pipes Of that particular CIR
cult, or with individuals living under Its jurisdc-
ton, has to pass through some branch Of this Town
House, no matter whence 1t may come.
The general city government Of Vienna Is repre-
sented by q Board Of Aldermen called Gemeinder-
ath, and Mayor (Burgermeister). who is elected,
not by the people direct but by the Board OF Alder
men, This Board has power under the statutes OF
the state. to enact ordinances pass orders in re-
gard to assessments and taxes and regulate the
AFFAIRS OF the Commune. The Mayor Is the presid-
INC ofcer OF the Board, and with us, posse sses
the veto power on ordinances, but not on resou-
lions.