The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-03-08
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.

lWflltCn expressly Tor lho lNllllH h'T'llu'l
VIENNA, December 4, 1878,
Bright sunshine ushercd in the LIST
Of December, 1873. MS il King Sol HIM
self was preparing for the grand illu-
mination which had been announced
TO take place this evening in honor of
the twenty-iifth anniversary of the
reign Of Francis Joseph !. If II was
the intention Of King Sol to honor his
earthly brother potcntatc, he certainly
"did il up" in unusually grand style
and had the day to himself that is, in
the Illuminating line, though n genu-
inc JOY seemed to pervade the city.
Business was not generally suspend
ed, but workmen and workwomen
seemed to he taking u holiday, and the
streets and public vehicles were crowd
cd with throng of pleasure seekers.
A general order had been issued to
the effect that ut p. m. all omnibuses
and public vehicles should stop run
ming in the city, and that even the
whole length of the Ring strasse should
be freed from street cars or other con-
veyances, in order that the expected
crowd of pedestrians might have UNI
disturbed possession of the city and
enjoy, without danger of being tram
pied under the feet of horses, all the
beauty and gaiety of the illumination.
As early as 4 p. m. the work of prepa-
ration for the evening began. Flags
We're hung out of windows; banners of
the Austrian colors were entwincd in
graceful devices on the fronts of public
buildings and various designs in jets
of gas were in process of erection.
Already the streets We're filing with
the eager crowds, the throng of fla
cres and carriages was diminishing,
the sound and rattle of wheels was re-
placed by the pounding of hammers
and the murmurs of human voices.
AS the light of day faded, the VIM
dows of all the houses burst into IL
blaze of glory. Dwellings, stores and
offices, whether in cellar or garnet, all
were illuminated, if only by single
candle. The illumination of the Win
dows was generally by candles, the
number varying from two to twenty,
according to taste and wealth of the
parties. All the public buildings, ex-
cept the imperial buildings, that is the
palace, the imperial opera house and
theater, were illuminated.
Glowing monograms of the royal
initials, +. j., surmounted by a brilliant
crown, cleaning banners, twinkling
stars, and transparencies of various
kinds, decorated the exterior of differ
ent buildings. Many of the transpa-
rencies were portraits of the imperial
pair, while others were practical and
referred in complimentary terms to the
emperor. On the various open market
places glowing electric suns made
light more brilliant than daylight
itself.
On several of the markets, or public
squares, tasteful tribunes were erected,
upon which bands of music were sta
toned, and which at intervals woke
the sleepy echoes with bursts of joyous
music.
At p. m. the royal cortege left the
palace and began the tour of the city. |
a strong guard of policemen, six |
abreast, forced q passage through the
lensely packed throng, and similar
guard brought up the rear of the train.
An open carriage, holding the "burg-
,rmeister" and another city magnate,
preceded the imperial carriage, in
which was seated the emperor, dressed |
N marshalis uniform and wearing a
hat, ornamented with
, graceful green plume. He
greeted the people with the mill
airy salute and looked with interest
It the different transparances, portraits
nd other devices, as they passed along.
By his side sat the crown prince, lad
f fifteen, whose head was covered by I
he stiff, ungraceful, but exceedingly {
enteel "stove-pipe" hat, or "cylin-
err as is here styled. He sat quiet {
, leaning back in the carriage, but |