New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-12
LETTERS FROM ABROAD-N0. 8.
BERLIN, June IA. 1874.
Epvrop RrpvYpy HAN. .tNH.


BERLIN, June IA. 1874.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,: @17
1 have already mentioned, in former
letter some points in the envirOns of Berlin.
l have since visited the residence of the
Humboldt family. which is a pleasant little
excursion by carriage about nine miles out
side the city. 1t was originally hunting
lodge of the great elector, but altered after
ward in imitation of Roman villa. In It's
present state it is very beautiful and TO-
mantle, and the lands around it are very
picturesque az well as highly cultivated.
On the four corner towers the winds are
in relief. In the inches of the
central part of the building toward the
garden are Diana, Minerva, an amazon, a
fawn. The interior is decorated with ad-
mirable works of art. The park contains
the burial place of William and Alexander
Hum boldt, marked by noble granite col
umn, with statue of Hope by Thorvaldsen.
Potsdam and its environs is the most in
teresting place near Berlin. 1t is the seat
of government for the province of Bran
denburg, and charmingly situated on the
Potsdamer Wender, an island in the Havel,
which here expands into series of lakes
and is bounded by thickly wooded hills.
The town is of ancient Sclavonic origin,
but was place of no i'm portance until the
Great Elector founded his palace and park
in the neighborhood. 1t is indebted for its
modern splendor to Frederick the Great,
who generally resided here, and in whose
reign the palace of "Sanssouci," the new
palace and a number of handsome private
residences were erected, and the grounds
greatly extended. Crossing the Lange
Brucke which leads from the railway sta
ton to the town, we have fine view Of the
Royal Palace opposite. Enclosed by two
rows of columns may be seen also the cele-
brated garden belonging to this palace.
There are in this garden fourteen bronze
busts representing York, Butcher, and other
celebrated Generals, by Rauch, and many
statues and groups of the beginning Of
the last century. OF great artistic
value. A grand military parade, with fine
music, is held here on Sundays, at eleven
o'clock. The palace is interesting chiefly
on account of the "reminiscences it contains
of Frederick the Great, whose rooms, with
their contents, have been preserved in their
original condition. His writing desk, ink
stained in his service, book case, with
French works, music, hat, scarf, and shade
for the eyes; his sofa and chairs-the COW
erings of which were partially torn off by
his favorite dogs. Adjoining the bedroom
is a cabinet with double doors, into which
a table could be let down from a trap door
above, and where the king usually dined
with his friends, without the risk of being
overheard by his attendants. The apart
ments of Frederick William Ill. and his
wife, Queen Louise, are also here preserved
unaltered. Those occupied by the late
King Frederick William ~. are adorned by
large number of fine modern paintings.
There is another fine view Of the palace to
be seen from the dome of the Church OF St.
Nicholas. This church contains paintings
and objects of greater value than any other
in Germany. The tymranum of the en.
trance contains beautiful relief of the
Sermon on the Mount, designed by Schin
KEEL, and executed by Kiss. The frescoes
are unusually attractive and finely exc
cuted. They are the work of Cornelius
teacher of the immortal master, 1 aulbach
One of the most interesting is large
fresco of Christ with the apostles and
evangelists. There are many others on tie
dome and vaulting. A vault beneath the
pulpit contains the remains of Frederick
the Great, and his father, Frederick
William L., the founder OF the
church. French eagles, flags captured
in lsl3-l5, and in 1901, are sus
pended on each side of the pulpit. The
tower contains musical bells, SO arranged
as to play the German national hymnt
every half hour. The buildings of interes,
are too numerous to. enter into detail
There is the Military and Civil Orphan
Asylums, the French Church, in imitation
of the Pantheon at Rome, the Casino, the
Theatre and Hussars Barracks. all in thit
fine neighborhood. An avenue outside the
Brandenburg gate leads to the park OF
"SanssOuci.' At the entrance to il
rises the Friedenskirche, or Church O.
Peace" in the early Christian
basilica style, designed by Persius, with 6
large quadrangular entrance court and de
tached clock tower. The court contains
Retschel's Pietas, the Saviour's body ant
the weeping mother; opposite to it Rauch'I
Group of Moses, supported by Aaron and
Hur praying for victory; then a copy of thu
Risen Christ, by Thorvaldsen. The int
rior is borne by Ionic columns and hand
somely fitted up. A vault in front Of thu
chancel is the resting place of Frederick
William "; there is an angel over 1t
worked in Carara marble by the Roman
artist Tenerani, the pose and expression o
which are sublinely beautiful There art
some Venetian mosaics from Cipriano d
MalamOcco. .
The Berliners are remarkable in thei
love and enthusiasm for all that is grea
and beautiful in science and art, and
think that all have written you OF then
is in praise. But they are most unchris
tan people, and ought to be made suffe
penance for their sins; they have SO man.
fine churches, and vet pass their doors t.
promenade under the shade of the Under
trees, or out in the fields and woods talk
ing, laughing and enjoying Sundays, in
stead of keeping them in quiet rest afte
their weeks labors and in prayer and de
votion. Shall l scold them Frankly,
can not, for when the spring is there thu
Lord has opened the wide door of His owl