New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-19
LETTERS FROM ABRoAD-NO. 10.
BERLIN, June l9, 1874.

DLRLlN, Uuuc ~, iC'f
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
described to you in my last the "Church
of Peace" which is situated near the Park
of Sanssouci. Let us now enter the latter,
80 celebrated in history and rom ance. We
soon reach the great fountain, which rises
to height of 100 feet, and is surrounded
by other smaller fountains. The natural
ness of art here exhibited can hardly be
excelied in any other part Of the world
There are twelve sculptared figures SAT-
rounding the basin, among which is the
celebrated Venus, by Pigalle. brought here
from Paris. This ia said to be one OF the
finest pieces Of sculpture in existence, and
rewards the inspection of the counoisseur
A lalee equestrian statue Of Frederick the
Great, in Carrara marble, copy OF the
celebrated work by Rauch, in the Linden
street, of which have already written you,
stands by the fountain. Also the porpyry
bust of Paolo Giordano, Duke of Bracciano,
a medieval Italian chieftain, said to have
been purchased at price OF 5000 livres and
placed here by Frederick the Great.
broad f ght of steps, seventy-six feet high
interdivided by six terrac es, ascends from
the main fountain to the palace of Sans
souci. The graves of the tavorite grey
hounds of Frederick the Great are upon one
end of the highest terrace, spot which
was much resorted to by the King. The
palace Of Sanssouci was built by Frederick
the Great. and was almost constantly his
residence. 1t is chiefly interest ing from Its
associations with the roman tic days OF its
illustrlous founder. 1t was here that the
grand old hero died. Step softly, here is
the very room! Here is the chair stained
with the last bleeding to which he was sub
jected. His portrait in his fifty sixth year.
by Pesne, is said 10 be the only likeness TOR
which he ever sat. A clock which he was
in the habit of winding up is interesting
from the curious coincidence OF Its having
stopped at the precise moment OF bis death.
Among the early days of his residence here
he selected the spot for his own burial, and
had his grave measured aud dug. Upon
showing this place one day TO the Marquis
L'Argent the king said, 'Quand Je
Serai la, je serai sans souci,' and from
this remark the palace received its name.
The painting gallery of Sanssouci which was
once the pride of Frederick the Great, and
afterwards of Frederick w illiam w., has
yielded up it's finest treasures to the Royal
Museum at Berlin. which l have described
to YOU in the "Florentine rooms,' among
which are many originals Of Raphael and
Del Santo, purchased at great expense by
Frederick the Great and Frederick William
". There is connected with the gardens
an orangery used in sum mer for the French
theatre. with which Eoltaire amused and
entertained Frederick the Great. This
grotto has been fitted up with great splendor
and expense; the floor is beautifully inlaid
with the most costly shells, the treizes with
minerals and precious stones. Near this is
the Sicilian garden cont aiming tropical
plants, foun tains, and statues. Immediate
ly at the back of Sanssouci is the famous
windmill alluded to in history. 1t is
still the property of the descendants
Of the miller who refused to sell
it to Frederick the Grea for the pur
puse of further embellishi ng the palace
grounds. Further is the new Orangery, an
extensive structure in the FlOrentine style
adorned externally with mo dern marble
sculptures some of them works of consld
erable merit. There are about forty copies
from Raphael in somewhat singular juxta
position. The rooms on each side, and the
Malachite Saal, are slngularly beautiful
They contain some mas terly sculptures IN
marble, among which are K auch's last cele
braced work, "DOnaide, " and pictures by
Hildebrandt, Kalkreuth Stapge, and others
The terrace in front is adorned by the ia,
famed Farnese bull. From the windmill a
path leads to the ruins, an EN- inence beneath
which is the reservoir for the fountains OF
Sanssouci. The water is pumped into it from
the Havel by means Of steam engines. The
tower commands beautiful and extensive
view of the Havel, Glienicke, Babelsoerg,
Potsdam, Sanssouci and the romantic village
of Bornstadt, with its royal offices and
church with detached tower. The garden
and park of Sanssouci are remarkable for
their beautiful grounds and fine timber
The Chinese or japanese house was called
by Frederick the Great his ape saloon, from
the numberless ii cures of apes with which
its walls are decorated. curious and ca
PRECIOUS taste is here exhib tied. A valuable
musical clock, presented to that monarch
by Nine. POmpadour, is here preserved.
Upon leaving this saloon you are greeted
by large fountain with six colossal sea
horses. The Antique TEN pie is a marvel
OF art; it is kept locked, and constantly
guarded, according to an ancient Gus tom.
We obtained permission by note address
ed to the Queen Dowager, who resides here
Elizabeth, widow OF Fred erick William
W., to examine it. 1t is a miniature imi-
tation of the Pantheon at Rome. and con-
tains many objects of interest and immense
value, An admirable statue in Carrara
martle of Queen Louise, by Rauch. Within
this temple is an inner temple, called the
Temple of Friendship, which contains
statue Of the Margarine of Bal
reuth, sister of Frederick the Great
The new palace rises to our view
as we leave the temple; it is situated at the
end of the long inner avenue. This palace
was founded by Frederick the Great In
1868, after the termination of the 'Seven
Years War;" and completed by him at a
vast expense in 1863. Many of the 200
apartments are richly decorated. Part OF
the upper floor is occupied by the Queen
Elizabeth. After the death OF Frederick
the Great, Sanssouci remained unoccupied
over fifty years. when Frederick William
w took il for his residence and died here