The New York herald., 1874-08-01
H o M B U R G..
Increase OF the Number Of Visitors Since the
Close of the Gambling Tables.
Pleasant Life Reading Rooms Music.
Theatre e-Church-A Forest Festival.

with the closing Of the gambling rooms. These
conclusions have proved however, erroneous,
especially with regard to Homburg which enjoys
a greater prosperity than it ever did In the
palmy days OF NJ. Blanc and MS crOupiers Twas
speaking with the director OF the Homburg Rail-
road yesterday and was assured tnat the receipts
OF the road from Frankfort to Homburg) had this
year been SO far proportionately greater than in
any previous year, even before the closing OF the
gambling rooms. While the green tables attracted
a good number of wealthy people, especially
Russians and the English nobility and the DENT
monde, the great mass Of respectable peO-
pie who annually come to Europe for
a longer or shorter residence were frightened
away from place where the temptations to
ungodliness were OF more than ordinary attract
iveness. Before the close of the gambling era
villas and town residences could have been pur-
chased for merely nominal sum. Now the price
has increased most extravagantly, and people are
settling here, some for the summer months and
some permanently.
BEAUTIES OF HOMBURG.
The natural and artificial beauties OF HOmburp
must ever render the city one OF the most at.
tractive ofGermany The fresh, gentle breezes CON-
ing from the SUBMITS Of the Taunus fan the little
city into delightful temperature while the resi-
dents of nelghborng Frankfort are perspiring in
a tropical glow. Then the grounds about Homburg,
which, in the course OF many decades, have
been transformed by landgraves and M.
an artificial paradise are now the property, so to
speak, OF the guests, to be enjoyed by them to the
iull extent. we can wander any where and every
where, free and unmolested-about the gardens OF
the castle and under the lovers archways OF
lollage, Sld in the English garden and then in the
beautiful park grounds created by the gambling
institution In former days. When we look on these
beautiful scenes, called up by artificial means, til.
families. we cannot help thanking NJ. Blanc for
some Of our present enjoyment Without the gam
been developed. AS somebody pleasantly said that
there Is concealed beautiful statue in every piece
% O s Gn sD smos Sc
natural paradise ii the hand Of the artist is per-
mitted to remove the Onensive and cultivate
the beautiful. True. the means employed to
the beautifying Of Homburg were neither moral nor
worthy OF general imitatlon-but then the present
generation should not be held responsible for the
sins Of their predecessors and forefathers.
MODERN HOMBURG.
With the exception of the loss OF the gambling
tables, and in different class Of it's VISITORS
Homburg has remained in appearance about the
same The Kursaal Is certainly a far more agree
able place than it was there being less push. and
style and arrogance. The rooms wherein forme rly
the green tables were placed are now used as read
ali countries lree to the guests. In this HON.
ex-gamblinQ places, where tbe hveried menials
stop every stranger and demand lee Of five silver
secrated halls 1he concerts and other entertain
ments are the same under the present as the
times daily; in the morning from seven to eight at
the Elizabeth Spring; In the afternoon IN the Kur
garden, nom three to iour. & anu evenings IN the
Every Friday evening there Is grand concert,
with Illumination, to which thousands OF people
come from FRANKFORT and the neghDOring places.
Up stairs in the Kursaal are rooms lOr
BILLIARDS, CHESS, DOMINOEs,
and, 1t is whispered, for real gambling. though on
this point l canno, vouch for the truth. Some
where down IN the grounds Is fine croquet
Ter n a
game at your invitation. Then, at stated times,
there are 0a s ballet
attractions, securing on certain days OF the week
the personnel Of the Darnstadt Court Theatre one
Of the Kursaa, is . pleasant, well ventilated
structure. For the relt9iously inclined there are
preachers wherein the usual pulpit philosophy
may be enjoyed. Last Sunday heard
the nr@s ns nSaTs
then regret that by reason of sin lying
IKE gloomy mist between us and IT. we we're
the church l gazed on the beautiful stretch of
country between Homburg and the forest.clad
landscapes, and felt the mountain breeze tanning
my cheeks, and gazed on the beautiful features Of
within the category OF sinners.
FETE CHAMPETRE.
The director provides for his guests very rational
rste c'eaDapetre or Wa4dtest had been arranged TO
take place, and though on small scale was very
enjoyable affair The Jete took place IN secluded
meadow opening called the Deer Park, in the
midst OF the forest that stretches from within two
range. The park is simply an enclosed part Of the
forest and is well stocked with deer, which are
called upon now and then to satisfy the appetites
of Homburg guests. couple OF thousand guests,
English, Americans and Germans went lOrestward,
some in carriages and drOschkies, Others in hunting
wagons and coaches, which the director had pro-
vlded for very moderate remuneration. One
feels the active care which h t. the director gives to
as II he considered the people about him as his
special guests; as II he tried to make all f., as
happy as possible. To me Homberg seemi far
more attractive place than 1t was during the gam
bling days. Then the lackeys hardly conIescended
you were in the habit or paying handsome fees.
Now the pOrters and lackeys and gardeners pay
their respects to the guests IN pleasans way, and
and pleasure as Is necessary. This givesa decided
home feeling to the place which makes dga, guest
feel desire to. rest q while in the city and his
rests grow in 'ength as he becomes at; ached to
persons and things, and he finally spenos months
where he had originally anotted himseH lew
days.
But | must tell you OF the ''Waldfest." After q
drive of half an hour we come upon the Deer Park
and enter the tree-surrOunded meadow. On one
side are benches ana nd tables d9r reireshments m in6
site side of the meadow grOundslad out for croquet
and the dance for children. Through the meadow
flows a sllvery tree-shaded stream, crossed by
rude planks and evergreen 0rnamented bridges.
Close beside 1t, under q clump OF trees, the mill
tary band has taken up It's position, and from four
O'Clock until the end discourses to us IRON the
realm OF music. The Jete bears q very simple,
seni-famly character There is nothing booster.
Gus, nothing unpleasant, and we wander about
from group to group and from the restaurant to
the shooting galleries, from the croquet grounds to
the charmed circle enclosure for the dance. All
American friends who can put in
an appearance There is the omnipres.
ent Mr.. Murphy ex.Consu General OF
Frankfort now engaged In depopulating Germany
OF Its emigrants Tor the benefit OF Arkansas, VINO
possesses larger circle of acquaintance 10 HON.
burg than perhaps any other resident guest Col
onel Mehary looks fresh and sunny as ever. Mr..
Truesdale, OF the Rock Island Railroad, young and
admired, walks from group to group OF acqnain.
tances-happy on one side OF his face SAD on the
otner; happy in his present enjoyments and sorry
to leave Homburg for the more material regions OF
Rock Island next week. Captain and MIS- Symmes,
with their blooming children, arrived later. The
Captain looks well and strong, ana ls busy In
patents, and likes to dwell on memories oil west
Point ana his active naval life. Mrs. Symmes Is u
charming ladv OF Polish descent. But must not