The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-07-25
FOT INC VtCII "
BISMARk AT kISSINGER.
MESSENGER, Bavaria, July s, 1877

MESSENGER, Bavaria, July s, 1874.
The mineral waters of Messenger are to
be found in almost every place on this
globe, but nowhere will they prove as eff
cient as here at the sowrie. The principal
spring, called Racoczy," contains, be-
sides many less important parts, princi-
pally common salt and carbonic acid gas.
About mile distant from this spring there
are two bubbling fountains or 60 sprudel
of salt water, one of which has been bored
TO depth of 1000 feet, wherein liquid
is boiling up, which has formerly been used
for the manufacture of salt, but which
now serves only to battle in. For that
purpose we find here two large establish
ments, where salt water can be applied to
the body in all conceivable manners
Drinking and bathing in connection with
rigid diet, much promenading in the well
wooded mountainous surroundings, early
rising and absence of business cares, make
up the agencies by which thousands of sick
folks have been restored to health and life.
AS early as 6 o'clock in the morning, and
even earlier, everybody goes to drink at
the Racoczy fountain where shady and
covered promenades are provided and
where pretty good music is discoursed from
to s O'Clock A. NJ. This scene repeats
itself in the evening from 6 to p. NJ, with
the difference that at this time there is
more promenading than drinking done,
and that one goes more to see and to be
seen. The hours between those general
meetings are filled up with walking, bath
ing, eating, riding, etc.
In observing the people we find that
about half of them are ladies, and
many patients of both sexes show by their
too well-roundcd forms, that they have
been sent here for a reduction of their
bulk. Large numbers of the visitors have
some stomach trouble to cure and many
want to get rid of sckly nervousness.
To the latter class be longs Prince Bis
mark, who has come here by advice of his
physicians to reorganize his overstrained
looks that lie needs it. Although he is
stout six footer with military bearing, he
shows by his almost hairless head and
rather Dioated face that he has not achieved
glory and success without trouble and pain.
He lives here in large house, exclusively
in company with his family, consisting of
wife, son and daughter. He has brought
his own cook and other servants along,
but uses the splendid teams which the
King of Bavaria has sent here for his sake.
While everybody else goes to the spring,
he has the water brought to his house and
garden-and wisely SO, the curiosity of the
people being such that he cannot show
himself without being stared at by hun
dreds and without being obliged to answer
their salutations.
1t may truly be said that glory and great
ness are dearly purchased, if one cannot
enjoy life in the same peace and quietness
as others.
We Americans had, however, special
occasion to experience the overgreat, and
probably undesired, zeal with which the
officials here guard over his rest. A pub
lie announcement in the last days of June,
called the citizens of United States togeth-
er to discuss the manner in which the
18th of July should be celebrated here.
Some fifteen answered to the call, they con-
cluded to remember the Independence day
by fireworks, decoration and music, and
made up at once a fund Of about 200 dol
lars towards the expenses. Permission
was cheerfully given by the local authori-
ties to let off the fireworks at the hotel
Schmitt, the band was engaged and every
thing prepared, when, on July 4th, Bis
mark arrived. On the morning of that
day Count Pappehheim, the chief of the
Bavarian Administration here, declared
that no fireworks should be let off which
would make noise, and the music was to
last till II o'clock p. NJ, only. Without
exactly forbidding the celebration with as
many words he did it in this round about
away, and the American committee con-
cluded to let the whole matter drop. The
true reason, which however was not adj
mitted by the Count, is supposed to be the
rather unfortunate fact, that the garden of
hotel Schmltt is situated alongside Of the
house where Bismark had installed him
self on that day. 1t is also supposed that
the German Chancellor did not know any
thing about the proceedings and that he
would not have approved of them. As the
case Stood nothing could be done but to
celebrate the day quietly with wine and
champagne, and that we did in as merry
way as ever in the States. G. III.