The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-02-06

heard distant shout of applause, and as it
neared the point where we were stand
ing, we could mark its progress by the ap-
preaching roar of voices, which were raised
in loud hallos as it passed along the lines.
The Emperor rode in an open carriage,
accompanied by the crown prince, his
son, and followed by several other equip
ages containing the arch dukes, his broth
ers, and the Empress. AS he passed, the
people shouted loudly, and many, appar-
antly perfectly wild with enthusiasm, rush
| ed toward the carriage, under the very feet
of the horses following. After the impe-
rial party had passed, the crowd followed
| filling the Whole street, roaring and seeth-
ing like mountain torrent. The street
was literally full of people, men, women
| and children were carried along as it were
| by an unseen force. Smaller streams issu-
| ing out of tho side streets produced many
eddies and whirls in our advancing tide,
and the hum Of voices rose like the roaring
waves of the sea, interrupted now and then
by the shrill scream of an injured child, or
the hoarse curses of some fat old burgher
carried along nOlens rolens with the rushing
stream. Occasionally we would crowd into
q doorway and take survey of the crowd
|
mixed character, consisting not only of all
grades of society, but also of many differ
ent nationalities peasants, citizens and
soldiers, were mingled indiscriminately
together. The beautiful Vienna lady
clingipg to her husbands arm, was jostled
by the stout lass who carries the hod, the
gay officer was whired along side by side
with the country farm laborer, the painted
cheeks and glancing eyes of the demi monde
were as conspicuous as usual, and the ubi-
quitous 'gamin," known in one language
as the street "arab," pushed his way, head
foremost through the thickest the crowd.
All along the "Kohlmarkt" poured the
living stream, the Graben was filled to over
flowing and the smaller streets 10 leading to
"Amhof" were literally damned up with
humanity. In some places the police form
ed line in the middle of the street with
joined hands, dividing the stream into two
parts, each moving in Il different direction.
have seen few crowds before during my
little space of life l have gone to the
opera here during the exhibition l was in
Baltimore when the body of the late la
mented Abraham Lincoln was borne
through, and | attended the great Demo-
cratic convention of'72, but never have
seen such a mass of humanity as filled
the streets Of Vienna on last Monday night.
The whole population Of the city was in
the streets, and delegations from the neigh
borhood, even from the uttermost parts of
| Austria, added themselves to the swarm.
You may form some idea of the press, when
1 tell you that in the Ringstrasse, q street
of 70 feet in width, two men were tramp
| led to death by the crowd. How many
were killed and wounded in other parts of
the city, can not say, but their number
must have been considerable.
The arrangement in regard to music was
most excellent. The various military bands
ofthe city, not few, as the garrison consists
of nearly 10000 men, collected at certain
central point early in the evening, and
marching in various directions toward
their quarters, filled the city with their
strains. They were necessarily compelled
to move very slowly, and wherever they
went, each band formed the nucleus of an
immense crowd. The poor were not for
gotten in the general rejoicing. Several
theatres were thrown open to them, and
thousands received free restaurant tickets
winch entitled them To enjoy the great va
riety ola good, full nourishing meal OF
course beer and Wine flowed freely, and
produced its usual effect. AS we returned
home rather late at night, for we had con-
cluded our nights enjoyment by visit to
the Orpheum, the streets were again nearly
empty, but we would occasionally meet or
pass patriotic Austrian whose legs were
getting beyond his control. ASH halted at
my door, an old fellow passed along at
tempting to sing one of the national airs
But the beer which he had imbibed to the
health ofhis sovereign having got the upper
hand, there were more hiccoughs than
musical notes, and his efforts in the musi-
cal way were i'll vain. Nevertheless ho
seemed to enjoy it, and rceled along home
ward utterly unconscious of the ridiculous
appearance he presented.
A citizen and soldier concluded to
close the nights entertainment by counting
the lights in the windows. Back to back
they stood, looking to all appearances as if
they had adopted the motto, united we
stand, divided we fall, for their support.
But they had postponed their calculation
too long; where the soldiers saw one light,
the citizens saw two and gice gersa; when
they thus differed they would roll around
face to face and argue the point and as
neither of them at this stage could count
more than five, it is not to be supposed that
they finished their calculation that night.
The effect ofpotations on the Austrian is
far different from that which it shows on
the American. AS the latter comes under
the influence of the spirit he becomes pug
nacious. The former grows noisy, but the
idea ofinjuring any one never seems to enter
his head. During all Monday night with
its crowding and drinking did not hear
of single fight.
Monday was the feast of the people;
Tuesday was the court day. The imperial
family and princes thigh degree ceebrat-
ed the occasion as became their station by
royal festivity. There was grand dinner,
believe, and some other princely enter.
tainments, but further Can not say, as
Francis Joseph did not see fit to invite me,
and do not enjoy the honor of knowing
any one of those who were present In my
next | will try to fulfill the promise of my
last, until which time | remain
Yours, TO command, NJ X *****