The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-03-20
mi isc eIIaneOus
Our Foreign Correspondence.
Letter From Europe.
NO. v.

MIR. EDITOR have often spoken of the
mixed nature of the population of Vienna,
but it is such prominent characteristic,
that it requires much repeating to attain
the proper appreciation. Leaving the mi
nor tribes, such as Croatians, Poles and
Dalmatians, out of the question, the popula-
ton of the city consists principally Of mix
ture Of Germans, Hungarians and Bohemi-
ans. The Germans are probably, by far, the
most numerous of the three. Among the
Hungarians are many officers of high rank,
and intelligent business men, and the b.
hemians, though many of them occupy
high positions, are principally noted for
the number of day labcrers and servant
girls among them. In fact, the Bohemian
race in Vienna is about like the Irish race
in New York, in regard to their employ
ments, though in the matter of disposition
they are much more tractable. The social
classes are much more distinctly marked
out than they are at home, and though it
is possible for one to better his condition
and standing, the operation is attended
with much more difficulty. The lines of
division are very similar to those in other
cities, the officers, professional men, bank
ers and large merchants, forming the first
class, small merchants, mechanics &c., the
middle, and the mass of hand workers, ser.
wants, soldiers, hackmen and pedlers, the
lower. The students, of course, form a class
peculiar and separate, of whom, ifI contin.
ue these letters, l will speak more fully.
The domestic life of the Vienncse, is of a
kind far different from that enjoyed by our
people. 1t is much more secluded, more I'M
pretentious, costs less. The citizen keeps his
lodging, not as place in which to receive
and entertain his friends, but as his own re-
fuge-a place to sleep and to keep his family
Private entertainments are rare, and very
few are admitted within the domestic cir
Gle, except the immediate family and near
relations. Few people have whole house
in their service, and those who do, usually
rent out many of the rooms to dodgers
am acquainted with couple of English
men who have rooms in the house of one
OF the most eminent professors in the Uni
versity, man whose name is well known
in medical circles the world over. | would
like to see pair Of medical students at
tempt to hire rooms in the dwellings of
some of our swell American professors
The Vienna citizen don't seem to be at all
proud on such subjects /; he don't keep any
rooms empty and furnished prepared to
lodge friend or two if any should Glance
to CALL but it he has more space than he
wants, he rents it out as soon as possible.
The people spend most of their quiet
social life in restaurants and cafes of course
when some more sprightly entertainment is
required they betake themselves to balls,
concerts, theatres and the like, of which
there is no lack, especially now during the
carnival season. A Vienna restaurant is a
very comfortable place, taken on the whole,
and the dishes served are very satisfactory
after one becomes initiated into the secrets
OF the bill oftare. This ordinary restaurants
have very neat arrangement for keeping
the guests separated into appropriate clas-
ses. They are divided into two eompart-
ments, called respectively the CAST and
extra thinner, in the former of which the
prices are by fraction lower than in the
latter. AS consequence of the difference
in price the CAST thinner is filled with
hackmen, soldiers, porters, &C., and is usu-
ally somewhat noisy and boisterous, while
the extra thinner is occupied by merchants,
officers, students and gentlemen Of leisure,
OF which latter there are many in Vienna,
and presents rather more orderly and dig
nitied appearance. The accommodations
are very good. The room is filled with small
round tables, large enough for four or five
persons, the chairs are comfortable, and a
supply of daily and weekly newspapers is
always on hand.
Their principal business is done at din
ner and supper time, the former lasting
from 10 NJ, to or P. NJ, and the latter
with the beer drinking which ensues, from
to 10 in the evening. Beer is the prin.
cipal drink and it is remarkably good, but
very good wine can also be obtained both
of foreign and native brands. The Hunga-
rian wines are good and reasonably cheap,
and seem to occupy very favorable place
in the estimation of the Viennese.
The walters, always dressed in swallow
tailed coats and presenting neat appear
ance, are very cbliging and attentive, ever
ready to receive any slight gift which the
generosity of the customer may suggest
The paying is altogether lett to the honesty
of the guests. One of the walters, whose
duty it is to make all collections, is called
when any one wishes to pay, and as the
customer repeats the articles which he hai
consumed, lie reckons up the amount. Hi
salary is made up by the donations of the
customers, and as far as can judge he i: