New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-24
LETTERS FROM HAMBURG-NO. 2

LETTERS FROM HAMBURG-NO. 3.
HAMBURG, April "a, 1874.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
But few days ago the last military pro.
position of Bismarck, now an accepted law.
stirred and occupied the hearts and minds
OF the German people. To-day a new ex-
cItement has been created in all educated
circles by publishing law bill, which will
soon be presented to the Reicbstag, at Ber-
lin. Germany stands before the world pre-
eminent for her literature, arts, sciences
and wonderful military power; but alas.
amid all the regal splendor of her glory
may she look down upon her chains and
blush, for they tell her that all the dark
days OF slavery are not yet over-her press
is not free! OF how much importance and
consequence free press is to nation has
been proven, especially to Americans. How
ridiculous would it seem to them, for in
stance, if some great and important truth
had been discovered which would accrue to
the benefit Of their country, were they pro
hibited from publishing it upon the plea
that it would interfere with the personal
interests Of their President! This newly
proposed bill is to give the government
power to arrest and punish all writer's and
publishers Of opinions contrary to hers.
While the people do not refuse to be ruled
by strong justice, they will not submit to
absolutism. A severe combat is expected
in the Reichstag. A few days later will
give US the result.
There are only few cities in which so
many newspapers are printed as in Ham.
burg there are issued at the moment over
two hundred; the principal ones are the
Hamburg Nachrichten, Borsenholle, Ham
burg Correspondent, Reform, Freischuts,
Fren,tlatt, Commerz, and others; all these
contain telegraphic and other interesting
communications from all the principal cities
Of the world. The Borsenhalle treats Of
business matters almost entirely, touching
upon politics only so far as they relate
closely to business this paper might well
be compared with the New York Journal of
Commerce, while the Hamburg Nac1riclten
takes more the place of the Times. The
Correspondent, however, follows strict
and firm tendency, more defending than
attacking, but just and impartial, and
therefore high-toned and of long years
standing.
The public libraries OF the city present a
treasure of books and reading matter of all
kinds-science, art, industry, etc., the new
est and most interesting to every profess
sion, and every branch. of studies is there
laid before the public. There is the City
Library containing over 100000 volumes,
10000 dissertations, more than 10000 orig
inal handwritings of celebrated authors of
all countries, besides all prominent news
papers. Other libl aries of less importance,
bat of very rich selections Of reading mat
ter, are the Commerz Library, containing
10000 volumes; the united reading societies
of the "Athaneum," the Patriotic So
ciety," the Society for Art and Science, :"
the "Neue Borsenhalle," and many others,
extending occasion to all for improving the
mind. Attached to the latter named is a
rich and very fine museum, illustrating all
subjects in history and science, selections
of conchylies, birds, minerals. etc. The
ethnographical part is fine. Interesting and
historically instructive is the division for
autiauarianism. So much is done here Tor
the instruction Of all classes Of people, not
only that every one can enrich his mind by
reading in any manner he may choose. Lee
lures are also held in the City Library
rooms and museum free of charge. The di-
science, and freely answer all questions of
the public.
The higher Hamburg schools are all in
connection with the City Library and
Museum, also with the Geological Garden.
The schools for boys, with the exception Of
one-the High Gymnasium-bear mostly a
practical character to educate them for the
world. The Gymnasium strictly prepares
them for sciences. The education given
Young girls here can not be too highly
praised. Especially noteworthy is the at
tention given to the training and strength
ening exercises of the body, for which loose
dresses and shoes that make no corns are
called into requisition. The intellectual
education is perfect, theoretically as
well as practically. Each branch OF in-
struction is made so clear and simple by
amusing and entertaining illustration that
the faculties of the mind are called into
action, and it is by action alone that the
character acquires that firmness necessary
to guide it in the conduct of life. Beside
this delicate and unfailing method of train
ing girls minds to comprehend and enjoy
scientific branches of study, supposed by
some persons only attainable by boys, the
etiquette taught them is the purest and
most unaffected imaginable, because 1t is
founded upon the well-springs OF the heart.
They learn that life is serious and lmpor-
tant, but happy and true, in the fulllment
of natural duties; they are taught self-re-
lance combined with modesty; they do not
become mere blue stockings" after leav-
ing their schools. Constant occupation, TO-
gether with practical system and order, are
40 ,nstilled into their minds that idleness
becomes soon irksome to them.
tits remarkable how many different kinds
of important housewifery girls are taught to
accomplish in these schools. They are able,
after graduating, not only to ornament the
most select and intellectual society, but