National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-06
FOREIGN TRAVEL.
Recollections of Visit in Berlin-Glaacos {
the Home Life of the Germans.

FOREIGN TRAVEL.
RecOuections of Visit in Berlin-Glazcos at
the Home Life Of the Germans.
Although, as a general thing, the Germans are
very GLOW in introducing any new methods into
their social or Industrial life, and more labor
saving machinery is Invented and used in Amer
lea than in any other country on the face OF the
earth, we may yet learn something by observing
their movements. in the direction Of ameliorating
the condition of the poor, and towards relieving
the housekeeper from Wearisome and unnecessary
burdens.
During a short visit ade in Berlin last autumn,
was so fortunate as TO receive from Lima Nor
gaDsterD the authoress OF the Paradise OF Child
Mood an invitation to accompany her to
AvoLKsKUcKE, (PEorLE's KITcHEN,)
and in the afternoon to the city hall, where a
Verein (hOusekeepers' assOclation) was to take
place: 1t was II O'Clock when we entered the
volkskucke, which had just been opened to the
premises and taste OF the food before the arrival
OF the crowd Of laborers, who avail themselves
daily Of this benetcent invitation.
1t seems that for three cents a bowl full OF
dinner is given, consisting Of mashed potatoes,
which have been boiled IN strong meat soup, and
makes q very comfortable meal, while for i've
cents you receive a double portion, and piece Of
pork or other meat added to it.
was told that they now have thirty-tive differ
ent kinds Of food, which they serve on different
days, but only two kinds at one time.
There are twelve OF these kitchens in Berlin
and so long as there are found among the House
keepers Association ladies who volunteer their
services in distributing the food after it has been
prepared by hired cooks, so long does the enter.
prise at least pay its expenses, II it does not actu
ally yield 4 small prott in spite of the great in
crease Of rents which have risen from 200 thalers
year at the commencement OF the enterprise to
the present rent OF 800 thalers per year for one
basement, for each kitchen is situated in base
ment.
Mrs. Cecilia Adler, sister Of Lima Morgenstern,
has also succeeded in
INTRODUCING THESE KITCHENS INTO VIENNA.
Mrs. MOrgenstern wished to 60 with me to a
kindergarten, but she had not time, SO l went
alone, but as we have already some very ine and
complete kindergartens in America, such as that
OF Miss Haynes, in New York; that Of Miss Mar
Wedel, in Washington, besides some in Boston
and other localities, which far surpass in elegance
Of ftting.up and attractiVeness anything I had
Eeen in Europe, will not stop to describe them,
but will excuse the great sense OF baroness and
poverty which l experienced in these rooms for
the very sensible reason that no parents are will
ing 10 pay more than twenty i've or thirty dollars
year for one child's tuition, while more than
double this sum is charged by many American
kindergarten instructors.
only wonder that, since the useful and bench.
cent results produced by this system of teaching
the little ones has been so universally admitted
in Germany, 1t has not yet been introduced
into the free schools, of which there exists over
eighty in Berlin alone.
verify believe that 1t is to be the crownIng
glory Of our American Republic TO tirst Introduce
citizens, for II IL the parents OF the labOring
classes who have to turn OIL their little children,
to be amused as best they can just at the age when
Impressions are deepest and most lasting 10 their
hearts, and when the foundation stone Of the ia.
ture noble and useful citizens should be laid by
tho Iudlcious kindergarten teacher.
Lana MorgenStern was, for many years, the
able drectrGEs VI
THE KINDERGARTEN UNION
in Berlin, and when She retired, not long since,
she received various tokens Of the esteem aud
affection In which she was held by all It's mem.
beTs and the various patrons Of Fr0ebels kinder.
KHTten system.
One Of these was n magnificent album, which
contained 10 photographic writing letter Of thanks
Tor her valuable services, signed by the mayor OF
Berlin and many other dignitaries who hold prom.
ibent positions In matters OF education. With this
representing Christ blessing little children. She
was very we'll pleased TO learn that the kinder.
garten guide tho paradise OF Childhood" had
been translated and published In America, (iu
Springfield, Mass but was also very much VeXed
10 learn that II was published as the work Of the
translator, Mr.. Riebe, who was ungenerous enough
to withhold the name Of the autnoreSs from the
American public.
She 10 now devOting her energies towards the
progress Of the HouseEeepers Association, IN con.
DectlOn with which Housekeeper's Weekly Is
published, in which every home interest is dis
cussed. The questions before the ladies on that
afternoon were O consideration OF the best methods
OfprOvidiDg good servants for the mem bers OF the
association and the proprety Of allowing the va
rious Peoples Kitchens in Berlin to avail them
selves Of the
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT or THE HoUsEKEEP.
Frs ASSOCIATION,
at whose bureau every description OF goods may
be purchased in small quantities at wholesale
prices, without pay ing the usual admIttance fee
OF one thaler for achIkitcheD, or should they be
admitted free as work Of charity. Itwas decided
that they should not be considered as subjects Of
charity.
Next, 1t was proposed to build washing
institution, on shares for the nominal sum Of az
thaleTs each, to be subscribed for at once. AZ
such place low tariff would be established for
the washing and ironing Of Clothes where no.
ing done better and cheaper than elsewhere;
the protts OF the Institution TO be divided among
the shareholders. This institution is to be pro.
vided with every new appliance and machinery
that have been invented for this purpose.
What blessing such an institution would be to
will ieTyentIy hone that our hiabIS setseme ned and
accomplished women's rights advocates will turn
some OF their time and attention to cultivate
rev OF the grieyous burdens, which now embitter
the pleasure OF housekeeping in America some.
what in the manner II Is done by handful Of en-.
terprisng and intelligent bousekeepers in Berlin,
with Lima MOragenstern rs their president. Al.
thong this Institution has been 10 existence but
few months, 1t already
NUMBERS OVER ELEVEN HUNDRED MEMBERS,
and branch associations are forming 10 other
One Sunday Visited a chapel OF which the
Rev. Paulus Cassel is the pastor. had been
told that he was a very able and learned man,
and preached with great deal Of power, but as
he was converted Jew his delivery was de.
scribed as being very unpleasant and disturbing
to the effect OF bis preaching. During the read.
ing Of the Scriptures and Of the hymn admitted
that this was the case; in fact could hardly nm
derstand him; but when he prayed, as he gener.
ally does, in improyised poetry. and during his
sermon, all peculiarities Of speech seemed to van
fish. Every word was plain and endowed with
the power OF truth and lnspiration: and he stood
there the very generalization OF Paul Of TarsuG.
/ felt that should have lost great deal had
left Berlin without hearing this man, aud reloIced
that in this pleasure;loVing metropolis and seem.
ingly sceptlcal city the eternal truth was being
preached from inspired lips TO crowded and ap.
preciatiye audiences.
Mrs. LOUISE POLLOCK,