Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-03
Mafrhniap & 1onrnal
wEDNr~ FEBRUARY 3, 1875.
sourneylngs In Europe...y.

|
closed the previous letter by my arrival
in Vienna, since which time | have been SO
occupied with mountain journeys and sea
voyages, sometimes in places Of danger,
but always in places Of interest, that have
had no time for giving definite form to my
impressions, or TO relate the adventures
which have passed through.
Being for the present quietly ensconsed in
the town Of Sukhum Kale, shall have
more leisure, and if my health permits
shall endeayor to give my friends in dear old
Vermont some account Of what have cx-
perienced during the past few months.
Sukhum Knle is a town Of about three
thousand inhabitants is situated ON the
northeast corner Of the Black Sea, or Euxine
Pontus Of the ancient Greeks Itis built on
one Of the most cosy aud picturesque spots
on the whole coast, and consequently enjoys
a winter climate which It would be difficult
to surpass. It is now the 18th of December
as write. From one of my windows / can see
the bright blue sea, with scarcely a ripple on
It's surface. A few feet distant from another
window, there are the magnificent weeping
willows, in all the glory Of their green foli-
age and slender, dropping branches Near
by is little Aowergmden with halfa-dolcn
rose trees, at least fifteen feet in height,
covered with red and whiteroses. and % small
bank with petunils in perfect bloom on
my table is boluet Of choice flowers, an
grown 100 the open air. The sun is so bright
and cheering, aiiorling a winter climate
which unites the mild smoky air Of our
Americanlndim summer with the quicken
ing warmth Of the early days Of june. Then
the sun-rises are so clear, with the ever
changing reflections of the snow range, and
the parti-colored foliage of the lower hills;
(the leaves never entirely fall here during
the winte) the sunsets are so rich in
color the clouds aud sky scarlet or purple,
and when the sun sinks into the sea a long
line Of delicate aud peculiar green is often
seen extending from the horizon to the
yicinitg Of the shorc-that witnessing such
glorious mornings aud evenings I do not
history the worship Of the suii-god was prey
alent; the Gver Of life and light; the
sustainer and cherisher Of all living things
OF Sukhum itself | shall have occasion 10
write hereafter At present shall merely
state that it is the capital town Of Abhasia,
formerly semi-indepcndeut principality,
and now an integral part Of the Russian en-
pire. So much being said about this little
Asiatic place | must hasten to a brief ac-
count Of my short stay in Vienna and my
journey hither, my excursion to the main
chain Of the Caucasus, where our party had
horse killed by falling from an almost per
pendicular procipice, more than thousand
feet in height and where we ourselves were
for some minutes in great danger
Arriving at Vienna after q rapid journey
Of night and a day was very glad TO find
pleasant apartments in the hotel Munsch,
situated in the heart Of the old city not far
from the celebrated Cathedral church OF St.
stephen, aud fronting both on Kamthner
street and Lobkoyitz square. They view from
my rooms was on the latter, which is sur.
rounded by buildings of the old time and Of
antiquated architecture. In the centre of
the square is a large fountain, which plays
continually, and is pleasant both to the ear
and the eye The crowded square below me
bustliug with activity, the quaint build.
ings whose shadows were continually length
ening as the sun went down, an formed an
agreeable contrast to the journey which had
just finished. Soon an excellent dinner was
served Sitting near the windows, with
pleasant outlook, and a travellers good ar-
petite TO sweeteu every dish, enioyed the
moment perfectly. The Vienna cuisine has
the reputation of being the best that Ger
many can afford In my opinion it is much
better than that Of Berlin, butuot To- be COM
pared with French cooking. About eight
o'clock we went 10 tho Yoll-rartan. one of
the most agreeable places ia Vienna. 90 spend
a leisure hour or two I'm the evening. Ills
remarkable for its excellent music and for
It's interesting society. One or two nights In
thewoek there are twoorchestras. and ON or
dinary evenings one. You meet thore tho
principal celebrities Of the political. diplo-
matte and military circles. and ALTHOUGH the
price of admission is very small. about TWEEN.
tv-fve cents. the ordinary Vienna publc
never crowds in what the reason is | do not
know, but such place of entertainment
would be difficult if not impossible. any.
where outside of Vienna. While sitting AT
nv table. near the principal promenade
irving the quality Of an ice. many well
known persons passed by-amonpst others
General Schweinitz. the representative Of
the court of Berlin. in apparently earnest
conversation with Vassiltchikoff. tbe Russian
Charge d'Affaires. They were probably
talking about the Spanish question. as
Prince Bismarck had inst proposed To recoo.
nize the government of Marshal Serrano.
and neither Russia nor Austria had vet
agreed to ioin in the movement. General
Schweinitz has American connections. since
he has married the daughter of Mr.. Jay, our
minister at Vienna. Next came Sir Andrew
Buchanan. the English ambassador. in COM
pany with Baron Orczy pronounced Ortsee)