The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-08-24
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
Rev. Mr., Fisher, OF Wheeling. nj
Hamburg, Germany.
HAMBURG, GERMANY, August 1876.
Editor. Tntn1Ivenoer.
HAMnuRn

Hamburg is city OF $4,000 inhabi-
taats. For ages it has been free city.
Along with Lubbock it founded the famous
Hanseatic League which once filled SO
prominent a place in the affairs OF Europe.
Now while retaining the shadow OF its
ancient privileges, II is a part OF the
great German Empire. Much Of it is
marked by the ugliness which is SO COM
mon in the cities Of this part of the world.
My German friends will pardon me il |
say very frankly that more unattractive
places than are most ofthe towns Of their
Fatherland could hardly be imagined by
an American. And much ofHamburg is
in conformity with the prevailing type.
But there arc parts OF it which differ.
Great fires in the past have swept away
whole streets OF buildings, and these have
been replaced by others Of different
character;and now Hamburg in some fits
better sections can compare favorablywith
the finest cities OF Europe. The place was
once fortified with ramparts and moats.
These have been converted into prone.
nades, which are adorned with trees and
gardens, and are exceedingly attractive.
There are also many delightful localities
in tho suburbs. But the great feature Of
the city is Its business. 1t is one Of the
principal commercial centres OF Europe,
and, as such, ia closely connected with all
parts Of tho world. The Exchange, where
at midday the merchants Of various kinds
meet for business, TO the number of thou
sands, presents scene which Is exceed.
ingly animating, and is seldom equalled
elsewhere. So
NORTHERN GERMANY.
We have trayersed Schleswig. Holstein
and the region toward Berlin. The
country is Hat or slightly rolling, and
presents little OF special interest TO the
traveller. It is in heregion Of the Rhine
and In the central and southern parts OF
the empire that the treasures oil art and
science, Of historical association, and OF
natural scenery, are chiefly found. But
our journey does not now carry US in any
OF these directions. r
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
We have come here for the purpose Of
embarking for England. And, inasmuch
as we shall here bid adieu to the CONT
nent Of Europe, I may avail myself OF
this az themes favorable opportunity TO
make some observations Of general
character, drawn from travel in this part
OF the world. There are several things
which are apt. to strike an intelligent
American visitor to the Continent as pre-.
senting contrast to- his own country.
Some Of them have pleased me; others OF
them have done quite the opposite.
ART CULTURE.
The attention which is paid to art is
well worthy Of all praise. In almost
every city Of any considerable size will
be found q building or u number Of
buildings set apart as place OF deposit
for paintings, statuary and the like.
Many an old palace which has been vol
unfairly abandoned for some cause, or
from which its former owner has been
driven, is used for this purpose, And
here are collected the best works which
can DO obtained at home or abroad.
These museums, as they are usually
called, are thrown open TO the public
either freely or at such small price
that all can visit and enjoy them. Pri-
vate collections also are often accessible
without difficulty. In the United States
we have had nothing which can be COM
pared with these public institutions. II
Is to DO hoped that under some form the
European custom may be transplanted
TO our shores.
PARKS AND GARDENS.
In most Of the cities also may be found
parks and public gardens OF great extent
and beauty. There may DO q peculiar
necessity for them here, because Of the
narrow and repulSiye streets in which the
multitudes live. But in any case they
are among the best peculiarities Of Con-
tinental cities. When l have seen the
children playing under. the shade Of the
magnificent old trees, and the hard'work-
ing men and women enjoying their pleas.
ant seats and walks, have heartily
wished that wo in our cities always had
similar places Of resort. Alas We have
often begun by destroying the very forests
out Of which might have been formed
parks with which those Of Europe could
not have been compared: Now, we need
TO commence in some humble way TO re-
pair the folly which we have committed.
MUSIC.
Music also Ia here wonderfully popu-
iarized. l am sorry that 1t is closely as.