Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-26
ictter from MIR. Ross Turner.

mir Ross Turner, formerly Of this city, now
pursuing his art studies in Munich, has written
& letter to friend in this country: the following
extract from which wrs furnished 20 the Wash
| ington Star:
Christmas at Munich WAS Q grand affair end it
lasted two days. Midnight Sunday vi all Went
to the grand cathedral, The Virgins 'hurch,"
or "Frauen kirchc," an immens Gothic
brick church, near the center of the city. 1t is
q masterpiece Of pure Bavsrian Gothic, built in
1915. II was showing slightly as wo drew near
tho building, that doomed up like an immense
rock Of ebony; no lights visible, yet on entering
the darkness was Just luminous by multitude
Of tiny lights called "vespor lights hold in the
hands Ct boys or placed on the chairs. The altar
was ilIumeI b. a row Ct yellow candles. in ms,,-
nifcont candesticks, or either side OF tho stops
of the altar, and two ENG chandeliers suspended
over tho same, high TIP in tho air, in a space
almost black as night. The ino arches of the
church gradually were lost in the same dark
space. giving one vast idea Of gloom and mys
terry. On the stops wero boys in white. guard
ing the altar, with clasped hands, resembling
angels as mitch 6s any one could believe, not
having seen any OF the originals. The arch
bishop sCo7 aIii7Gd, and g magnificent cortego
ras formed and wendell their way TO tho bign
altar. BE- this time seemingly grand cascade Of
tGpor= ana gold gitterlng with precious stones.
All this in almost perfect silence. Thon began
the chants Of prophecy from the Old Te2tamont,
without music; this continuea, every one on
their knees until II, midnight-then o pause,
until FIR back in the darkness came the magri
cent tones OF tho grand organ, and the orchestra
rolling up until the va ole church almost seemed
TO burst into q splendid ir!troit to the mas The
bishop stood in robes almost of one solid mass
Of gold and jewels, with nitro snd staff, and
several lesser priests g!ittering beside linn, and
behind them tho choir stalls filled with priests
aud boys with splendid banners, lights, making
Q scene impressive in the highest degree, and as
magnificent a. the most imaginative could sup
pose The sceno at the elevationofthe Hos: was,
really. awlllly solemn--the mass Of people on
their knees the priest PROSTATE, and silenc3
only broken by the tolling of ono ofthe grandest
sounding bell: high up in the tower / have
ever listened to. Tnon came mighty burst OF
music announcing tho conclusion Cf one Of the
most splendid rites ever witnessed, and should
I live forever shall never forget the first mid,
night mass saw and listened to in Munich
Christmas morning l attended mass st the
"Hof Chapel" in the paacc-tho building small,
yet s. Jewel box OF marble, gold, and splendid
fres cOe:; the orchestra and organs especially fne
The choir cOnsigta Of three full quartettes, be.
longing t" tho Royal Opera Need | add, the
quality OF tho music was rs fine as has ever been
written, and sung To perfection. l Has indeed
sorry TO have it concluded, aud few have had the
pleasure IF hearing finer music.
usually httend Sunday morning service at
the Lutheran Church. They nave u large con-
gregation, and Gn immense Church. Tho music
is entirely congregational, but very grand and
impressive; fno largo organ well played, adds
much to its effect | wish to Accustom myself
to hearing good German, and prefer that TO a
sort Of high church Episcopal service held by thu
English here. l begin TO understand considera-
BILE, bat do not speak much as ought, how
ever in l9W months, perhaps, l will bo able
to speak more huenty.
Speaking CT languages, ytu would have erjoy-
ed seeing Tie iii Paris displaying my proficiency
8 Washing tonlHn and he would commence,
then stop short snd call on me TO 60 on. would
continue the conversation until / stumbled over
some horrible Irregular verb, then he would
come in, and that WAS the way we managed at
the cafe, did most oftnc French. found faint
stomach and strong appetite By far the best
French teacher | ever bud, and managed always
to get plenty TO Get. The air in which | gave
orders liz the best "Washing.on. French" to Par
isisn watressa:s wss rs cOmplacent as the most
hardened could have desired and the manner
in which i wherc1 them at tue slightest hcsita
tstion on their part to comprehend mo was quite
= novelty 10 Is modest person. would look over
the carte. seesomethlng that looked like word |
had seen ba!0Ia, shove it Ut her. and wait with |
curiosity the result. Once, unfortunately, | |
mstook the nu1nnar, and WAS brought tire |
ind? q so27 and Jar Of Salads 1 picked gu. |
the most pa!atable looking ones. and looked |
well-scvcTa hundred dnggers OF various sIzas
Ct the madame vino brought them
Give my remembrance 10 ail who express |
themselves III my welfare so kindly, and assure
them / expect 10 Make q success. or they will
never sec nc in America, or elsewhere. again.
Ross.
Oac night last week Miss Lucy r. WaddelI,