The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-08
For The Cecil Viii,
TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENCE.

DEAR WHIG:-I hoped to have gotten
Wentaden into my last, for there is not
great deal of it. Before the pleasure of
gambling on the green" was prohibited
there, it was the general rendezvous of the
elite of those whose consciences did not ex-
clude them from enlisting in the fascinat
ing game of chance. 1t is now the resi-
dence of the Duke of Nassau, and Ger
tainly very attractive with its broad ave
nues and stately mansions. But outside
from these it seems dead, and has not as yet
been resurrected into new and better life.
Baden Baden, that we visited later is far
more attractive in its cheerful surroundings
of hills, waterfalls and beautiful gardens
Frankfort on, the Main is by far the most
business like town / have seen on the con-
tnent. There is an activity about her PEG,
pie that is quite refreshing. We visited
the old bridge over which Roman armies
have marched, 1t is used for general traffic
to day. 1t is built of red sandstone, and
ways | ever saw. Many times has Goethe
prattled over it i'll his childhood and fished
its stream below. There is q very fine
monument erected to his honor in one of the
squares. Among the most beautiful pieces
of marble statuary in the world is one here
of Ariadana, by Beddington. Itrepresents
a model female of life size, of most exqu-
site form, reclining upon the back of a
of al
of marble from pedestal to crown. An
other very artistic and attractive feature of
Frankfort is its floral gardens. These are
the most tasteful and tremendously exc
cuted designs we have come across in Eu-
rope. In Cologne we thought they went
far in redeeming the city's shortcoming;
but here and Brussels we see the most pei
feet horticultural and musical entertain
ment that our applauding senses can record.
Our visit to Heidelberg was an extremely
pleasant one, as it is filled with reminis
cences of the most beautiful castle ruins in
Europe. This magnificent monument of
art is a picture of the several ages it
represents. Its Oldest part is over seCen
centuries, and its walls still blaze with the
most perfect specimens of the artists chisel.
Its great halls and battle turrets tell of
feasts unlimited in hospitality and wars
untold in cruelty. Its immense ruin, viewed
from above or below. gives to the minds
eye a picture filled with beauty, culture
and romance! Passing from room to room,
with its evidences Of decay, we cannot
restrain the feeling that God is God alike
of the weak and the strong, and bendeth
all things to HIS will.
Strasbourg, as every reader remembers, is
remarkable, if for nothing, for its clock.
This is one of the cities that the French
nation caused Napoleon to add to the do
muions of Prussia in the late Franco Prus-
sian war. The people here are French and
have no sympathy with German rule
You only have to allude to the subject and
you are very soon satisfied with the senti-
ment of the populace. The several persons
| have talked with, who speak English
tolerably well, do not hesitate to say, the
war that cost them so dearly will all have
| TO De louSnt oNei again. we Sd" many
evidences of the siege, which must have
been extremely severe to the city, but was
| bravely withstood for about a month. |
am told that at times there were three ham
| dred shells per minute thrown into the city.
| Just think what hades it must have been.
| The Prussian Government is now at work
strengthening the Notifications at every
approach, and there must be many Il life
given up before Elsass again becomes
| Alsace.
We are now in the charming, mountain
capped Republic of Switzerland. 1t makes
me feel more at home-ths being i'll a Re
public. The scenery so far presented is
realistic of the most romantic dreamer
We arrived at Lucerne, situated at the
foot of Lake Lucerne, yesterday evening.
| This is said to be the most charming of
Switzerlands lakes; certainly to my mind
it is extremely enchanting and beautiful.
| The lake is some two thousand feet removed
above the sea. | am penning you this
from the summit of Mount Rigi, some two
| thousand lcct aoeNc INC i"''ei' ""u i'9 o"V-
look is thrilling in the extreme. | look
west-iust in front Of me is the bold Lake
Lucerne, at my feet, shrouded in festooned
cloud half way down the Rigi: to my right,
Lakes Sempach, Pawldeck and Hamlet,
with the snake like course of the Russ,
and behind me Lakes Luke, Agrie, and
/ Zurich, and to my left Leovertz and the
mountains of Turdie. Not more than a
seeming walk of five Or ten minutes, rise
the Grand Alps, mantled in everlasting
snow. The view is absolutely Understandable,
but must give you this grand scenery in
my next. IL. T. H.