The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-07
OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENTS
LETTER NUMBER NINE.
GERMAN WATERING PLACES.


WiesLaden is one Of the oldest water
ing-places in Europe, for it was known
to the Romans, and Pliny speaks Of its
hot baths. IL is now city Of 10000
permanent residents, aud some 6O,OO0
visitors and invalids are here annually.
1t is pleasantly situated on high ground
few miles back from the Rhine, and
surrounded by well-cultivated, rolling
land. \ view from any elevation in
the city showsa country which reminds
an American of the better parts Of New
England. The city consists of an old
aud new part-the old with narrow,
crooked streets and all the peculiarities
of venerable continental cities, the new,
which is built around the old, has wide,
straight streets, and fine shops and resi-
denees. The most important boiling
spring OF the several within the city is
connected with one OF the avenues by a
long, curved walk.
The water of this spring, Of which
chloride Of sodium, common salt, is the
chief ingredient, comes to the surface
with a temperature Of 1859 Fahr., and
is carried TO various bathing houses in
the vicinity. The waters are particu-
larly beneficial in cases of rheumatism
aud gout, aud the great number of in
valids being wheeled around in rolling
chairs is sad contrast 10 the other
urfaa pfaa-ura-s..l-fvrr ..,.r,... NO -
the visitors. II you wish drink of
good Weisbaden mineral water, yon can
have it at home by taking a glass filled
with hot water, and putting in it a tea
spoonful Of salt, aud piece OF kitchen
soap about the size of pea. After il
is thoroughly mixed, sit under the
shade aud struggle with il until you get
it down, if you can, aud you will have
pretty good idea OF the taste Of the
water.
The chief attraction, however, Of a
German watering-place is the Cursaal,
which, in general, is fine large build
ing containing a concert-hall, a ball
room, reading-room, refreshments
rooms, and other apartments for the
convenience of visitors. In the Cur
saals were the great gambling establish
ments in the times when gambling
was carried on publicly, and on a grand
scale.
During the season at a continental
watering place, music is always fur
nished from one TO four times a day.
These bands, which are the finest in
Europe, are engaged by the season, and
paid by the city. Sometimes tax is
levied on every one who passes through
the place, as at Interlaken, but generally
a small admittance fee is required.
Those who remain for any length of
time purchase at very reasonable price
the privileges OF the place, including
the use Of hot spring water and admit
tance to the concerts. These concerts
are in the open air when the weather is
/ favorable, at other times the concert
hall Of the Cursaal.
/ In front Of the CursaaI in Wiesbaden
is beautiful garden, lying between two
/ long colonades. in which are large
number Of small shops for the sale of
/ jewelry and mementoes. Back of the
/ Cursaal is small open space nearly COW
cred with chairs, which is a favorite
louugiBg-place, and where the open ali
concerts are given. This is along one
side OF little lake, beyond which i,
a park beautifully laid out in walks ana
drives. The reader can scarcely con.
ceive anything more delightful thar
these open air concerts in pleasant sum
mer evenings. He must be utterly
without romance who cannot enjoy al
hour in the moonlight i'm the seat undel
the great tree on the island, listening L
the soft strains Of exquisite music from
the opposite side Of the lake.
Life at Iyiesbaden consists in drink
ing the water at from five to eigh
o'clock in the morning, lounging an,
smoking until dinner, driving unit
dusk, aud attending the concert in tn
evening. There are many pleasant ex
cursions in the neighborhood, by walk
ing or riding for those who are NOR
actively disposed. There are few q
those immense hotels which are the pc
culiar misfortune OF our America
. watering-p places, but everywhere are th
apartments" in which one can liv
with all the comfort and quiet Of hOm'
/ While undoubtedly society has claim
I on people here, it does not seem if thes
were as eXacting AS with Us. In brie
it seems as if the people go to Wie'
! baden more for good solid comfort tina
r display. Americans are beginning {
! realize that the less ostentious way
spending the summer is the better, an
our smaller places among the mOuI
{ tains and by the seaside are rapidly fil
1 ing up with class of people who al
: preciate comfort and will have it.
. Wiesbaden counts among its attTai
= tions a small army Of the nobilit.
r headed by the Emperor William an
the royal family, and grading down
4 the innumerable minor mobiles OF u
n countless small provinces which al
= now amalgamated into the German en-
d pire. These are here in such numoei
: that you can hardly draw a DO" At
# venture without hitting one. ANUS
e ments OF all kinds are kept up on u
Sabbatb the same as week days au
one sabbath we noticed large circ'
- in foil blast near our hotel.
a.. ropta IN Raden- Baden we ma.