The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-08
A Letter From weinar, Germany.

A Letter From Weimar, Germany.
We have been shown and have been per.
mtted to transfer into our columns the fol-
lowing extracts from a beautiful letter to
Miss Lucy, the daughter of our esteemed
fellow-citizen, Colonel w. j. Keller. The
letter is from her cousin, Miss Jeanette, the
accomplished daughter of DR.. Charles Z.
Keller, of this city. 1t is written in charm
ing, colloquial style and is replete with data
that will interest not only the
friends and acquaintance of the young ladies
named but the general reader. The letter
thus opens
WEIMAR, Germany.
DEAR LUCY We arrived in Weimar on
May 10th; think it beautiful city-in fact,
admire il more than any through which we
have passed, either in the United States or in
Europe.
We are boarding with German family,
consisting of widow lady, an invalid sister
and little girl. They are very attentive to
us, and we considtr ourselves fortunate in
deed, and appreciate Mrs. kesslers kind ef-
forts in securing us such nice place. 1t is
about half way between the Augusta school
or conservatory of music, and the art school,
so that we are both convenient to our stud
les. must tell you that many families have
great horror Of boarding conservatory pu-
pills, as we all have pianos rented, and OF
course the constant practice is great annoy
ance to those not interested.
The conservatory is q. very large and an
Gent looking build ng, four stories in height
There are great many professors employ
cd, all under Lists supervision, but he does
not teach / suppose he is seventy or eighty
years of age, although he does not look old in
the face, and seems to be very spry. His
countenance in repose, is ugly, but when he
smiles has very sweet expression. He is
about the ordinary height, stoops little and
has long, white hair. Some of tho musician s
here initiate him by wearing theirs long, too.
We are studying German with all our
might and expect to do our own talking be.
fore long, but at present an English lady
interprets for me and the professor daughter
or one of the pupils, for Mary Lizzie. If
you wish to know something about the diff
cuties of this language refer to the appendix
of Mark Twain's TRAMP Abroad" We
can partially endorse what he says
Weknow it is great help in our German
to hear it correctly spoken and to be COM
PEELED to try to pronounce it ourselves.
The desperate efforts, on both sides, to be
understood are so ridiculous that it amuses
us very much.
am sure you would like Weimar. There
are some magnificent buildings, beauti-
full fountains, monuments and lovely park
here. In the park are flowers of every de-
scription; would like to press some to send
home, but il is against the law to pull them.
Scattered through the city are large open
blocks with artesian wells in the center of
each, where the servants go to get water, as
there are no private wells. From what Mrs.
X. told us had drawn such an exaggerated
picture of Weimar in my imagination, that |
was afraid of being disappointed, but instead
OF that it was IN agreeable surprise.
know you will be astonished to hear
what pedestrians we are getting to be. Mrs.
Weiss, our land-lady, takes US out for a walk
every day. either in the afternoon or the even
ing after tea, MS il does not grow dark here until
| nearly II o'clock The air is cool and brac-
ing and the streets are paved with stone; we
have neither heat nor dust to annoy lis, and
as TO musquitos, q lady asked us if they were
not about the size Of a mans hand, so you
may form some idea of how little they know
about them over here.
We have walked out to Belvidere park,
which surrounds the Grand Dukes castle, a
distance of three or four miles. The road
which leads to it is about twice rs broad as
Main street, lined on each side with trees
planted .one hundred and twenty-five years
ago, which form an arch overhead, all the
way from Weimar to Belvidere. The Dukes
castle is u large and queer looking building
though not pretty. 1t is guarded constantly
by soldiers; on all sides they may be seen,
with guns and swords, as if waiting for an
attack; indeed the soldiers uniform is on
such constant exhibition here, that it will
seem quite strange when we get home, to soc
all in citizens dress.
Several ladies who speak English have
called to see us, and you can not Imagine
how glad we are to meet any one who can
talk in our own language.
i DR.. Schwabe, ian old friend of Mrs
Kessler and family,) called and offered TO do
US service at any time. He is a man OF
great influence in Weimar; is court physi.
clan, and has travelled nearly all over the
world; lives in avery large house, and has
seven rooms filed with curiosities collected
by himself. He invited Mrs. Weiss, (who &C.
companies us everywhere we go,) M. L. and
myself to come and spend the evening with
him. OF course we went. l would like to
tell you of all the odd, queer things we saw,
but it would occupy too much time and
! space. One room was filed with all kinds of
stuffed animals, so life-like, that once Mary
Lizzie touched his little live dog, thinking it
was stuffed.
| While out walking few evenings since
we passed the house which was once the
home of Hummel, and saw his widow, a
nice looking old lady, sitting by the window.
We attended sscret concert, given under
the management Of List, few Sundays ago
in one of the churches. The singers, about
fifty in number, we're in the gallery, and the
seats were raised so that those in the rear
could be seen distinctly. Professor Theme
and two ladies were considered the best
singers. l mention this because he is nv
teacher and has quite reputation here
When we have vacation at the conservatory
, am going to take private lessons from him
We are not thinking of returning home
appreciate our advantage, too much for that
often wish that you were here with us, and
promise ourselves that Uncle William will
! let you come next year. Your loving cousin,
/. JEANETTE.
!, Cnutai.. william, pStt, C,-S.S..