Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-17
Some oddities Of German Life.

In no other country than Germany
could the accomplishments of veteran
ball-players be so well utilized. Instead
of carrying up bricks in the hod, they
are generally thrown up. One man
stands at the pile in the street, and one
man is placed on each staging to throw
it to the man above through a hole in
the scaffOlding. By this succession Of
relays bricks are thrown up five stories.
have never seen ''muff" made, but
usually watched the game from the
other side of the street. Another GUS
tom connected with house. building is
for the owner to give an entertainment
to the workmen when the side walls are
up. The fact is advertised to the COM
munity by a great crown Of flowers
placed on the top of the building, with
numerous flags and decorations. Work
is suspended for the day and the work
men meet the owner and invited guests
around the festive board, and after
ward dance with their wives and
daughters. ....
The Germans are fond of water, but
they prefer to take it on the outside.
Wherever there is water enough they
have free baths; and swimming schools
abound. In Vienna an enterprising
man has established bath-house e1t-
clusively for dogs, which, after being
thoroughly washed in large tubs, are
placed in cages to dry. Dogs of an
sizes and breeds and OF every social
position are admitted and charged
only with reference TO their
size. No one appreciates the spirit of
the phrase 'to work like a dogn until
be has been in Germany. The Aricka-
rec Indians call horse ''a big dog. e"
In Germany dog might as we'll be
called a little horse. About half of
the draught power is furnished by
dogs and women, and they are fire.
quently hitchod up together. 1t is not
uncommon to see dog drag ten or
twelve hundred weight. l have seen q
man and o woman get into large cart
| drawn by two large mAstiffs, and then
drive down the street at rate of which
Jehu might have been proud. A good
dog for this purpose costs from twelve
| 10 sixteen dollars. They sometimes
lead very miserable life; yet have
noticed many instances of cordial affec-
ton between master and servant. A
dog team has one advantage over a
horse team; 1t guards the property as
well as drags Il. In winter they are
often allowed, when resting or waiting,
to jump into the cart and cuddle down
in the straw. In Vienna there Is an
immense hospital and veterinary col.
lege where horses, dogs, and cats, and
all quadrupeds are received. Farriers
or boss blacksmiths are required 70
spend six months at this institution and
TO receive q certificate of graduation be-
fore setting up in business for them
selves. .-.I .Uf
With all its inconvenienoes, contra.
dictions and disadvantages, German
life isnot without rich compensation. II
the Germans have fewer material con.
veniences than we, they manage TO en-.
Joy themselves more with a great deA,
less. Fine music and drama at oheaE
4 prices, the love Of outdoor life and the
multitude Of holidays which allow him
10 crafty IL, passionate fondness fol
singing, an abundance Of beer, cheaI
wine and cigars, viii atone in the Ger
man mind for a great many other de-
flciencies. AS TO books, there Is nc
country where they are cheaper or more
abundant. Ten thousand new titles arr
HA1AseA NNpA1 1uaAs Al ANeaANI AbAh
pulsory education secures a good aver
age oultures The new Empire is far
ahead Of us, not only Ia the organiza
ton Of It's army but In the organization
Of its civil service and the conditions .oi
tenure Of office. It's schools are In many
respects superior TO ours. We have Dor,
rowed It's klndergartens, and might Dor
row with advantage some features OF il
university life. We have adopted itl
postal cards. The money-order system
rs there administered is far more con,
venient than ours. You are never
troubled 10 call at the Post-office; the
money Is brought to your door. But
above all things, who can compute oul
immense debtto German learningF tt
mention nothing else in the reckoning
Is It not remarkable that our bes
Shakespearian dictionary and our bes
English grammar should be the work O
GermansP But this time the odditY Il