The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-06

might be seen persons of all conditions
vending their way thither through the
streets, and very many old-timed people,
whom the latest Partisan novelties never
agitate, dressed in their quaint Bavarian
costumes the old men in tight black vel
vet or corduroy pants, tight-kneed, with
long hose and low shoes, with long vests
containing numberless buttons overlap
ping each other, and over all the conven-
tional overcoat reaching to the ankles,
men in equally heavy habiliments a thick
braided jacket, and wooden skirts of vol
luminous folds-the head adornments be-
ing simply, instead of bonnet or hat the
back hair adorned with many pendant
loops of wide, black ribbon The pictur-
esque grouping of this vast assembly was
curious enough to our American eyes, as
we sat with them in the old church and
observed their perfect silence and intense
interest in all the service. One thing
was discordant with our pre-conceived
ideas of Lutheranism, the sight of an i'm
mense crucifx in front of the congrega-
ton, and the P7faarer" in long robes Of
floating before the high altar, informing
parts of the service, to which splendid
choir of boys voices responded, sonorous
and beautiful. But the sermon after
wards, seemed most earnest and impress
sive, Judging from the undated interest
depicted in every face; of its merits we
were unable to judge, not understanding
one word in taoeuty.
The King of Bavaria's Birthday
But greater crowd than this assembled
at the same hour, on the 25th of August,
grand day throughout all Bavaria, the
Kings birthday, and also the anniversary
of the seven hundred years regular sue
cession of the Wittelsback family to the
kingly throne, and being sectional the
whole population seemed inspired to
make it a grand outpouring. Peasants
came early from all the regions round
about and swelled the grand procession
of Sunday School and day school boys
and girls; soldiers in full uniforms; even
the old-fashioned ones Of two hundred
years ago had representatives while
young maidens, bare-headed and dressed
in the Bavarian colors, blue and white,
headed the long procession. All marched
into the church so slowly and orderly
How oddly, this unquestioning loyalty
struck us Americans, when we remem-
bered that no earnest Presidential call
even for Thanksgiving, could ever. bring
our nation SO obediently together. In
the afternoon great numbers repaired to
the "Rellars," situated in the neighbor-
ing hills, to finish off the days reioicings
and drink to their Monarch's health in
mugs Of beer; while he, odd King, some
said, would not once show himself to his
people in Munich, but hide away per-
chance, as he is wont to do, in the High
lands of Bavaria
On the Road to Oberammergan.
The railroad from Munich to Oberam-
morgan, winds round the beautiful Lake
of Starnberg or Wdrm See, of which
we had wondrous visions from our car
window, and which Immediately begot an
intense desire to see it more thoroughly
on our return, for we must linger a few
days on its green messy banks. At Muir
man, the end of the line, we beheld null
titudes Of carriages and wagons, and all
sorts of newly improvised vehicles, show
ing us that the supply was equal to the
demand, and quoting all fears of our in
ability to procure a conveyance, although
the train was so crowded with all condi-
tions of people, running wild to see the
Passion Play. But we took matters more
quietly, preferring to rest over night in
this queer little town and give the bright
morning light for our visions of the Bava-
rian Highlands, so grand and picturesque.
Our carriage road wound about the banks
of the prettily flowing Loisach, with
mountains towering on either hand, and
soon our way seemed blocked entirely by
the high Ettal range before US. Leaving
our carriage empty, and the struggling
horses, who seemed to have more than
they could accomplish then, even with
an additional span, we climbed up it's
steep mountain sides to its summit, and
were rewarded by a charming view Of the
pretty little village of Ettal and its con.
spicuous Benedictine Monastery, whose
devoted" brothers, it is claimed, first
taught the Passion Play. Then an even
road for the rest of the way, through an
avenue of mountain ash, all loaded with
its bright red berries and before we
enter 0berammergan, our attention is
riveted on the peculiarly formed high
jutting cliff of the Kofei with it's huge
cross. This keeps ever in our view until
we bring up at Burgomaster Lang's Of