Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-23
NO. 46.
Dailu kennettr .3ournal.
IContinucd.l
ny TRIP 70 EUROPE.

Baden Baden, GermdRy, July SS.-We
reached this place yesterday by rail at about
o'clock, after a ride of some three hours
through beautiful, well cultivated and fer
tile country, passing by several villages,
not so attractive. In this part Of Germany,
the fields and valleys are intcrsperscd with
hills and heights covered with wood. We
are now on the borders Of what is called the
Blaek. Forest, which extends to the west
ward of Baden. The railroads, wherever we :
have travelled thus far. have double tracks,
so that collisions are out of the question.
The tracks are smooth, and the cars comfor-
table and luxurious. One in which we rode
yesterday, could he changed into a sort Of
sleeping car by re-arrangiag the cushions, Of
which there was second set that could be
pulled out like drawers.
have spoken of cows being yoketl to draw
together; l should have said they are tied to-
gether with ropes around their horns. In one
case saw single COW drawing a cart.
Horses are frequently. If not usually, har-
messed on one side Of tongue, instead Of be-
tween thills, when one horse only is used f,r
drawing load. The carts are rude, clumsy
and heavy.
In Heidelberg and in Baden, the windows
of many houses have shutters, with small
blinds in the centre, the Stats Of which are
movable. In Holland blinds similar to thosc
used in New England were frequently seen,
but not in Germany. The buildings in this
part of Germany, are usually Of stone.
and largely of red sandstone, which is
abundant. Frequently the stone 10
faced with current with smooth paint
cd surface. The backsile Of houses 10
plastered with rough-cast Costly buildings
are built Of marble. Railway stations ar
usually built ofbrick. A timber frame ap-
pears to have been erected, and then fllcd in
with brick. and painted. The whole frame
shows out side, but inside is covered with
plaster In Baden some of the best houses
have their windows glazed with convex glass;
why, | did not learn. In Holland, and in
some of the German towns II Is not uncom-
mon to notice just out side Of one or more
windows of house, two small mirrors placed
at right angles 10 each other. This enables
the ladies to see what is In the street, without
putting their heads out of the window.
Baden is the capital city Of the Grand
Duchy of Baden. 1t is called Baden Baden
to distinguish IL from several other Balcns in
Germany and Switzerland. 1t Il beautifully
situated in a valley, with heights on each
side delightful feature in the landscape
is a swift running brook or stream 20 or 30
feet wide, which rushcs through the city.
sometimes making its way between rows of
buildings. but for long distances bordcrcd by
green, grassy banks. II is spanncd by nu.
merous light bridges, some longer and some
| shorter, according to the height and slope Of
| the banks. Across the street from our hotel,
| is fine garden and grove, with walks and
benches, extending to the margin Of the
stream. Thousands and thousands Of travel
ers and transient visitors have fingered by
the brook admring its perpetual how and
have gone their various ways. and still its
waters are ms bright and rapid in their course
As ever Ii reminds one of Tcnnyson's
brook. and the refrain,
"For may come. and men may 20.
Tut flow on forever"
| The houses in Baden are mostly placed
good distance apart. Groves and avenues Of
trees and ornamental flower gardens, abound.
| Though Baden boasts Of but six or eight
thousand inhabitants, il has from 90 to &c, 600
summer visitors in the height Of the fashions
able season. from June to September.
TRISKmALLE.
We took long walk in the afternoon, GO
ing first to the Trinkhalle, or spring house.
There are I3 mineral springs in Baden. Of a
| saline character. varying from III to 154 de-
grees Fahrenheit. The principal one. called
Urusprung, discharges in ~ hours, 200 Gu
bic feet Of water, supplying numerous hotels
and bathing houses. These springs were
known to the Romans in ancient times.
KuRsAAL.
Baden, in former years, has probably been
more resortcd to for gambling than any other
place in the world We visited the knrsaal,
or conversation house, as 1t Is called; hut
that name was only pretence, as the build
ing was erected for gaming chiefly, IL not
1 rh<,ll oh av.t
has. by the strong hand Of power, put nm end
to public gambling, the building erected and
adorned bv means Of the profits Of the gam
ing tables. still remains TO excite the admira.
tion and wonder Of bcholders. II is q build
ing Of large size, with colonnade in front,
ascendcd by flights Of steps. The wall facing
the colonnade is ornamented with several fine
paintings. The interior Of the structure 10
magnificent beyond description. There are
some dozen or twenty large rooms, high and
airy. The walls and ceilings Of each are
adorned with beautiful paintings No two
rooms resemble each other. Artists have ex-
hausted their ingenuity to diversity the orna-
mcntation. The most splendid chandeliers
hang in each Of the principal rooms. In one
. room. now used for evening concerts, was .
: glass chandelier between 10 and Is feet in d.
e ameter, with multitudes Of burners. There
, were smaller chandeliers in each corner the
{ same room. In other rooms, the chandelier
Z were Of brass, or Of some painted metal. In
: each corner Of the larger rooms, was the
statute Of female with the shoulders and
bust naked. There is a ball room ~ splen-
did a. the concert room. and every Saturday
night ball is held, and dancing much oftener.
' We noticed in one Of the smaller rooms, par
ties playing games, but no appearance Of
I gambling. Yet in this palace 90 brilliant and
fair to view, how many have been led step by
n step to ruin! What fortunes have been lost
What virtuous habits and pripciples have
! been gradually undermined and swallowed
mp in the excitement Of play! What evil
passions have had their birth and growth IN
the atmosphere Of these gaming tables
How many who entered there with high hopes,
have gone out in despair and misery, and
perhaps crowned their madness with suicide
On the corridors, chairs made Of Aexible
iron abound for all visitors. In front Of the
building is an open square or garden, and I
music stand, where band plAys from
O'Clock to in the forenoon, from . 70 h
the afternoon, and again IN the evening.
large concourse assemblies here On 0,ese &C
casions, especially in tie evening We -
(. and listened to ths band fbs n hsuR a h
.erf