The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-11
Letter from Europe.
Correspondence Of The Democratic Advocate
the Passion Play, by an Eye wieness-
IhFtiilng Interest Of the Representa-
taen.--siinpiiefty and Humility of the


STUTTGART, Aug. %, 1880.
You will be pleased to know that we
went to Ober-Ammergau, and Of course,
saw the Passion Play. One can form
very little idea of II from reading about il,
as it is 50 beautiful aud impressive. 1t Is
wonderful how these supplemented, limo
cent people can represent Christs life on
earth so truthfully, and the great aud aw-
full tragedy Of his crucifxion.
We arrived at 0ber-A mmergau on Sat
urday, at 4 P. NJ, having engaged rooms
beforehand at the house Of Mr.. Mayer, who
represents Christ lie also had our tickets
fer the play. But before going any far.
Their, will tell you how we reached there.
We first went to the grand old city Of Mu-
nich, which is celebrated for its maenif.
cent buildings, its sculpture and paintings,
aud other works Of art. We remained
there only two days, and could see, in that
time, only small portion Of its magni6-
ceaee, reserving more extended view
until another time We did 20 through
the Old Palace, and we're delighted with
its handsome paintings aud It's worldre
nowned gold bedstead, which took forty
women ten years to make. The hangings
are OF dark crimson velvet, completely GOV.
cred with pure gold embroidery, and cost
four hundred thousand dollars. We also
saw the room which contains what is called
King Ludwigs beauties, that is, portraits
of the most beautiful women 10 Europe,
one or two of whom are American ladies
who were living in Europe ut that time.
You will remember that Ludwig |, reigned
before the father ofthe present king and was
noted for his reckless extravaganza. He
had to abdieate in favor Of Macmillan.
because he had almost bankrupted the
kingdom, and for many years lived 10 re.
tirement. 1t was he WHOM Lola MoDtez
horse whipped in the streets Of Munich,
and for years had the reins Of government
in her hands. After be became conscious
OF his misdeeds his remorse was so great
that by way Of penanee be erected several
magnificent churches, one of which we saw,
built 10 imitation Of st. Peters at Rome.
1t contains the haDdsomest stained glass
windows in the world, one side of which
represents the life Of the Virgin Mary,
aud the other that Of Christ. You cannot
imagine any thing more superb. We
could have stood for hours studying them
IT We had had the time OF ali the eoun.
tries We have visited we consider Bavaria
one of the richest 10 art.
We left Munich for Marnau, which is
the terminus of the railroad. Theace BY
carriage, which took us three hours, III
the mountain, which at some places seemed
to be perpendicular After reaching the
summit, we descended again. as Ober
Ammergau lies on the other side Of III,
mountain. As | mentioned before, ",
reached there at o'clock in torrents O
rain, which continued until we left. Mr.
Mayer told us that they had not had on,
representation yet, that 1t had not poured
The first night We spent there We called
upon the different celebrities. We stayed
with the representative Of Christ; We called
on Peter, whose name is Jacob Hett. and
were delighted with him, and he is the per
seniieation Of what you would imagin,
Peter to be. There he sat 10 his work
room, with his wood carvings around him
You cannot imagine how poor and plair
they all live. When we bought his photo
graph and asked him for his autograph b,
seemed quite surprised to think we shout,
care to possess it. You may be sure tn,
visitors manifest great interest in then
and seem to regard them with much respec
and no little curiosity, but it does not seen
to have the least effect upon them. w,
next called upon the Virgin Mary. Sh
is very pretty, and so humble and unas
summing. She personifes the character ad
mirably, except that her voice is rattle
weak, which is somewhat against her
You can scarcely imagine the poverty il
which she and her mother live, and the,
say that in winter they can scarcely max,
out 10 exist. We could not lad out wher,
some OF the other characters lived, and sh,
very kindly offered to conduct US. but i
was raining so hard that we could no
continue our visits. Weeould not but fee
strange at the thought Of being conducted
through the streets by the Virgin Mary
We returned to Mr.. Mayors and took sup
per, which consisted of tea and mountain
trout, and afterwards | went about the towr
alone, and had to wade through mud nearl,
over my shoe-tops, yet Ienjoycd it immense
y. first called upon the Burgomeister, o
Mayor, who represented Caiphas, aud had
quite pleasant conversation with him
l next went to SEQ Herod, who was occu
pied at his business, baking bread, aud ex
eused himself for coming out dressed ia
his baking clothes. | had pleasant con
yersation with him also. was perfectl,
charmed with my visit to John, the be
loved disciple, aud made my visit to hin
much longer than the rest, as he was ST
entertaining Besides, learned good
deal Of pure German FROM all of them. as
they speak il perfectly, tho Play requiring
it. also called upon Mary Magdalenl
and Judas. The former did not do 5,
vel, as she did not seem adapted to hei
part. Judas acted his part to perfection.
Il is strange to say, that, after Judas had
betrayed Christ, and went out to hide him
self, the building was oTershadowed BY /
very black cloud, and il commenced Il
tighten and thunder fearfully, adding to the
effect Of the impressive scene. Barabbas
was perfect, both in himself aud his acting
At 8 o'clock in the morning, the cannon
was fired of TO warn the inhabitants that
they should repair to early mass TO prepare
themselves for the coming play. At
O'Clock Il is fired again, which informs the
people that the play is about to commence
We were all ready aud in our seats. The
first act Is Christs trinmpha entry into
Jerusalem, 10 which 1--WE hundred persons
participate. cannot describe the play
all through, but It was full Of absorbing
interest. At ~ o'clock we had recess.
Of an hour for dinner, and at o'clock the
booming Of the cannon again reminded US
that We must be In our seats. You can
not imagine anything more heartrendina
than the erucidxion. Mayer with the two
thieves hang on the cross for twenty min
utes. Many persons doubt whether b,
will able to continue his representation
throughout the season as bis task Is very try
ing and more difficult than the rest, Al
the representation before we were present
l. n