Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-11
DRESDEN.
SOCIAL LIFE IN THAT CIrY-ENTER-
TAINHENTS.
Outdoor Epjoyments-A Gala Fay at the
Saxon Court Musical Recrea-
tions-Cofee Parties.

tions-Cogee Parties.
Correspondence OF the RECORD UE1os.l
DRESDEN, February Is, 1882.
The severity of winter in Germany is
myth speak now from experience
Thus far we have not been favored with
one genuine snow. storm no snow. balling,
NO snow forts, no jingling of merry sleigh
bells, nothing in fact to confirm our faith
in traditional German winter. True, the
sun persistently refuses to shine. Bat
Heine said, 1.-THE sun in Germany always
wears flannel jacket, and he probably
knew why he made this remark. In spite
OF all these drawbacks Dresden has man
aged to keep up a continual round of ex.
elements for thae on pleasant bent. Every
night the Royal Theater has offered an at.
tractive play or opera; and besides the
symphony concerts by the royal orchestra
and the occasional concert. Mansfeldt has
provided musical feast for every evening
during the week, with extra attractions on
Thursday and Saturday evenings, with
out smoke"
THE MANsFELDr CONCERTS
Are always crowded, and no wonder ;
classical music is executed by an immense
orchestra, with occasional violin and harp
solos from different artists of distinction,
extending through three hours, for the
paltry sum of something less than twenty
ems. It is second only to theater TO
sit and observe companies gathered around
the different tables. Any evening you can
sec here an old gentleman and his wife
with their dearly-loved glasses of beer
before them and as the old lady plies her
knitting, her white-haired husband sits
with his head thrown back, his hands
folded upon the head of his cane, and his
enraptured eyes fixed immovably upon the
music stand; and there, an English board.
ing school, with an older and wiser head
at each end, who cast furtive glances up
and down the rows of maidens as they de-
murely crochet, embroider or knit. At
neighborly distance you can see group of
officers in white kids, blue and white uni.
forms with epaulets or black and red with
epsulets and brass buttons. In the cor.
ners, at the small tables, there is never
room for more than two, and these two
show by their beaming countensnces that
they are completely absorbed in the music.
COFFEE PARTIRs
Are playing quite an important part in the
winter anusements. These belong exolu-
siyely to the dominion of ladies'. Invita-.
tons are generally issued for 4 o'clock !;
and to fail in punctuality ia an unpardon-
able breach of etiquette in Dresden. I'm.
medlately upon the arrival of the guests,
they are ushered into the coffee-rOom. The
coffee is generally served with coffee cake !;
occasionally, however, a variety is per-
mitted. Presently lady produces from
little work-bag some kind of hand work,
and then the "solid comfort" begins for
az they ply the needles and sip their coffee,
their tongues also find "sweet employ"
Most German ladies speak English, French
and German many have Travelled, there.
fore views on painting, sculpture, music,
literature, and the attractions of various
large cities are freely discussed. But we
do feel little ashamed of the backward.
ness OF our great western city when asked,
-" Have you a good guide-book for San
Francisco 2" This course continues for
more than an hour. when fruit, cake and
wine appear at about 7 each lady folds
her work, bids "adieu" all around and
takes her departure. An American lady
who had recently arrived in Dresden, on
being invited to attend coffee party,
asked permission to take friend, which
was politely granted. But judge of the
surprise of said friend, on his arrival, to
find himself, the only gentleman, among
about twenty ladies. Being an American,
and finding many Of the ladies young, he
proved equal to the emergency, and declared
to his friend on the way home, d" IT'S
sweet to converse in foreign tongue, when
the foreign bellies are pretty and young"
SKATING
Has been the rage for the past few weeks |
the favorite resorts being the zginger
pond, near the castle, and the big pond in
the "Grossen Garten," or city park. In
the afternoon and evening both of these
places generally present bright and cheer.
ful scene. Everybody skstes, from chill
dren of 5 or 6 years to the white. haired
grandfather. Seats are stationed around |
the edge of the pond. and in the center a |
house for the musicians. During a pause |
in the music graceful and accomplished ex. |
perts can be seen turning fancy curves. |
skating backward, and performing every |
kind of intricate evolution. |
others CALAMITY instruotiDg timid maidens |
servants pushing children IN swan OF rock
away sleds. But presently the "band be-
gias to play" and all fall into rank and
in epaulets, women in furs,
soldiers in red caps and brass buttons, girls |
in iaunty costumes, sleds of every descrip.
lion, and boys in blue, white aud green
school caps-all mingled in the happy
.hrong that circles round and round the
pond IN time to the merry music. Both
The English and American girls skate well,
1ut the palm is granted to the Americans
n skating as well as in dancing.
TIE SAXON COURT
las proved the cynosurs of all eyes for
he past week. Not only the Germans
,ut the pilgrims and strangers have turned
curious glances and eager ears to each
laws proceedings. Last week the papers
nnounced that "Her Majesty Queen
Victoria had conferred the Order OF the
Iarter upon His Majesty Albert, King of
and on Monday the arrival of the
English embassy caused futser in the
curt circle, which extended the length
nd breadth of the Kingdom All the
Feek the British flag foated side by side
With the Saxon banner from the Ho-
Ell Bellevue. on the Terrace, near the (
astle, where the ambassadors were enter.
aimed. The ceremony of the inveatiture I
ook place on Tuesday, between half past
2 and o'clock, during which time no
7agons or street-cars were allowed to run
etween the castle and the Catholic
hurch. Although there was no street
arade, every available spot between the J
otel aad castle was crowded with specta- /
ors esger to view the embassy and guests q
, they drove into the court Of the castle. I
hev passfd throI oh lines of soldiars xxbo [