Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-13
FROM MAYENCE TO GENEVA.
Grand Old Cities, Superb Sunsets,
Beautiful Lakes, and Scenery Too
Lovely for Description.
The Siay.at-hOmes Carried Over
the Route by the Pen Of a
Fortunate Memphis Lady.

SUNNY BANK, " STAFFoRDsHIRE, |
ENGLAND, August 26, 1888,

beautifully clear day, and as we sal.
lied forth in gay spirits our ride OF five
hours seemed q little longer than so
many minutes. | wish our conduc-
tors in America had all the improve.
ments for crying out the stations as
they seem to have in Prussia and Hol-
land. For instance, they start some
thing after the whistle of the steamer
Will Kyle on (, and automatically as
cend to b fiat, slurring backwards the
interval Of a minor third, where after
pausing to.breathe, they strike b fat
again in a most spfortzando sort OF
style, fairly numbering the passengers.
When all is hushed again you are so
apt to mediate seriously as to where
you are, Notwithstanding the serious
amount of labor on the part Of the
conductors to fill their places as per
requirements. The most perplexing
feature of ones situation is to see the
contented and happy manner in which
they fold their hands, or with arms
akimbo stand, little caring whether
you had fully interpreted their mean
ing or not. However, a traveller soon
learns the ways OF winning even the
most obstinate Of these. 1t is a sim
pie remedy, but works like a charm.
Take a mark or a few pfennings in
your hand and idly toss them about
whilst you question them, and the
effect is aequal to any electric shock
you may heretofore have witnessed, |
can assure you. In our country a con.
ductor would look with scorn upon 3
pittance Of this kind, whilst his dig
nifty would never be lowered to such
an extent, nor in the leastwise would
he feel it a compliment to b. bought
over in any shape whatever. 1t isa
good plan to keep a surplus Of small
change, by which means to feel sure
that you are on the correct path. We
reached heidelberg at ll:30 am, and,
securing a cab, drove through the city
and Immediately assembled winding
drive OF the mountain slopes to the
famous old castle go feet above the
sea level. To be sure, there is con
siderable Of historical value associated
with this castle, but | should be
obliged to take up the space Of one
letter were | to attempt to do it jus.
tioe. We explored a vaulted passage
under the Friedsiehsban to the "Gfeat
Balcony" which commands a beauti-
full view Of the city, and valley Of the
Keckar, in search OF lichens, ferns and
various specimens Of geology and bot
any. Over the entrance to a gothic
structure erected by Rupert III, is a
rosary borne by two angels. Passing
through the gateway under the square
watch. tower, and crossing the bridge
over the Castle Moat, we reached the
"Schlos-G arten" laid out on the ruins
Of the Notifications. The "bloWn-up.
tower" is of such solid masonry that
when the French blew it up i1 1859.
the result was, that one>halt became
detached and fell in an unbroken mass
into the Moat. where it still remains.
And it was here in this sylvan retreat
that | gave vent TO my feelings By
way Of singing America" The tower
is % feet ia diameter, and the walls
q feet thick. Quite near stood the
Castle Of Dilsberg, which was used as
a State prison down to the beginning
Of the present century, particularly for
Heidelberg students, and the follow
ing anecdots shows how rigorous was
the confinement to which the prison.
ers were subjected: One day when
the castle was visited by strangers
who desired to see the cells, they were
told BY the officer 10 command that
he could not oblige them, as the pris.
oners were then making a tour in the
Odenwald, and had then the KEYS
with them. The "Kenigsstuhl" Is
800 feet higher than the castle. and
the tower on the top, SO feet in height,
commands a most extensive view of
the Rhine, Neckar, the Black Forest.
and even the cathedral of Strasburg,
The principle places Of interest In
Heidelberg are Hampt strasse. the
Ludwigs Platz, university buildings
and the famous "ZWei Ritters." Wei
were new on our way to Basel or Bale.
passing Baden Baden, Freibsrp. and
many beautiful spots too numerous To-
describe, but It was a very picturesque
road, to the left Of which rose The
mountains Of the Black Forest. and
now the harvest Of fun is at hand
We knew sooner or later we should
have to change carriages, and at each
and every station, we took our luggage
IRON the racks, expecting to be COM
manded accordingly. Quite a dis.
eusslon rose amongst US whether
or not we had guessed
correctly the name Of the station.
but one able Judge, the only Judge
OF the party, by the way, expostulated
with his wonderful tenaoity Of viii
power that the conductor said. "rsin
water" Another said it was "fried
goose which more nearly initiated
the real name, "Frieburg,' than apv
OF the Others. However, the rest oi
the journey 10 Basel was equally AZ
enjoyable, and one table d'hote was
very, very unpretending in character
and style. Sandwiches, served with.
out butter, and a wonderful scarcity {
Of fowl, served as a ~forerunner oy 1
harbinger Of what urappetites would
be at ll:3O pm, when we should ar.
rrlve at Basel, where we we're beauti.
fully accommodated at the "Uotel ofl |
The Three Kings" aud | shall alwavs
have a fear of having done a very
great injury to the reputation Of theI
lyerage American, owing to nv seri- l
)usly famished state, rs the host 8
lpologetiually said, when new orders I
we're given, he thought travelling was !
healthful sort Of exercise; a silent q
tut appropriate reply TO which was !
he rudy glow Of our cheeks and the b
swept tables before Us.
Quite naturally enough | FIRST find ?
myself saying words Of a c%onsoline !
md, viz: Well, it will 500 be Il
eries OF events, too quickly passed. 81
once in my school room / shall I
My have it to dream Of as one means q
Il recreation, when the toll Of the day Q
$ done. When we are on the VIM. d
TO speak, a nights rest is so soob Il
and as quickly are we. for hero o.
s our conducted programmes: A "
'a,i al $50 am. and breakfast. a.. 81
allied light rolls, coffee, honey n
butter, atIi hence to the station. o.
.Wenty minutes later, when going A.
lghtning speed we suddenly fad our.