Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-17
TRAVELS IN GERMANY.
BRIEF SKETCHES CONCERNING PLACES
AND OBJECTS OF INTEREST.
Fortified cities and Ancient Cathedrals-
strolls About Hanover-TraVeling
in Government stages-Etc.
rrrom = K,,rs for the -UNos.l

y strongly fortified town anu SeHPoi' VI
The Northern confines of Germany. Deep.
going vessels do not reach it, however, and
lave to stop at Pillau, smaller town and
fortress. few miles from it. The first
King of Prussia, Frederick l., was crowned
there in l7Ol. 1t was the birthplace of
Kant, the philosopher. Koenigsberg, with
it's 27o streets and alleys, has an old ap-
pesrance. There are some remarkable
buildings, however, such as the Royal
Palace, the Courthouse, the Cathedral.
the Theater, the Observatory, the Lyceum
and the University, which was founded in
1874. Danzig and Stettin are two strong
fortresses and seaports on the Baltic sea,
and are of Importance, as shipping and
commercial places, to the northern part of
Germany. Although populous cities, they
do not offer much attraction to strangers.
The next places of interest are
BREMEN AND HAMBURG.
Both are free cities and we'll known IS i'm.
portant seaports, especially the latter.
Bremen lies on both sides of the river
Weser, distant about fifty miles from the
North Sea. The real port for deep sea-
going vessels is Bremerskaven, smaller
place, at the mouth of the river. Bremen
was formerly fortified, and the place where
the Notifications stood has been trans.
formed into fine walks, which surround the
town, The streets are old and narrow,
but kept very clean the houses are lofty
and provided with huge gables, and, on
the whole, the city has an inviting appear
ance. Among the curiosities are the
Bleikeller," or lead cellar, under the
cathedral, where the corpses do not decay,
but dry up and are changed Tito mummies I;
the "Rathskeller," celebrated cellar
underneath the Courthouse, with its
twelve apostles huge wine barrels) con-
tanning the Oldest and most precious of
Rhine wine, of which one kind dates from
the year 1924, and whose drops are said to
be worth go many dollars and the Church
of our Lady, which has a tower 324 feet
high. Hamburg is
THE COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS
OF Germany, and otter Liverpool, the most
important seaport in Europe. Like all
great seaports, it has cosmopolitan look,
with regard to life, manner and customs.
It is divided into the old and the new city.
The former was nearly destroyed by great
fire in the year 1912, which swept over the
principal public edifces, including several
fine churches. The old part of the city has
Dutch appearance, with its high-gabled
and strangely decorated houses, dark and
crooked streets while the new portion has
almost an italian look, and is filled with
fine, glittering and fat-roofed buildings,
resembling those of a southern cline.
There are beautiful churches in Hamburg.
One of them, the st. Michael, has tower
AGO feet high. Large and splendid hotels
accommodate the numerous strangers. Be-
sides the thesters, there are
INNUMERABLE PLEASURE RESORTS
Such as concert halls, ball rooms, etc.
Many of the latter are of low order, and
have procured an unenviable reputation
for the city. Until late years the licenti-
BUSINESS of Hamburg has, perhaps, never
been equaled by any city in the world.
Strict regulations are now enforced to
check immortality. Hamburg and Bremen
tide of German emigrants. Turning south
ward we reach another place of interest to
strangers, viz Hanover, capital of that
exkingdom, now a Prussian province.
When Prussia and Austria were contend
ing for the supremacy in Germany, not
many years ago, Hanover, with other
Gsrman States, took sides with Austria,
but unlike Bavaria and other States, it did
Il A.
and fought to the bitter end. For this it
lost its nationality and was Incorporated in
the realm of the victor. The success of
Prussia in the late Franco-German war,
and its subsequent prestige, has partly
reconciled the Hanoverians to their pres
ent condition; but there is
STILL A HOSTILE FEELING
Towards that power noticeable among q
large number of the inhabitants. In all
questions of a national character, however,
the patriotic feeling of the majority of
Germans in all parts of the Empire may be
expressed in these words: Before being
Prussians, Bavsriaus, Saxons, Hanoveri-
ans, Wurtembergians, ETC., we are Ger
mans and this is but a just and natural
feeling. Yet there is nothing like success
in this world. Had Germany been beaten
in that last war, Prussia would have been
detested and execrated by all Germany.
As long as twas capital and royal abode,
Hanover presented gay and brilliant ap-
pearance but since the downfall of the
monarchy it has fallen into the dull every
day routine Of provincial town. Near
the railroad depot ia
THE SEMI. CIRCULAR WATERLOO PLACE,
Lined with fine hotels. Here stands q
monument erected in honor OF Lebnitz,
the celebrated philosopher, and also one in
remembrance of the battle of Waterloo.
The latter is l57 feet high. 1t can be
assembled by means of staircase. Besides
the ex.royal palace and few others in
town, the ex.royal summer palaces OF Her.
renhausen and Montbrillsnt, in the vicinity
of Hanover, are worth seeing. The
Opera house is celebrated as one of the
finest in Germany. The yearly subsidy it
enjoyed during the defunct Kings reign,
and which is partly continued by the En-
Deror of Germany, was 100000 thalers
With such means the best operate forces
were engaged. We remember having seen
the deceased blind King at the opera, en-
joying the music to his hearts content and
applsuding vigorously, although we noticed
once that the poor man had turned In the
wrong direction while applauding.
THE HISTORY OF THIS BLIND KING
Is sad one. One curious feature in his
life was that he had to preside over sll the
court ceremonies, and follow the etiquette
becoming his high station, as though he
had his full eyesight. This was carried 60
far that on certain occasions his Majesty
held grand reviews of his soldiers on horse
back This was done probably to satisfy
the curiosity of his subjects, and to make
them forget that he was blind. How his
horse was managed for him we do not pre-
tend to know but this is historical fact
Adjoining Hanover on the west is the
small but populous province of Westphalis,
once forming for a short time the kingdom