The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-10-27

ests faded out OF existence without any
rude shock to the business of the place
The baths have become more popular than
ever. The winter as well as the summer
finds the hotels filed with guests, while
many influential and wealthy German fam
lies are now making it their permanent
place of residence.
The permanent population of the town
is about twelve thousand, but there is now
an annual influx of about forty thousand
visitors, all of whom find convenient and
luxurious accommodations The most at
tractive building in the place is the ''Con-
versationshaus. The building itself would
arrest the attention of any passer-by entire
ly unacquainted with its history or uses
1t is in the Renaissance style, with beau
tiful portico, adorned with Corinthian col
umns. 1t contained the famous gambling
saloons, which still keep their place and
appointments, while the entire character of
the place has undergone such a radical
change An elegant "Conversationssall' or
grand assembly room, occupies the center
of the building. In this are held balls,
masquerades and concerts. The furnish
ings are of the most elegant order The
two saloons formerly devoted to gambling,
open from this grand; -bezutiful room on
either side. They look inofensive and
harmless enough now, spite of all the mis-
cry they have wrought There is only an
oppressive silence resting upon them, ex-
isting, probably in the intruder's imagina-
ton, as the fateful threshold is crossed
The rooms are not large, and have about
them rather an air of refinement than the
gaudy glitter and hollow show we had
thought to find The foot sinks into
soft velvet carpet, the walls are beautiful
with choice paintings, and nothing but the
tables carries suggestion of the former
uses of the place.
Many other saloons, some large and some
small, open off from these rooms of princi-
pal interest, and are either named from the
paintings on their walls or from the use to
which they are put The two with the
gaming tables are respectively known as
the Landscape saloon and the Italian saloon
Nothing seems to have been forgotten or
neglected that could have added single
attraction to the place in the days of its
first existence. Victims were allured to
it of all grades and all tastes None were
forgotten.
Outside of the "Conversationshaus
there is no lack of attractions. A magni-
fcent lawn stretches out in front of it on
the south side Here seats for open air
evening concerts are arranged, with a pa
vilion for musicians; fireworks and gay
lights to add to the brilliant effect of its
evening entertainment Booths, with the
choicest of goods, are arranged in an ar
tistic manner under the arcade which leads
from the grounds.
1t is a most curious and restful way of
shopping, to sit through fine selection
from an opera in this most delightful gar
den and then between the pieces dash into
the attractive little stores to select some
thing from the exquisite wood or ivory
carvings or beautiful specimens of choice
glass to take away as mementoes of the
place, and to assure ourselves and friends
that we have actually strolled through its
fairy-like scenes. The Swiss clocks which
are shown us here are more ingenious and
elaborate than any we have seen elsewhere,
and the glassware more beautiful than in
Venice
The "Trinkhalle' comes next in interest
after the "Conversationshaus," and is out
wardly perhaps even more ornamental than
that famous building whose two notable
saloons recalls so wildly to our memory
the wonderful picture of Dore's which is
so valued in London for its faithful delin-
cation of the fearful passions of the human
heart when developed by the teachings Of
the gamblers saloon. The hall stands in
a most lovely location, and has portico or
arcade supported by sixteen Corinthian
pillars of white sandstone The walls are
covered with fine frescoes representing
scenes from the legends of the Black For
est. Back of the beautiful portico is very
fine drinking saloon, containing colored
marble fountain, into the basin of which
the waters of the hot mineral springs are
forced through concealed pipes.
These hot springs prove one OF the great
est attractions of the place. They are sit
uated on the slope of the Schlossberg
They Jield over one hundred gallons per
minute, and vary from 113 deg. to 158
deg Fahr, in temperature. The Fried
richsbad, the principal bath-house, is fine
modern building in the Renaissance style,
pleasantly situated ON terraces rising above
the Steinstrasse, near the springs. ltcon-
tains hot and cold baths, electric baths,
and an inhaling room on the lower floor;
above these are Turkish baths and bathing
rooms of still more luxurious character
One of these springs, the Lithium, is con-
sidered effcacious in cases of gout.
The environs of Baden are more than
ordinarily beautiful The variety Of the
drives and walks prevents anything like
monotony, let ones visit be ever so pro-
longed Delightful excursions in the neigh
borhood can be made with very little IA
tigue and each day only strengthens the
desire of the visitor for more. Originally,
it was simply summer watering place
intended for the amusement of the more
changeable class Since the rule of the
last two Grand Dukes, the winter has
proved as attractive to those who enjoy
long season of repose, as the summers OF
old did to fortune-hunters. In the mind
of the visitor it must always leave lasting
picture of surprising beauty. 1t is GER
tainly one Of Natures fairest gems, and the
setting is worthy the jewel.
The Profit of Farming.