Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-09
TRAVELS IN GERMANY.
INTERFERING ACCOUNT OF CITIES, PEG
PLz AND CUSTOMS
Tne Franks OF High Prncs Carnival as
witnessed at cologne-1he City Ct
s-Universities-Et

s-Universities-Ete
Written for the REooRp -UxIos By Prot. E Kemen.l
NV last letter treated of travels and
scenes in Holland. The first place we
reach on entering Germany from the west
is Aixla Chapene or Aachen, historical
city in the Raenish province of Prussia.
1t was once the residence of one of the
greatest men in ancient history-of Char.
lemsgne, or Charles the Great. His bones
are resting in the Muenster or Cathedral,
where the German Emperors were crowned
until the year 1858. This cathedral con-
tains number of relics and ancient crown.
jswels. Among the remarkable edifces
is the Court. house erected in 1858. with it's
gothic architecture aud its Kaiser-Saal or
Emperor's Halt Oh the main square is
splendid fountain and a gilded.bronzs
statue Of Charlemagne. Aix.la-Chapelle
has been from time immemorial noted
watering place. Fer this reason it has an
inviting and modern appearance, broad
streets. nice residences and large hotels.
It's hot sulphur springs enjoy high repu-
tation for their curative properties. It
was formerly great gambling place but
as gam bling has been prohibited in Prussia,
it has lost its notorety in that respect.
The population is about 10 GOO. Lying
| near the frontier of Belgium and Holland,
and on the main line Of travel between
Germany, England and France, it has
ALMOST 4 COSMOPOLITAN APPEARANCE.
You may hear four different languages
spoken in the streets almost every day.
Two daily express trains, between B srlin and
Paris, pass it !; and nearly all Western Eu-
rope, visiting the Rhine, takes this route.
From Aix-ls -Cbapelle we branchsd off to-
wards Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, not wish
| ing to leave this place in the rear on our
| journey up the Rhine, as it is an interest
ing city. After passing Krefeld, very
/ industrious and pretty town of about
| 80, 600 inhabitants, laid out in walks and
| lined with trees, we crossed the Rhine and
were in Dusseldorf This is the seat of
government of the Rhenish province. The
! town is divided into threei parts the Old
and Neg-town and Karlstadt; the latter
is the prettiest. There are several large
! and beautiful sguares, among which is the
g Marktplatz with a colossal statue of
Prince John William. The surroundings
Of Dusseldorf are attractive, and she city
itself is lively and busy place. The fine
arts are greatly cultivated and its cele-
brated academy of painting has over four
hundred pupils. The department of sculpt.
ure is also well represented. Continuing
our journey we arrived at
DKUTz, OPPOSITE COLOGNE,
OF which it is suburb. In former years
only pontoon bridge led across the Rhine,
but now fine railroad bridge spans both
banks of the river. Both sides are lined
with large hotels, all anxious to catch the
wealthy travellers and tourists from abroad
The principal ones among them are the
| Hotel Royal, de Hollande, P.inz Carl, and
the Hotel Disch, which is centrally located
| We had arrived at an interesting time for
the good people Of Cologne, as it was car
nival time. Those who have never seen a
large city gone crazy should visit Cologne
on such an occasion. After Rome and We
nice Cologne takes the palm for mirthful
and extravagant demeanor during carni-
val. Everybody is in duty bound to go out
travestied and disguised for three days,
under penalties which We shall try to de.
scribe, and which is not soon forgotten if
one negiects to submit to the general usage.
Woe to the rebellious or innocent stranger
who does not take heed Of these friendly
warnings On Saturday evening, preced-
ing ASH. Wednesday, the fun commences.
Numerous masks are seen patroling the
streets the theaters, cafes and public re-
sorts have changed their usual appearance.
PRINCE cARNIvAL's REIGN
Has begun. TIE ever-watchful and extra
ordinarily severe Prussian police has van.
ished and given way 20 turbulent and
seemingly wicked and disordered crowd
We say seemingly, for, beneath this apps
rent disorder and RIGHTEOUSNESS there is
a spirit of long-restrained mirth and free
dom which gives vent to it's feelings under
the guise of mask. On the following
days no business is transacted the stores
are closed aud the churches might as well
be, for few worshipers are seen there.
The town Is crszy-literally crazy. At
noon the grand carnivalistio procession be.
gins. For several months previous mum
} Der of societies, headed by the Weather
class of citizens, have been preparing fol
the occasion, and large amount of money
has been invested to make these professions
brilliant and imposing. Some individuals
contribute several thousand marks to the
general fund. Figure to yourself nun.
bred or mere pompously decorated chair.
ots, cars and carriages full OF masks repre-
senting all kinds Of
ALLEeoRIEs OR RIDICULOUS SCENES,
IHterspersed by numerous knights, oava
liers and pedestrians, and accompanied by
several bands of music, parading the
streets, while the multitude Of spectators
are nearly all disguised and wear grotesque
masks. Now let an innocent stranger appear
in his every day suit and watch his expert.
ence Of the carnival Of Cologne. In a
moment he is surrounded by frolicsome
Harlequins, Paillasos and other satellites
OF Prince Carnival. They form solid
chain around him, through which he can
not escape, and before long they make him
almost envy the fate of football II he
las ever read the story of Sancho Psnza,
lifted up on blsnket, in Don Qaixote, F"
he will understand that worshys feelings.
And should he happen TO wear cylinder
hat, few rogues, dressed in woman's at
tire, will take mold of him and pass an old
coffee OF hous sack over his head and pull
it down TO his knees. When one band has
left him another takes him up, and the
greater his remonstrsnces the greater the
a
Gaerzenicn and witnessed spectacle worth
seeing. There must have been over two
Thousand people, all masked, and dancing
in q single hail. We also saw the Alter
and Neuer Kuhberg. two large halls equally
full OF masked people. the most attract.
i've part of these balls Is the wit humor
,rh,oh 1pa haaru ~, all s,Ga-