The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-08-02
In Foreign Lands.
From our own Correspondent.

From our own Correspondent.
ZURICH, Germany. July 16, 1884.
Some writer has said that il we should
speak Of the "0ld Castle OF Heidelberg" as
"the old stone house on huckleberry hill,'
many Of the poetic aud romantic associa
lions would be lost, although tie literal
meaning would remsin the eame and
while this may I've tFre to certain extent,
Vtho word Heidelberg aioaning HOaAiSg
more than 'Sh1cklebcrTy mountain;" yet it
Is also true that for one who has ever had
the pleasure Of seeing this grand old castle
tho finest ruin in Germany-no change
Of name can ever change or obLiteuate The
msmory.
The city Of Heidelberg M most delight.
folly sitMated iI tbe narrow valley Of the
Necksr, just at ts Junction with the valley
OF the Rhine; and the castle, which for
several centuries vas the seat Of the Palat-
inats, and was regarded as one of the most
impregnable fortresses of Europe, overhaogs
the valley on the south side Of the river,
and about 500 feet above the city. II con-
sists Of numerous towers and other defens-
i've works, together with the remains Of
the palaces which were built and occupied
at different periods in 1t history, the whole
protected by moat not less than fifty feet
in width and from thirty to forty feet IN
depth, the main entrance being formerly
over drawbridge and through o narrow
passage in watch tower, closed by a mas
sive portcullls, whose threatening iron
points can still been seen above our heads
as We enter. One of the most important
towers was blown up by the French in 1859
and 90 great was the strength Of the mason.
~ that Q large portion Of the wall, nearly
twenty feet in thickness, fell outward with
out crumblng and still lies in the moat,
monum6n TO the skill of the masons who
erected this mighty fortress. Nearly hun
dred years later the castle was struck by
lightning and since that time no attempt
NJ restoration has been made. In one of
the cellars 10 the celebrated |un" or wine
cask, the largest ever constructed. It is as
large as a small house, having a length OF
thrty-two feet, a vertical diameter of TWEEN
ty'sx teet and q horizontal diameter Of
twenty-five feet and holding about sc, 900
gallons or nearly ] 900 barrels. It was
built more than one hunarsd years ago and
has been filled several times, but is at pres
ent unused.
About 700 feet aboye the castle, on the
top OF the mountain, 10 the Konigsstuhl, or
King's Seat, with a tower which comman
She finest view we hsye as yet seen in
Europe. It includes a large portion Of the
fertile plain OF the Rhine and the valley OF
tho NeckaT, with the rivers winding away
TO ihe northward until they unite at Mann
heim, and on the east and south the dark
nnbroken green Of the Black Forest, with
the odenwald, the suabian and .he Taurus
mountains In the distance. Looking west.
ward towards the Rhine, the scene is not
unlike that from the Catskill Mountain
House, looking towards the Hudson; but
with the added advantage that here the
mountains, although much lower, rise ab-
Tuptly from the plain, while the point Of
observation is the highest for macy miles,
thus giyinga an extensive view Of the forests,
mountains and valleys on the north, east
and south.
The University Of Heidelberg is one Of
the most famous in Europe, but its buildings
are in no way commensurate with its great
reputation. The plain, diney structures
which are pointed out as the University
buildings are in striking contrast To the
nassiye and elegant halls erected by many
Of the colleges and universities Of America
A majority Of the students are faithful, hard.
working seekers after know ledge, but duel
ling and dissipation constitute the amuss
1nsnt Of too large a portion. The duellinR
tsa mere farce, slender swords being used
Ahsrpsned only al the point, while the up.
Per portion Of the face and the chest ara
protected with wire screen. A ieneinI
master stands By the side Of each Of th,
oontsstantstO 70 ward Of any blbw that may
seem dangerous, and the sham dght goeI
on until one or the other has received .
wound, usually in the lower part Of th'
face, the scar from which will form au
honorable ~ record Of university life. W,
saw some dossns Of these dsRgured faces
about the city, while others whose wounds
had not yet healed were going about with
their eountsnSnees plAslsred up as though
they had been enjoying an interview with
belligsrant cat.
Baden Baden, about two hours ride sou III,
ward from HeidelbsrR,is, We were informed
by the clerk Of our hotel there, "ths prettl,
est place in Germany" and after q few
hours spent in looking over Us attractions
We were not inclined to dispute his state.
msnt Il Is situated in a lovely valley
surrounded by wooded hills just at the ed 4
Of the Black Forest; aud shares with Wi .
baden tAs honor Of being Sns Of the 1--WE