Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
HEIDELBERG GERMANY.

holiday week called Fetertage. The
Germans have many holidays in which
they feast and drink and musical bands
play lively tunes. 1t is difficult to
say whether beer and music were made
for the German or the German fol-
beer and music.
The Empress of Austria has just
left Heidelberg after a stay of some
weeks. She lived in stylish little
hotel on the grounds of the ED castle,
Hotel DIES Schlosses. While here a
brass band of Heidelberg surrounded
the little hotel and serenaded her, for
which gallant action she presented the
leader of the band with a costly dia-
mond pin. To the ordinary American
mind she might be called eccentric,
and the balance Of her mind held
"sub judice". She spends her time
after the manner of men. She fences
with the sword from one to four hours
day with fencing master of Heidel-
berg who would weigh about $50 lbs
Though she is a grandmother of a
year old she rides and drives like a
young girl. She is famous fox hun
ter and when she goes to England she
has her horses and dogs and equipage
sent to her. It is said she will hunt
foxes for three weeks at time and
then make visit Of whole hour or
two with Queen Victoria She seems
to live home with the Emperor very
little, but travels around to her favor
tie places of which Heidelberg is one
She tends toward the mania that life S
pleasure exists in physical action. She
avoids the public for by-ways and late
and early excursions. Heidelberg is
proud Of her presence and all foreign
ers of which it is a noted European
resort. The other day [ saw no less
than 365 foreigners numbered in one
of the daily papers. Americans and
English constitute the most.
1t is a peculiar observation how
change Of locality effects a mans
moral idea of right and wrong. At
home these men say this is right and
that is wrong or at least SO considered
by the public. Abroad he assumes
questionable liberties of man
ners, rights and morals with an appar-
ent automatic action and non refer
ence to conscience. In short transat-
lantic wrong becomes as atlantic good.
A short time ago we had circus
week. This was novel and very
amusing. They mingIe the sublime,
instructive and beautiful in
one. The circus shows a week. It
will have a picture 20x15 # of the
crucifying of Christ in one place and
a few feet from it the most hideous,
ridiculous looking clown shouting for
people TO enter an automatic theater.
The everlasting circular swing Gamer
ican) is here with the customary
white horse. There are about 80
wooden horses fastened on it in all
attitudes and with the varigated colors
of Kaleidoscope. A ride in it for
abouts five minutes costs 3 pfennig or
"a of a cent. The strongest man of
Europe can be seen for 10 pfennige
or 2 IL cents The most attractive
IS tie shooting galleries, at least to
students. There are many Of these
galleries and they are each presided
over by several Of the most beautiful
girls that can be hired in the land.
The galleries are likewise made as
beautiful as possible. Air guns are
used and the target is a glass ball
which IS kept in the air by the force
OF stream of water about the size of
straw. The ball is steady except an
upward and downward motion. A
shot costs 10 pfennig or 2 IL cents.
Scarcely any animals are shown and
no acting is done Music is the chief
characteristic. The circus men seem
to be considered honorable. The
dancing of children 5 or years old
is very interesting. To a stranger it
appears very odd affair, but it is no
more odd or eccentric than the people
in their action. You will certainly
see the ''uneaqually yoked'' here, In
going along the principal streets Of
Heidelberg you will stop in astonish-
ment to see large horse hitched
alongside of fat sleek cow and both
as quietly and peacably drawing d
wagon as the coming lion and lamb are
to treat each other. They
soon become adapted to each other in
gait though the horse appears to
think he is being held back a genera
ton or two The horse pulls with a
collar and the COW pulls with a piece
of iron put over her forehead just
below the horns.
Heidelberg is in mourning over the
loss of its oldest and most famous
Professor of law. His full title is Herr
~ /. Il Il ~