The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-11-26
ANCIENT GERMANY.
An American Lady's Observations In
and About Tcutonic Ruins.


VILLA MARINE HoFF, GERMANY, Nov. g.
There is such n world Of beauty around
this spot-the air is so invgoratiug II seems
to me one might live forever, aud the people
do look the picture of happiness aud health.
! have been very much interested in the
manners and customs Of the pcasantry
there is something very pleasant in the un-
failing "good morning. as they pass. They
work much slower than we (timc is Of no
consequence, and the absence of activity
gives a strange feeling Of restfulncss.
Early this morning we took our coffee
and dressed for trip to Goslar. Thither
we went by rail, accompanied by large
party of Americans and Russians On our
way we passed several towers of the robber
king, silent witnesses Of his cruel deeds.
After q short ride VIC arrived at the quaint
town, dating from the tenth century, and
renowned as the birthplace of Henry ~,
Our first visit was at the Cathedral-for-
merly Catholic, now Lutheran. We saw
several fine pnintings-one Of Martin
Luther, the only original IN existence.
From there we went TO view magnificent
private museum. could not begin to tell
of the many antiquities we saw-pictures,
old gold and silver, and royal costumes
from many hundred years. indeed, ones
love for the antique could be gratiied--from
the seal ring Of the unfortunate Marie
Antoinette TO the gllded slipper OF Louis
Quinzc. A head Of Titan painted by him
self interested me greatly. as also several
Scripture pieces.
The craze for the old is supreme In this
locality, and bits of tapestry, old china, and
inlaid furniture are exposed to sale at such
marvellous prices that my exchequer will
not admit Of n purchase An amusing In
cident occurred here. One Of our party,
Russian lady, could speak neither
English nor German, and when our guide
addressed her in her own tongue she threw
her arms about his neck and kissed him.
The morning being spent, we were quite
ready for our dinner, which we took at
table dhote in an old hotel remodeled from
an old CASTLE itself a gem OF the old and
new. Having refreshed ourselves with an
excellent dinner we proceeded to the
Kaiser house, the Oldest castle in Germany.
IL is now being restored for the present
Kaiser. The grand hall, where the first
emperor used to gather his mobiles to take
the oath, contains the veritablc chair In
which he was crowned. Above the dais is
picture representing Emperor William on
| horseback. Above is the spirit form of his
beautiful mother, Marie Louise, holding "A
crown. The royal family surround him,
and conspicuously by his side is Bismarcl k
and Won Moltke. 1t is considered one of
|
| was executed by famous artists, who had
been several years in completing IT,
The little chapel contains the remains of
| Henry III. Above the tomb is a life-sze
| figure Of the same, rudely cut in stone. We
| saw the old court house, an old structure In
a good state of preservation. The small
| chandeliers Of beaten gold and silver were
| very beautiful. We were shown, also, the
| room where the judges used to hold court
the chair in which they sat, and the
hand Of solid iron used in taking the
oath. II resembled a gantet. In the
center was a heart and cross, upor
which the witness placed the first two
| fingers Of his right hand, swearing eterna
| fealty to the crown. A small chapel ada
| cent contains tankard of 1407. Near The
staircase is cage, in which, it is said, scold'
| were incarcerated.
No trip that we have made has been NOR,
delightful or more pleasant to refer to thai
the one to ancient Goslar. EUsEBIA.