National Republican., 1885-12-12
SEDAN DAY ON THE uAnrz.
Scenes mt n German Feie "A Romantic
Excursion and Legend.

Excursion and Legend.
HARTzBERo, Sept. 2.---Thls is "sedan
day." and the little mountain village IS gay
with bunting, transparencles, sc. Tho
churches are all open for worship, and tho
women wear mourning for their fallen
heroes; hundreds Of school children arc
coming from tho surrounding towns,
dressed in holiday attire, each bearing
red or yellow torch, wearing bou-
quet Of the empcror's favorite blossom,
the cornfower, and singing, while the
mountains sound back the echo, " Hall,
Kaiser, Dear" These fete days are re-
ligiously observed, the love OF the kaiser
aud fatherland being instilled very early.
The boys have manly faces, and all
seem happy. What admire greatly hero
is the fact that tho physical Is combined
with the intelle ectual training. Tho people
live outdoors and excel In athletic sports.
They believe the essence OF education Is the
education Of the body; that robust health Is
one chief source OF happiness. A sound
body for q sound mind is pre-eminently the
motto Of this people. Thus are they fitted
for more severe studies. Music, the drama,
pictures, and sculpture--all form an Inn
portant element In their education. While
giving all possible praise to our American
schools, cannot question the advantage OF
having regular system. With us n change
Of masters brings n change of method. Inc
reverse Is true bero, u transfer can be made
from one school to another without single
gap.
In the matter OF teaching languages they
are unexcelled. Take a schoolboy from
any part Of Germany you like, he can write
u Latin letter or read Latin book as very
Ecu hoo hat al Ina gnlNs Al
French and school German is something To
be deplored when one is obliged to make q
| practical test Of 1t.
i heard very amusing account Of some
| ladies' travelling. Their baggage went
astray. They had studied German several
| quarters at home, but had forgotten all
they knew but "Who has the shoes Of my
| grundfather's neighbour" which was of very
| little importance to them In finding their
| luggage.
Some days since our "host of the villa"
with happy inspiration said eve must
| go to Thale tomorrow" So with our own
Jelly party, joined by an English gen
tlcInan Of delightful memory, we
started. AS we boarded the early
train nothing could have been more
perfect or enjoyable than the lovely morn
Ing as we passed through the valley. While
the sunlight was gradually stealing through
the trees, with the most perfect golden
light, the air was filled with such delicious
freshness and coolness-the heavenly pro
| ductionR Of these mountains.
At 10 we were at Thrle aud comfortably
settled at the good Hotel Zchnpfund (Ter
Pounds) quite ready for breakfast, which
by virtue of our early rising, we took Will
much satisfaction. Divesting ourselves o
all unnecessary wrappings, and conHding
our satchels and umbrellas to our loqua
cious guide, we commenced, not without
many msgivings as to my ability, to ascent
the steep foot path, but treasured by thu
smiles and gestures of our courier, anC
challenging the railery Of my friends,
proceeded with them up the circuitou
route. On one side was the widest rock.
looked over stretch of hill
aud valleys, beautiful and most lovel.
in point of color. The whole prospec
for more than one hour was one o
perpetual delight. Stopping at occasional
rests to gain fresh strength, we came a
length to the precipitous rock of the Ros
TrOppc. Here we found fine inn, and tn
sight of an American party gladdcned ou
eyes.
This rock projects into the valley OF til
Dode and rises TO height of ESQ feet abov
the river. The name is derived from an i'm
preston on the rock resembling u glganti
hoof.
The legend, as told for trlne, Is thi:
The heather King Bode, himself giant
became desperately in love with the Prir
cess Brunhildes. She, highly offended tina
determined upon hasty flight. Mountin
RId putting spur to her fiery steel, sh
leaped across the fearful chasm, the hors
striking the rock with such force rs to leay
the impression Of its hoof, which still L,
mains.