The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-10-23
A Bavarian City.
ITS ANCIENT RULERS AND THEIR HOME
OTHER MATTERS.
WUERZBURG, Oct. 2, 1885.

OTHER MATTERS.
WUERZBURG, Oct. 2, 1885,
Editor Register and Journal :-Wuerz-
burg is one of the most ancient and his
torically important cities in Germany. 1t
is now the capital of Lower Franconia
From 741 until 1903 it was the seat of an
uninterrupted line of 80 prince-b shops.
who ruled this diocese. 1t would be hard
to imagine position which could furn-
ish more comfort with less eXertion and
annoyance than to be one of these bishops.
Doubtless they appreciated this fact,
Judging from the numerous evidences
which yet remain. They most emphati-
cally ruled the people, for being at the
head of the state as well as the authority
on spiritual matters, what they could not
obtain by authority and diplomacy they
would eventually accomplish by manpu-
lating the religious and superstitious
standards. To be sure, they were subject
to the king; but, having complete power
over the people from their closer rela-
lions, the king was rather subject to
them. And even now many worship
their former prince-bishops, while they
sheer at mentioning their present crank
king, Ludwig. Not satisfied with the
humble dwellings which Wuerzburg
could furnish, they built royal palace
in imitation of the one at Versailles. 1t
is one of the grandest structures in Ba-
varia and contains seven courts, 2S3
rooms, chapel and a theater. In its
rear stretches out spacious park which
is model of artistic landscape garden
ing. This is open daily to the public and
is favorite promenade of the residents.
Here three times every week free con-
cert is given by the court band consisting
of sixty performers. These are listened
to by hundreds of people who saunter
through the winding paths, sit upon the
terraces or recline on the benches in the
numerous grottoes.
Although beer has long been the ma
tional drink, this part of Germany is also
noted for its fine wine products. A
rhyme to this effect, which is known to
| every one in the province, runs somewhat
thus:
AT Wuerzburg on Stein,
AT klngenberg on Rhine,
AT Backarach on Main,
Grow the three best wines"
The bishops were also good judges of
wine. 1t was their custom to take from
the farmers and winners tenth part of
all that was produced upon their respec-
tive properties. But though they often
passed by the vegetables and farm pro-
ducts, they seldom forgot the wine. As
a result the royal wine cellars are tin e
most spacious in Germany. 1t would for
a moment perhaps astound some of our
exceptionally strict prohibltionists to
transport them suddenly into the midst
of such a maze of casks. Tier on tier of
these receptacles border the numerous
winding passages, all legibly labeled to
indicate some slight difference in the del
icate flavor of their contents. Here and
there can be seen couplets and rhymes,
which some tipsy bishop has car fully
cut out on the head of cask. as a testi-
| monial of the excellence of its contents.
Under this may appear the certifying
Amen of later incumbent. Though
much wine is sold every year from these
cellars (arge shipments in bottles being
made every spring to New York;, the
new supplies come only from the royal
vineyards. These are not equal to the
demand and eventually the cellars will be
exhausted.
Wuerzburg is at present being sur
rounded by park garden. The plan is
very artistic and original, being that of a
Swedish gardener. and having taken
the prize at the ST. Petersburg exposition
of designs. No one can complain that it
is too far from his dwelling, for it sur
| ROUNDS the WnOie city. except on the side
towards the Main. This Main is as tickle
as the New Haven river. and rises with
astonishing rapidity. At present it is
very muddy and picturesque. Looking at
it from one of the neighboring hills, it
appears like a small boy with silk hat.
1t is so narrow and small, and yet it has
few islands, quite extensive shipping
(Which, however, is only apparent, for ii
consists of fleet of fiat scows, which serve
only to bring fire wood from up the river)
and a row OF bath houses. How one can
battle in the Main is a problem. The
water is absolutely thick with small club
by fish which are about as pleasant for a
bather as Jour tad-poles. The water.
like that of the whole city, is saturated
with lime. 1t will almost convert cake
of soap into a block of marble while you
are performing your toilet, it is so awful
lY hard. This is quite unpleasant for a
foreigner but the Germans take it in a
most heroic manner; indeed, they appear
to have given up the job of washing as
an impossibility. 5.