The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-09-23
OUR EUROPEAN LETTER.
Down the Rhine.
,ecinz cb,respoudeuce Andcrson L,tcl,iqeucer,

Alto O'Clock Friday, July S0th, we
mount our wheels at Strasburg and begin
our journey down the Rhine. We are
Instructed to wheel to Kahl, small viii
lage across the river from Strasburg,
and then to take road running north
along the Rhine toward Heidelberg.
We soon reach the opposite side of the
river, and along the suggested road we
spin at a lively rate, but in few minutes
our way begins to get rough, and there
seems to be but little travel over it for
public road down the Rhine, but our
faces are in the direction we wish to tray
ell, so ne press on and shortly our road
divides out to narrow foot path. We
consult one another upon the propriety
of continuing this route, but some one
reminds us that it's the mark of cowardice
to turn back, so we move on until our
foot path is no more, and the beautiful
valley of the Rhine becomes a fancy.
We are somewhere in swamp with our
faces toward the north. To the right of
us we discover an embankment, and upon
it we push our way until we arrive at
a point were small stream intersects the
Rhine. We can wheel no further for it's
water in front and upon either side of US.
In the distance we discover fisherman
mending his nets, ne call for assistance
and soon his long narrow skiff shoots
across the waters, and ne with our wheels
are soon landed upon the opposite shore.
We gladly fee him literally, and shortly
find the right road to Heidelberg, and
press on. Nothing occurs worthy OF
mention during the remainder OF this
days journey. We stop for the night in
the little city of Ettengen, As miles from
strasbourg. We reach Heidelberg the
following day early in the afternoon.
We find the city beautifully decorated,
for Festzug, which is to occur the follow
ing week. 1t is the five hundreth ami.
versary of the university and all Germany
is expected to participate. Visitors from
all parts of the world are hocking here to
witness the great jubilee, and it is expect
ed to be one of the greatest events in the
history Of Heidelberg. We employ a
guide and visit the Castle and other
places of interest. We were not permit.
ed the pleasure of seeing the Great Tun,
as they were filling it for the Festzug,
the first time since 1864, no visitors being
admitted for three days. Think oft, my
reader, huge cask with a capacity OF
2s3 200 bottles filled with wine to cele.
brate the anniversary of a University.
How would that do for an American
School? Uncle Sam hasn't the only red
nose in the world.
The colleges of every country have
tastes and customs that seem strange to a
foreigner, l suppose, and if the German
student would visit Harvard or Yale they
would imagine our boys tame lot OF
creatures, for in the German University
9 fellow is considered bastard if he
hasn't the pluck and the nerve to stand
up before fellow combatant and have
his face cut into mince meat. 1t is
expected that each student will fight at
least ten duels with sharp swords before
completing college course, and most Of
them have occasion to fight many more,
for if a student fails to tip his hat proper
" or by accident or otherwise pushes or
comes in contact with fellow student,
cards are exchanged and duel arranged
for. The whole body is protected but the
face, and the one that can do more carv-
ing in fifteen minutes is considered the
best man. The most skillfnl surgeon in
the city and a professor in the University
is employed by the year to sew up the
wounds, and he must have plenty OF
business, for the display of frightful
gashes upon these heroic sons of Germany
issimply terrible. There are many things
here that Americans might criticise, but
for all that there is something about
Heidelberg that lovers of the beautiful
admire-the narrow valley, the broad
plain, the vine crowned hills, the woody
heights, the green waters of the Neckar,
the silver.Aowing Rhine, the venerable
Castle ruins, the abundance of contrast
in color and form unite to compose one
harmonious picture, the Artists from all
nations have loved to paint, and as ne
turn away from the charms of this city
we carry with us sweet remembrance
not easily forgotten.
We continue our journey down this
romantic river, stopping now and then at
places of interest. A short distance from
Worms ne dismount to examine pecul.
iarly constructed tricycle. propelled by
electricity. A German invention not to
be sneered at, but we hardly have time to
appease our curiosity before the gentle
man and his two sons mount very COM
Portable spring seat and spin around the
curve like railroad engine. We are not
amazed, for yankee is prepared to expect
most anything, but we are satisfied that
Edison isn't the only man that can make
horse out of little lightning. The
main attraction ut Worms was the Luther
Monument, which is one of the best that
we have seen in our travels. We tarry a
short time at Mayence, and then wheel
on to Westbaden, great summer resort
of Germany, an attractive city and pleas
ant place to stay if you have plenty of the
yellow lucre.
On the evening of August Sd, we reach
Rudesheim, noted place for celebrated
wines. Upon the hillside far above the
village the Germans have erected very
large and handsome monument in com.
memoration of the victory over the