Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-09-17

that autumn is near ut hand. Where
six weeks ago green fields Of grain
waved in the sunlight, there is now
nothing but stubble, while from
nearly every barn the thump of the
threshing fail reaches the ear. The
German farmers have not yet adopt
ed the reapers and threshers of their
competitors ir the new world. In
deed, doubt if they would all be-
lieve in the stories that could be told
of the work accomplished by those
practical illustrations OF mechanical
skill.
The general appearance and Gus
toms of the people in the cities do
not differ materially from those of
our American cities; but on leaving
the payements an apparently new
people appear. One is struck by the
notable absence of men, of the la
boring classes, in the fields and about
the small village in which the farm
ers congregate The army, cities
and factories attract the men, and
the quieter work of the fields is left
to the women. TO an American,
the sight is one to attract attention.
Bareheaded, with a cord tied around
the waist to raise the skirts nearly
to the knee, in manner suggesting
the custom Of the Roman youths
when about to engage in active
sports, with bare feet or occasionally
wearing heavy sandal with wood
ell bottoms, they may be seen ra.ling
or pitching in the fields, walking be-
side dog as the hay is drawn to
the stables or engaged in any work
requiring strength and endurance.
These are the sights that present
themselves on week days as one
walks through the fields and IN the
vicinity of the village where l have
been staying for few weeks past
On Sunday the scene at JohannisthaI
changes as by magic. At an early
hour preparations for festivities be
gin. Dooryards and streets in front
of all the cottages are neatly swept
children, who for six days have
seemed to be nothing but animated
dust induced with strong lungs, arc
washed, and clean clad, and then tho
peasants of the village are prepared
to watch the festivities that begin
with the arrival Of the crowds from
the city. The day is given up tc
rcgattas, parades, dances and pic
MICS, apparently with the encourage
ment of the government. Possibly
it suspects that royalty is more Sc
cure when the victims are so en-
crossed by dissipation that IL
thought can be given to the method.
of the oppressors.
Surrounded by pine woods near
ly a hundred acres in extent, Johan
nisthal has come to be . fayorite pic
mic grounds for the pleasure seeker.
of Berlin. To supply necessary
stimulus and food, no less than cighr
Of the institutions known as "Beel
Gardens " have become firmly estab
lished within a radius of half mile
A description Of one of these will
describe all. AS the Germans pre-
fer to eat and drink in the open air
an acre Of grove is surrounded by
fences or shrnbbcry. Along on
side extends building, open on tn,
side facing the garden, which serves
as a dance hall, and a retreat OF
stormy days. At the opposite sid,
is the residence of the proprietor
and the culinary department.. TIL,
intervening space is covered will
cheap wooden tables, each larg
enough to accommodate four per
sons. On Sunday these places ar
crowded. Beer flows freely, and
band of several pieces invite tn
younger portion of the crowd to
never ending waltz. There are n
intermissions in dancing, singing
and carousing until the clock give
warning that another day of worl
and care is approaching. The Gel
mans can not be called sober 0
thoughtful people, If those who re
sort here are indicative of nationa
character. The motto of all seem
to be "Lct us eat, drink, and b
merry, for tomorrow we die" Their
must, however, be another class wit
higher and nobler aims. 1t seem
contrary to all laws Of nature an,
progress that from such throng