The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-08-13
For The AgiS and Iateltigeacer.
Letter from VIM. Nj. Marine.

Since last wrote you have been sight
seeing in earnest. 1t was not safe to visit
Southern Italy, so Venice, Naples and Rome
were eliminated from the itinerary. The
cholera, and worse than that probabilities of
being quarantined, were inducements to
over balance any desire to see sights at such
points.
Northern Italy was touched as a means of
getting to Switzerland. A long nights ride
from Paris to Turin, which was not reached
until p. M. of the following day, was
through fine section. Daylight dawns at
about o'clock, and as Paris was left at 8, it
was no great while before scenery that thrill
ed was visible l halted at Turin and saw
one or two persons at the hotel who STAN
mered little English. Twas surrounded by
those whose cultural voices were strange as
their faces. After days delay resting Milan
was sighted. The cathedral is its chief at
traction, although it has very many old
churches, parks, statues, arcades and beer sa
looms, each having due number of callers.
The cathedral must rank in the church line
as the foremost architectural piece of immen-
sity in Europe, excepting, of course, st.
Peters at Rome. If we could get the Italian
organ grinders out of the United States, and
some other of the vicious elements of like
hue and import in their stead the better ele-
ment that one every where finds in northern
Italy, it would be decided improvement.
Lake Maggiore, over which passed on my
way to Switzerland, is u charming sheet of
water, finely encompassed by hills that rise
to the altitude of mountains. Old castles,
statuary and fine residences are scattered
along the sides of the Lake, making natures
picture grander than any one ever perfected
on canvass.
Suytt rln nd / 81 matt ln,rr
1t was my pleasure, among the other historic
ed more interesting by Montgomery's poem
Of the Swiss Wanderer." Swilzerand's
peaks and craigs re-echo the voices of the pa
triotic past. 1t was u real treat to tread the
soil consecrated by valor, and to look upon
scenes made sacred by the blood of liberty
loving patriots.
Presenting the contrast, passed through
Austria, Switzerlands old oppressor. An
Emperor sways the sceptre over that
beautiful domain, but the voice of liberty has
penetrated its boundary, and the subject
breathes freer atmosphere. The crowned
heads of Europe recognize that the voice of
the people is the voice of God, and they are
needing it.
Vienna, outside Ring Strausse, is not
pretty city 1t is an interesting one The
writers who speak of its rivaling Paris either
looked at it by moonlight or else were so de-
tective in eye sight as to need glasses. Take
out the imperial palaces and other scenes of
royalty and there is very little worthy of
passing notice.
The Danube is entitled to more praise than
it receives. 1t has fine mountain scenery.
The prominent peaks are crowned with cas-
ties. Fewer tourists visit it than the Rhine.
Nuremburgh is one of the oldest and to this
day unaltered cities in Germany. Its castle
and walls and turrets repay for visit. Hell
dleberg was not up to expectations either
in scenery, size of college buildings or
morality and behaviour ofthe students. The
old castle ruins were impressive. Frankfort
is disappointment Leipsic is very pretty.
Dresden is beautiful and Berlin is doing its
best to be great place. 1t is progressing
and entitled to be ranked high as an enter
prising point, now possessing an American
Anglo Saxon whisky shop.
Mayence is fertilization with big cathe-
dral where Charlemagne's wife is buried
The Rhine is the Germans boast. 1t is
worthy to be embalmed in song. The
French would like to do the embalming, and
no doubt at no distant day they will under
take the process.
Cologne is humbug, so far as the manu-
laCtuIe Vi VIC hTllCle vi the same name is con-
cerned. They sell cologne from Paris. The
cathedral is worthy of eulogy, Work on it
has been proclaimed finished but it's not so
the scatfod and the mechanic are still to be
seen.
Brussels is one of the richest cities of
Europe. Waterloo is an hours ride from it, l
stood on that field yesterday. 1t was thrill
ing to me when the guide pointed out
where Ney "the bravest of the brave" repeat
eddy. charged.
was in Antwerp to-day. Old Antwerp
has disappeared. It's modern city now. |
saw the grave of Rubens and many of his
masterpiece paintings.
Tomorrow expect to be in Paris. shall
feel better when my feet press the soil of
Britain, which will not be great while. |
have been 80 long where my mother tongue
is foreign that shall bless the hour that re-
turns me to those who use it. Home now
has unusual attractions, ! shall be glad to
see the loved ones again.
VIM. M. MARINE.