The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02
BY REV. S. Fl. MCOLLEsTER, D. D.
Marlboro, N. H.

(MdrlDOfO, N. H.
AS one enters Berlin, from whatever
point of the compass, he soon becomes
convinced, as he penetrates toward its
center, that it is "a city of the plain"
for it is so level that when it rains, the
water in the streets does not run, but
stands still. He can but marvel how
city of more than million of inhab-
itants should have been placed on such
a site, being not only level, but sandy
and barren. But the desert has been
made to blossom like the rose, and in
spite of disadvantages, Berlin is one of
the fairest cities of the world. Its
Linden street, 80 lined with massive
blocks, terminated by the Brandenburg
Gate, the gardens and castles, and
adorned in the center with the grand
pedestrian statue of Frederick the
Great, is unsurpassed Among the
many buildings fronting it are the Uni
versity, with its six thousand students;
the National Museum, with its i'm
mense collections of ancient and mod
ern works of art; the National Gallery
of paintings, fronted with its imposing
statue of Frederick the Fourth the
Armory and Hall of Fame, in which are
gathered the Prussian arms and trophies
of war the Old Castle, crowded with
daring deeds and great victories; the
Emperor's Palace, the present aged
ruler dwells in royal style. These,
with many other public buildings, add
grandeur and beauty to this unsur-
passed street, which is shaded by nu-
merous linden trees, which are an orna-
ment and blessing as we'll.
Berlin abounds in religious and char
liable institutions. Its dome churches,
its Jewish synag0gues, its asylums and
hospitals, all do honor to munificent
city. Then just outside the walls is
the Frederick Park, with its gigantic
trees, imposing monuments and invit-
ing retreats. Within it are the Zoolog-
ical and Botanical Gardens; also at
the present time the great exhibition
of the modern paintings of the Empire
is being held in it. Thousands of pic
lures are on exhibition. After study
ing them carefully, it must be admitted
that modern art will contrast favorably
with ancient. 1t is true, the subjects per-
tain more to the real and material than
to the ideal and fanciful But many of
these pictures are to live through the
ages. They are the outco ne of genius,
patience and industry, and therefore
must last.
Germany ranks among the ruling
powers, and its chief capital must be
placed among the cleanest, neatest, and
most attractive cities. Its people are
civil, scholarly, and fond of military
display. 1t is we'll managed and gov
erned city. The best of order prevails
in it night and day. After having en-
joyed its sights and scenes sought by
the casual traveller, l turned to its by
ways and hooks, less frequented by the
common sight-seer and mere pleasure
seeker. In these l found many things
of special interest, and among them
several cemeteries, in which l expert
enced much satisfaction as walked
through their silent aisles and read the
names that have been made familiar
through noble works. These Acres are
beautiful, but not ostentatious. Ber-
lin can boast of no Westminster Abbey,
nor Pere la Chaise, still it has the six
resting places of mortal forms which
visited, abounded in shrubs and flow
ers. was in them in the flush of rose
time. The very air was fragrant with
sweetest Odors. The stones and tombs
are not elaborate and costly. The
grounds are not laid out with that taste
and system which are so apparent in
Mount Auburn and Greenwood. But
the graves, especially the fTesh-made,
are strewn with flowers. The old Greeks
and Romans could not have been more
faithful in adOTning the resting places of
their departed. 1t would seem almost
precaution that none but sweet
scented blossoms should be employed.
could but admire these spontaneous
offerings of nature as more cOmely
than splendid works of art. The hand