The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-02
HOLIDAYS M GERMANY.
Pleasant Life Led by the People Of Ter
Iin-Days OF Beiaxafi0n.

IIn--Days OF Beiaxafiou.
Somehow life in Europe seems more
like holiday than in Amerlca-even
among tue (so cailed) working classes.
In the first place there are so many
church festivals that often il intcrfores
sadly with an unfortunate foreigner who
has planned to finish his business within
n certain limit of time. He viii often
find il necessary 10 consult the calendar
and sec whether some saint has not got
ten ahead of hir.i. We lott two days in
Amsterdam, one in Berlin and nearly
another in Moscow; but fortunately the
latt.r was in honor Of some one whom
they did not venerate specially. and we
saved il. Then, 700, the Saturday lalf
holiday seems to be very general. and the
length Of each working day is much
shorter than with us. There is n great
deal more to make q holiday attractivein
Europe than in America II the govern
ments seem to be hard on their subjects
In some things, they have at least made
great provisions for their happiness in
this respect. In America our Fourth OF
July and Christmas and New Years, as
| think, are three of the most tiresome
days in the year to get through. We
have so few such days that we arc at
loss as to how to dispose Of ourselves and
kill the time,
But here every one seems to appreciate
them with all the eagerress of an Amer
lean boy, and perhaps on the whole they
accomplish as much, enjoy life more and
liv,, longer. Here. for instance, in Berlin
is large park within easy walking dis
tancc. 1t is entirely free and there are
no restrictions Of any importance. There
are fountaine and ponds and statuary and
beautiful flowers, and room enough in it
for all the /, 800, 600 inhabitants to have
good time. Then adjoining are the
large geological gardens, well stocked
with animals and birds, and with every
inprovement that one could think Of TO
make them a pleasant place of resort.
Here every Tuesday, Thursday and Sat
urday afternoon from 10 O'Clock two
of the finest military bands give open
air concerts Of the very choicest music.
There is but n trifling admission fec. and
hundreds Of families fathers. mothers
ami children come out together and
take their dinners at the fine restaurant
connected with the gardens or IL may be
bring their own provisions with them.
And so they have the very incest kind of
n time. and all the while tic air filed with
such delicious music as w3s heard during
the centennial year. when one of the
| German emperors military bands visited
| the United States. There is no mtoxica-
ton. The best Of good order prevails.
| All 90 home early, and wl.o will say that
they are not prepared to do better day 3
work on the morrow than they would
have done without these few hours Of re-
taxation.
Tho "Unter den Linden in its day was
doubtless a fine street. but Of late years
the magnificent old trees have died out
ard been replaced by small, ones. so that
aside from the buildings which line it it IS
no finer than our Madison avenue. Gas
killed cut the trees, they say; and now
the street is 10 be lighted by electricity,
and the wires and being laid under
ground. St. Petersburg finest street,
The Ncvsky Prospect, is also lighted
by electric wires laid under ground.
Berlin and in fact all Germany. seems
to be enjoy a wonderful era Of pros.
perity. The city has moro than doubled
In population since 1870. Splendid new
buildings are going up on every street.
The manufactures are crowded 10 their
their utmost limit. Their exports even
to the United States arc second only 70
those Of England. and the most Of tins
trade has been Of recent growth.
Berlin possesses many attractions 10 an
American, so much 50 that great num-
Der are making it their home. They arc
such a 60 ahead sort Of people that they
seem quite like our own countrymen.
Then there are many advantages TO be
cnioyed in the study OF music, painting,
architecture, and the arts and sciences
generally, such as are found Ia few Eu-
ropean cities. One likes it NJ first sight
and the feeling continues 70 grow upon
him and he leaves it with regret.-Henry
NJ. Wrights Berlin Letter in Detroit Free
| Press.