The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-21

Louis w Austin, writing to his grand
father, Des. q. l.. Taft, and other friends
gives the following interesting sketch OF
Strassburg, under date of the 90 of last
September, We are glad to be permit
ted to copy portion of his letter.
believe l promised in this letter to
take you on a walk around Strassburg.
1t is a pleasant morning, but little
hazy as it nearly always 10 here. We
start north along Feggasse, turn the
corner at the restaurant Zum Goldenen
Lamm and pass ON down by the Old
French Academy, which is now used as
the biological museum for the Univer-
sity. 1t is q weather beaten old build
ing which forms great contrast to the
elegant University buildings two blocks
north of it. A little further on we come
to washing place, which is like bear
pit with a depression in the center,
which contains the water; around this
are grouped the washerfraueD, dirty,
ragged, and with their water as black
as their hands. None of my clothes in
that place, thank you, On we go through
q narrow street shut in on both sides by
the tall gray houses 80 characteristic Of
Strassburg till we come to the bridge
over the Ill, from which a beautiful
view Is before US stretching away to the
northward with the green winding river
and its many boats and divers hued
sailors and the tall chestnut trees of the
old French Park. Then on again through
some more narrow streets and around
corners which would confuse a Boston
ian, and at last out we come again into
the sunshine on the Munster Pla;z. On
the right is the cathedral gray and
hoary with its many centuries, On the
left the Cardinals Palace now used as
the University library, and in front the
Post Office with a soldier on guard in
front Of it.; to keep it from escaping.
Ford says: Here is the place where we
come when we get homesick for the
sight of a good English face, for of
course, the cathedral is the great center
of attraction for tourist. From here we
20 on through the Gutenberg and Kleb-
er platzen, named from statues which
they contain. The latter is much the
larger Of the two and on it are situated
many of the finest stores and hotels.
Now we start down Alt Vein Mar;
Strasse, which is the finest street in
Strassburg, wide and we'll kept; it would
dot disgrace any city in the world. 10
and from ten to fifteen dollars per su t,
or custom made at from fifteen to twenty
five, and all Of the finest quality; in an
other there are scientific instruments
advertised at rates that seem simply
wonderful 10 an American, and in still
q third Meerschaum pipes are sold at
from fifty cents TO two dollars and the
best cigars at four cents. But perhaps
the most noticeable sight to stI anger 10
the dress OF the people. The pants are
of the tight variety worn in America
some six years ago, while the hats an
tedate in their style anything have
ever come across. This shows the con
sentative nature of the people, as the
best English and French styles are kept
In all the large clothing stores. yet al
most no one wears them, Turning down
q side street and crossing the canal we
come to the depot, building far surpas-
sing the Grand Central in beauty and
but little if any, inferior to it in size.
For my part, can't see what such a
small city can do with such an enor-
nous station. Following the canal
toward the north we see several inter.
estiDg sights. On the canal itself are
the wash baTges which are always full
Of washwomen washing away over the
size, at the risk Of their lives, as 1t scent
to a locker on. A little farther along
we see part Of the old city wall which
dates from the fifth century. How
young St. Augustine seems beside al
this. Again going through two or threC
side streets we come TO the Broglit
Plarz, fine parkfull of trees and facet
at the north end by the great Stad
Theater, This the most popular congre
eating place for the aristocraIic people
and there is always fine appearing
crowd. Among other attractions there
is military music here two afternoonI
each week. As we pass the theater W,
come into the new part of the town
which is much handsomer though les
interesting than the old, In this par
the Kaiser Palace is situated. This il
fine building costing four million mark
and only completed q short time ago
From this O wide street leads TO th
University, passing on the way the Ger
mania building, where our restaurant Ia
This is the abandonment structure Of tn
kind In the city. will send you picl
ure Of it in few days. can give yO
but q poor idea OF the University on pa
per and therefore will not try. II ca
get them, will send you pictures o
some Of the buildings. Returning HON
we pasa two OF the barracks, of whic
there are so manv 10 the city. In from
of the gates sentinels always stand, an
inside the walls drills are always goinI
on. Germany means to be ready Il
whatever may come. Going down tn
street from the cavalry barracks "
som find ourselves at our own doc
again.