Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-08-14
From Berlin, Germany.

luJ6ICOuISo Will ltS peOplo. Leu Lu0Ic dit
some points upon which one may reason
ably speak after short stay. While here,
it has been my good fortune to live among
the people as one of them, and thus have
had excellent opportunities to note closely
many features that visitor under differ.
ent circumstances, could not do.
Berlin is great and beautiful city, with
its nearly q million and a half of inhabit-
ants, beautiful streets and noble statuary.
Containing, as it does, so much conceu-
trated life of many kinds, it affords one a
good opportunity for seeing much of what
| is best and worst of the great German
nation. 1t is great business center, as
well as the capital of the German Empire,
and here one meets the busy rush peculiar
to and Indispensable to great and thriving
city. Its cleanliness IS noted. One almost
wonders if he may throw his cigar stump
and ashes on its smooth and Clean asphelt.
Sone of the streets are indeed grand,
seUntez den Linden" has become one of
the most beautiful thoroughfares in the
world, while Leipziger and Friedrich streets
are moro beautiful than any streets | have
seen in America The city is all quite
level, affording rapid transit facilities. The
street cars are generally horse cars, but all
around the city is also railroad for local
travel.
Americans could learn much from their
German cousins. Here one finds general
restraint that is to US quite unknown. As
to the inward feelings of the German
toward his fellows, whether foreign or
native, l cannot yet with propriety speak,
but of those outward acts Of polteness and
kindness that go a great way in causing
favorable impressions of persons or peo-
plies to be made, can gladly bear witness.
Whether it comes from long and rigidly
enforced obedience, l know not; but here
one finds no evidence of that selfish free
dom of action that does not respect the
feelings of others. Loud shouting on the
streets l have never heard; and at the
opera and theater an American is naturally
struck by the extreme quiet; and even at
the many German churches l have attend
ed, the order seems better than with us,
though at the "Dome" about five hundred
people were standing. at the theater, one
sees more discretion in the applause. An
actor is not interrupted iu the midst of
some of his most effective expressions by
the well-meaning, but ill-eimed applause of
an appreciative, but thoughtless audience.
In the role Of politeness, l might mention
one more example. When German en-
ters any store or bank, he takes off his hat
and the civilities of the day are politely ex-
changed between himself and the shop
keeper. On leaving, both parties say
ssadieu' with manner that Lord Chester
field could not fiud fault with.
| The food and time of meals seem some
what strange to us. Apparently, the Ger
mans eat more than Americans, but such
| is not the case While eating oftener, they
eat far less at meal. The typical Ger
man has early in the morning his coffee,
with q small, cold buttered roll. This
seems to be regarded only as an appetizer,
for not very long afterward, he has his
simple breakfast. This consists of slices of
battered bread and delicious bits of cold
meats and cheese. His dinner is some
what like our own. 1t is served hot, and is
the main meal. The vegetable dishes are
more different from our own than the
meats, and we are somewhat surprised to
see him eat almost no bread at this meal.
This seems displaced by an almost national
fondness for potatoes. He has abundance
of fruit at his dessert. About midway
between dinner and supper he has coffee
and roll as in the morning. Then at sup
per he has a meal much like his breakfast.
During my six weeks stay here, have yet
to see the first piece of warm bread. This
seems to be regarded as too unwholesome.
At dinner and supper, beer is served. 1t
is not only the men that crave this. In my
experience here l have not seen typical
German lady that did not take her beer
with relish.
The German is quite fond of his coffee
house. Indeed, here is to be seen quite an
interesting picture of German life. Pass
the busy thoroughfares when we will, we
always see these houses well filled. They
are very pretty, in summer being in the
open air as much as possible, and having
an abundance of flowers and pictures to
make them attractive. Here the tired
German gees to take lunch, or glass of
beer and have a talk with his friends, or
read the newspapers. 1t is scarcely neces
sary for me to say that no such idea of deg
radiation is carried with these houses as
with our saloons in America. The drink
ing of beer is national German custom,
and at the cafes and beer-gardens may be
found the best of people? The city au-
thorities are quite believers in open, green
parks and trees. Almost every important
street w1dens at some point into beauti-
| full, shady, grassy place, where is almost
| invariably monument to some noted
marshal. Then the sThiergarten" is a
good sized forest, almost in the heart of the
CITY, with it's old trees, shady walks, grassy
fats, and beautiful statuary. The people
seem far more healthy than Americans, a
fact due, no doubt, to more frugal habits
and to moro exercise in the open air. AS
to the world-renowned objects of interest
here, l shall not speak in this letter. Suf-
flee it to say, that here one can see enough
to keep him busy at sightseeing for many
months-I might even say years.
The police system is especially rigid
Every disorder in the streets is most quick
ly checked, and every stranger, after being
here some days, is reported by his hotel
keeper to the police Office, whittier he must
60, show his passport, and answer SO many
questions that he almost feels he is sus-
pected of being a dynamiter. There is
everywhere an almost obsequious obedi-
ence to police and soldiers, such as is quite
unknown in America. OF the soldiers l
have seen much. Berlin has garrison of
10, 900 or more, and here may be seen
many of the finest officers of the army. The
divisions l have seen are finely drilled and
handsome men. The Royal Guard are the
picked men from the entire army and are
the finest-looking soldiers have ever seen.
NEAR THE RosE.-What marked day it
is for us when we actually see and talk
with q beloved here.
"I have seen Emerson" wrote George
Eliot to a friend. 81 have seen Emerson,
the first man l have ever seen."