Omaha daily bee., 1890-11-30
AN OMAHAN In FATHERLAND
Mr., Ernest Benninghoven's Description of
His Vacation Experiences in Germany.
BERLIN RIVALS PARIS FOR PLEASURE
How an American Received Prince
Bismarck at Messenger and
Gave the Germans Lesson
in Enthusiasm.

returned four the old country where he
spent fond months vacation. In a conver-
sation with representative of The BEE Mr..
Benninghoven gave very interesting ac-
count of the principal features of his sweep
continental.
Asked as to how the result Of the United
States election was received in the fatherland
MIR. Benninghoven replied
"The people of Germany are taking great
deal Of interest just now in two American
bills, the Mckinley bill and Buffalo Bill, the
latter being thoughtth best of the two. But
lis money out Of their pocket to take any
lactive interest in either of the Bills
"Referring to the trip ITSELF must relate
that reached New York, bound for Ham
burg on July /, calling with a letter Of intro
ducton from an Omaha friend on Mr.. Carl
Schur, the general director of the Hamburg
steamship line, whose Office is located on
Broadway. MIR. Schurz was found behind a
desk stacked with letters, apparently very
busy. Notwithstanding this, he discarded
business for half an hour to prove most
amiable talker manifesting very much in
terest wien we came TO speak about Mexico
and the Sandwich islands, which countries l
had lately visited. On July 3 boarded the
Normannia, new twin screw steamer of the
Hamburg line, ship 525 feet long and sixty
wide with all modern convenences.
while looking over the list of our fellow
cabin passengers / noticed the name of
Chauncey M. Depew, who made a very nice
after dinner Fourth Of july oration and soon
conquered the hearts of the passengers by
his courteous manners. We also had some of
the prominent members of the Salvation
army on board-Mrs. Booth, jr., and General
Field Marshal Tucker of India. The com
mander of the ship allowed them to hold
several meetings and make speeches at which
Mr.. Tucker always appeared in true Hindoo
costume. These representatives, of the Sal
walton army behaved themselves in o. very
creditable manner, so that Mr.. Depew
took took. occasion ,Snr to ask for the d
A prominent preacher Of Boston, delegate
to the peace congress, declared in n
speech that he, till of late, had thought
them TO be ripe for the lunatic asylum, but
was convinced after careful study that they
were great benefactors to a class which could
not be reached by the church and were bound
to play q very Important part in solving the
social problem. Be that as it may, they at
least took very good care of our souls, which
were out of reach of any church for the
time being
''On July II we landed at Cuxhaven on the
Elbe, where special train stood in waiting
to take us to Hamburg in two hours. We
found the German passenger cars just about
as shaky as the ship but not near as comfort
able In many respects. In this country you
travel slower In comparison TO Europe, but
with much more case. At the custom
house in Hamburg we had to excer-
fellow passenger who had waited an
hour for the inspector, who finally levied a
duty Of 16 pennies (4c) upon his cigars. The
American soon finds that it is all red tapo
and clock work, when he comes in contact
with German officials But it is great
mistake to expect that traveller is molested
IN any way by the police of Germany. No
body ever asked for my passport or papers OF
travelled in German sleeper, For once and
Eever more. Bad light bad air prevailed
and the absence OF water rendered soap,
towels or mirrors useless, of which even the
railroad company seemed to have been con-
vlnced, because there were none of these
things. When driving from the depot into
the city was at once struck with the solidity
and elegance of all the buildings lining the
Streets, while these were cleanliless ITSELF
although or because it had been raining fol
weeks in succession and was still at it, AS
the parks have dreary appearance in such
weather, even in midsummer, l concluded to
visit the royal museums, art galleries, etc.
which are the grandeSJ ever saw.
'Berlin is certainly the cleanest and one o.
the most beautiful cities in the world today
The surrounding country is magnificent
especially Charlottenburg and Potsdam. Ii
every park, in every public garden you ma,
listen TO the finest music rendered by mill
tary and private bands, OF which there ar
very many in the capital of the empire. Tn
people OF Berlin are growing to be pleasure
loving as the Parisians and have alread
life on an economical basis. 1t is often sal
by German Americans who have paid visi
to the old country that its people look nor
vigorous and healthy than ours. five woul
take life as easy us they do and were blesse
with their temperate climate, we would per
haps not be as stout as they are on the aver
ago, but at least just as healthy or more so.
There are few countries on this glob
where diseases arc so widespread as in Gel
many, which find their origin in over eatin
and drinking, Anybody who knows how
study faces will see at first glance thf
the mind Of the European is never so activ
and his future therefore not so attractive
that of the American. This is especially tru
of the ladies, VINO by the way-are noted fc
displaying so much absence of "chich an
taste in regard TO dress. Concerning the
manners, the American feels inclined to az
wise his European sisters, as the poet did
Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue by,
To manly confidence thy thoughts apply
On very fine afternoon and evening l a
tendeda Sommertheater (summer theatr,
in Berlin at Krolls' Garden, one of the cozie
little parks in the city. The opera was give
In a large commOdous building, well vent
lated, Between the acts-say ten minutes
the whole audience would leave u
theatre to promenade in the adjoinir
park and enjoy the charming mus
furnished by military bands Toi the cred
of German art as profession 1t must be sa
that the So-called ''star SYSTEM as it flou
ishes here is not tolerated or practiced at NJ
OF the many firSt-claSS theaters of the er
pire. The attention OF the audience and Il
critic is never solely fixed upon the talent
doings of the ''star'' of the troupe, but on
those OF the stout ensemble are consdere
Another example given by the Germa
worth initiating in the larger cities Of I'll
land is the regulation of street car tram
Every street car in Germany has seats al
standing room for a certain number onl
Nobody is permitted to stand in the gan
way. Five persons may stand on the re
and seven ON the front platform. That's wi
they have no crowded cars In Germany "
may not offer your seat to a lady who
standing and still remain a gentleman. i
auhering TO this American custom or &
lantry, gentlemen in this country unco
sciously prevent corporations from putti
on more cars which concern does n
feel obliged to do so, as long as the men a
contented with standing room and with
ing pressed like sardincs.
"Erom Berlin l proceeded to Hanovt
also very fine modern city with splend
-Herrenhaussen-having founta
which throws a heavy stream OF water !
feet high and palm house SURPRISING th
OF Frankfort. l also took look at I
famous six white stallions-Isabe belen-t
longing TO the duke Of Connaught. Leavi
Hanover and surrounding table lands,
visited relatives near Tyrmont, Lippe-D ID,
wold, country more charming even tn
Thuerngen, its shapely hills covered wi