New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-01

zennlsel. a small green island on when reS.' 'e
centre pile of the new suspension bridge. 10 our
right a marble slab in the wall, surInouhteu Wy
bronze statue of st. John Nepomuk, the patron Oh
Bohemia marked the spot where, according u tue
legend the saint was flung into the river the EN-
peror WenZel demanded that he should betray the
Empress's condolences (he was her confessor), ana
on his refusal ordered him TO be drowned Inc
saints body hoated long on the surface, whie hVe
brilliant stars surrounded his head. so great was
his pety and so firm the belief In 1t that thou-
sands of pilgrims ocked the bridge each year 10
irrIore his intercesslon even before his canoniza-
ton.
The road leading to the summit Of the fradschn
is long and steep. and the carriage we had secured
assembled it slowly. stopping occasionally at the
little platforms built at each turning ABOVE US
rose the Burg the royal residence its rugged out
lines showing boldly against the sky. and below us
lay the city, it's turrets towers and pointed roofs
y confused mass In the morning sun. Charles w.
erected the Burg, and assembled the neighDofhs
barons at his court. which soon became one OF the
most brilliant throughout Germany and Austria
They built their castles on the side OF the hrad-
schin or on the opposite bank slowly encrclins the
small Jewish settlement which had existed there
since the twelfth century.
Almost the first of these castles we passed was
Wallensteins II was with little disappointment
we found the high wall surrounding 1t to be or
recent construction. but once inside our admiration
knew no bounds. Vevety green lawns and brilliant
flowers lay on all sides. At the end Of long ave-
nue. of magnificent trees the gray stone palace
crowned with the tower where SIM sat searching
the stars night after night. and where he read OF
Pccolomini's treachery and Wallensten's downfall.
Its arched portal has heavy wooden doors, when
swing slowly back to admit US into the great halI.
W.. wandered through Wallensteins private apart
ments down into the grotto bath where he planned
his campaigns during the Thirty Years War; and
.I.l - k.sa of
ment to Pccolomni then out into the magnificent
summer dining hall overlooking the garden where
Thekla first saw Max Piccolomini and where he de-
cared his love for her, which was to end so unhap-
plly There Is an Interesting fact connected with
this palace which clearly denotes Walensteins
cruel and tyranncal nature TO make room for his
large gardens he ruthlessly destroyed one hundred
and forty-two houses belonging to the poorer in
habilants Of the city without Offering them the
slightest compensation.
I'p the hill again. then at last level road; clat-
fer over the cobblestones of Hradschin Square.
a sharp turn through a gateway, ami We found our
selves in the Burghof. ihe courtyard of the royal
residence Close at hand the Burg Is not nearly as
imposing as when seen from below Its walls are
low. and the whole presents rather an homogeneous
appearance. 1t was commenced by Charles ~. but
not completed until many generations later, each
successive sovereign advancing 1t according TO his
personal taste needless OF the original plan. Under
Marie Therese 1t practically completed, al
though the cathedral is still unfinished, and its
tower reduced by fire to half its original height
has never been restored. The oldest portions OF the
building are undoubtedly the Hall of Homage, hung