New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-18
TIE POTTER ABEND.

cooD CHEER AMONG THE GERMANS
Germans. although they do not a rule pass
for a very cheerful people, and impress one at nls-
sight with an idea OF being heavy and preternatu-
rally solemn are when among themselves give" ~ .
species of cheersulness, which II 1t lacks the pro
ond ughtness Inherent to all Latin races. yet can
be said TO be emnently "gemutnich On eNp's
sion difficult 20 translate. but wnich means :.
taken literally ''home,ike" Christmas, Easter anu
New Year are with them occasions OF extensive
reioicings and in way resemble the ra'"e'
humdrum festivities Of which they are the pre'e.'
in all other countries Of Europe. OF course al
Teuton holidays are characterized by an almost
abnormal amount OF astronomical EXPLOITS ea"ns
and drinking being one OF the favorite pdst'''e'
OF this nation. 49, =, ...
hv tho "polter- Abend." dear TO every German
heart and a few words on the subject may theIc-
fore prove Of interest 10 the readers OF Inc l''-
me. The "Polter-Abend' is the night wnch pre-
codes the wedding day OF either poor or r'on
throuchout the dominions OF Emperor Wiiam' ana
a nigh, NJ frolc Il is indeed. This entertainment
,,tos nlace nj the home OF the bride and is rausht
with n great diversity OF amusements. lnese
ami,sements which are devised py the ir'e"uS VI
both bride and groom, are kept profound secies
from the young pair. and are meant 70 surprise a,'
delight them As a rule. the evening begins by a ois
dinner and closes with a no less substantial sup
rar hut the interval between felst.ng Is taken up
bv tabeaux-viyants. private theatricais' udn'nS
or cb,r,des Some Of the tableaux invariably
repressrt one or two scenes taken from the pre-
vous life of the bridal couple SUCH as for instance
their first meeting the declaration or their mu'uai
love mr. any other instance OF their long courtsnip
courtships are always long In Germany-wnlch
will make them live over again some happy nv
mont of the time when loves dream was young.
I'm tho case OF crowned heads the "Poter-Abenf
IA a very ceremonous occasion. when court man
Ties are "de rgueur." and brilliant uniforms sh'-
,orlpg Jewels and harmonious strains OF music are
The order Of the day or rather night b"' e'e"
tho poorest peasant decorstes his httie hnt OF 'hs
owe ~ his daughters wedding. ana II me enter
,sin,osnt Is not SO grand the fun being lar
n,ors fast and furious IN tho hoysl man ~ 'ne
nsiaee matters afe thus eauallsed tn - tonchihkv
asmoe,stie fashion, Invariably also Inc pfia"
wears on that night white muslin 'fess a'p
garland of fnyfis. shieh Is the herman p''aa'
noner excepting when the welding - "'"'"s '''~
nssssntry In this instance the hail"hhl '"Ssu"s
- norm and The myrtle attached 20 the picturesque
nttle can. which although II differs IN shape ana
oo,or according 10 the different localities yet
is universally adopted by all German women ps'
longing to the lower orders. waltz follows "at~
after midnight and the unfortunate hahees
wel-nigh worn out when the festivities draw 20
o,osa for etiquette forces her 10 dance al least
once with every man present failing which, tne fs-
nulsed ones would become her mortal enemies.
Another remarkable feature OF all German dances
IL that they are not merely given for the amuse-
old people take as much delight IN whirlng AROUND
70 the sound OF Strauss music do their children
and grandchildren The first dance OF the evening
Ga aiwavs a "poonaise" and is devoted almost ex-
clusivey TO the oder portion of the guests IL -
hut little more than a march past. but as the
leading couple devise all kinds OF hgures winch
give life and movement TO this musical promehaae'
n ia nv no means devoid Of animation or OF GER
tain kind Of vim
"PoIter- Attends" are not reserved for young
aances for they are also given In honor OF silver
go'den and diamond weddings. Especially IN the
ga 40 Of the last-named ceremonies they are OFTEN
very touching family fetes. For her silver weddihs
the bride of twenty-five years before adorns her
head with coronal OF silver leaves and buds which
Is afterwa-d carefully preserved by her, ana on
which al each subsequent anniversary she lastens
a golden leaf When there are twenty-five OF tnose
nesting among the by that time sigh,iy var. var,
nshed silver ones the golden wedding is celebrated
with much pomp and the old wife proudly attaches
the gold wreath 10 her lace cap Alas, dianonl
weddings are rare. even in Germany, where NE Is
proverbially long: but when an old couple has9
reached. hand in hand, this goaI OF marImon Ia
bliss there are rejoiei1gs n nbsb WesItSv chill
dreh grandchildren and great-grandcnidreh pressnS
their Venerable grandparents with AL manner OF
gifts one of these being diamond nara, wnSn t"s
old granddane on her last Polter-aoeno'
while the poorer classes content themselves WI"
wreath Of tinsel. initiating bril;iants. .,.,
Ahend, sumner Is the toothsome II exceedingly ind-
gestibe, "Baum-kuchen." highly havored mixture
OF butter sugar spices and other delicacles Let
our pity however not be aroused for those who con-
slider Il both duty and plasure to partake OF tns
classes are endowed with digestive powers before
which those OF an ostrich would certainty pare.
Moreover Germany cookery IN genera IS ~, IN any
that kind. more or less. Is. TO use the Immortal
Toots's favorite expression, oi no consequence AZ
all"