The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-03
Letter from Germany.
COLOGNE, April 5th, 1895.

and now l am almost In Belgium. l re-
nained at Stuttgart until Monday. This is
one of the handsomest cities l ever saw
not specially large, perhaps 100000, but all
Quilt in this century. 1t is a very interest
ing city by reason of its location. 1t Is the
Hirst large city south of the Alps and lies ON
the border of the famous black forest where
bar0ns and robbers formerly held sway.
This forest stretches away over the hills for
miles and miles and is now q royal park
and is perfectly safe. In the city Itself the
chief centre of interest is the royal palace,
consisting of nearly 500 apartments. all of
which are open for inspection, even the
private apartments of the king. In the
rear of the palace long park--2 miles by
about 100 rods-extends to another little
city. The park is we'll filled with famous
groups Of statuary, rows of chestnut trees,
flowers growing under glass, ponds for
swans, etc. The city lies in valley sur
rounded by vine clad hills Oh every side but
the town, almost completely circles round
ii, through tunnels and over high trestles,
descending nearly 400 feet after the city is
first seen from the heights. The churches
which are such an object of interest in most
cities are very commonplace here, being
mostly new and not specially attractive. In
the centre of the city is an old castle, which
is still in good condition and is used by the
royal family, think; in any event it is in
habited from cellar to garrett. In all Europe
an cities great stress is laid on architectural
effect of all buildings, especially public ones
and l have not seen a city where the ex-
-terior is more pleasing than here. The
stores are usually to 5 stories high and
are always decorated in some way, many
having statues and groups of artistic merit
The stone used In building is sort of red
sandstone much the same as is used in st.
Paul and Minneapolis and presents strik-
ing contrast to the beautiful marble of Italy
or the granite of Switzerland. The hills
that encompass the city are the same color,
not an Indifferent reddish hue but very
clearly defined red, almost the color of red
<gick. The weather has been absolutely
perfect for several weeks except one day in
Switzerland. The trees are just budding.
The grass is green and sky is cloudless.
On Monday l went to Heidleburg. This
was Prince Bismark's birthday and the ride
of 100 miles was complete round of holi-
day exercises. Every little village was
5Gaily decorated and the entire populace
seemed to have joined in the celebration.
AT Reidleburg where l arrived about noon,
che exercises were very elaborate and in
vlpded procession miles in length.
Thousands of children were marshaled
with their parents and l watched it pass
the windows of the hotel until l was GER
tain that it would never end and did not
wait to see how long it would take to COM
plete it.
j first visited the old castle on the hill
aae most venerable ruin in Germany or
gather the most imposing. 1t is situated
high upon the bluff that hangs over the
Neckar and covered acres when it was used
couple of centuries ago. Now the towns
are half demolished and the four story royal
apartments are represented only by walls
without covering on one side. In the
center the buildings are still in good con-
dition> and are used as living rooms by the
custodians. The rear is also in good con-
,aiti0n, the lofty watch tower being unin-
5ueed. In the center is a covered well that
was formerly 500 feet deep and reached the
tevel of the river. This well was protected
(Iy masonry to the very bottom. An object |
OF interest is the old wine celler This was |
as large as public hall and once con-
ained 5 casks, holding 10000 gallons each, |
one Of which remains. The great cask or |
tirDs holding 40, 900 gallons, is still in good |
can&itioR and the pump used to draw the |
iBGtg- The banqueting hall is still used
for public occasions, being last used on the
occasion of the 500th anniversary of the
of the University in 1886. The
nnoat around the castle is now partly filed
lp. This was 40 feet deep and could be
filed Immediately from reservoir on the
bill. During the afternoon l climbed the
hill back of the town, 1900 feet above the
level. Here is a tower 93 steps high erected
during the Franco-Prussan war as a watch
tower. You get view of the Rhine coun-
try for miles and can see as far as Stras-
burg at least IS miles. On the north and
east the country is mountainous and you
can see scores of little villages in the ravines
and valleys. The Rhine country is fat in
that vicinity but is not uninteresting.
The next day went for few hours to
Mannheim and then to Frankfort where
one day, going to Mayence at
500 a. m. after night in Frankfort, then
10 Bingen where 1 stayed over night and
got up this morning at $50 to come down
the Rhine and 1t took nearly all day. From
here 60 directly to Brussels and then to
Paris, where shall be about the 10th or
Eth, and shall stay until May LIST, going
then to England. III. B. d.