The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-05-01
GLIMPsEs OF GERMAN LIFE.
BERLIN. April 4.

100 marks. between S24 and S25) a
calendar month. That will include
room with fire and light and service,
and the five German meals a day.
The first breakfast, consisting of cof-
fee and rolls and served almost any
time before 9; the second breakfast at
IL. dinner at 2, coffee at 5, and supper
at s. l mention especially what
things are Included in the price be-
cause one has to be so very careful
here not TO have unsupported extras
charged up to him.
Sunday morning l went to the Dom
kirche where one hears the best choir
of mems and boys voices in the city.
The sermon was not impressive, but I
was interested in following the Ger
man. 1 took dinner with three Am
erican girls who have been here for
several years and who live in a Ger
man family. Wespoke German en-
tirely at dinner and L could not help
rejoicing to find (you will pardon me
if seem to boast just a little bit, J
that 1 speak better German than
either of those girls. 1t really does
pay to study German in America, in
spite of what people say.
The other night heard Faust, given
beautifully at the Royal Thester. The
stage setting was of course perfect, and
the actors were the best in Berlin. And
in the Royal TheAter, of course, one
hears the most perfect pronunciation.
know Faust pretty we'll, so can't
judge how much would have under
stand if it had been entirely new,
but it seemed to me that they all
spoke very distinctly.
Monday morning 1 went out to
Charlottesburg, a suburb of Berlin,
containing a royal palace, once the
residence of Frederick L. The most
interesting feature of the place in a
beautiful mausoleum, where Queen
Louise, Frederick William III, EN-
peror William 1. and Empress Au-
gusta repose. The building is not in
itself imposing, but the recumbent
marble figures of the four royal per-
personages are beautiful.
Monday evening went with some
ladies to comedy given at the Schil-
Ter Theater,-reslIy one of the most
side-splitting farces 1 ever heard.
The Schiller Theater is theater for
the people. The most expensive seats
are only two marks (about so cents,)
but it is managed by the Government
aud no immoral or even poor plays
are allowed. Indeed a great many
classic plays are given here. 1t is
cheap but respectable. IeDjOyed the
comedy, and 1 enjoyed seeing the
German life. Between acts we went
down into the Foyer. In German
plays there is always one lsng pause
in which men and women both get up
and go to the Foyer for something to
eat and drink, at this theater pecul-
lar looking sandwiches and beer. In
the Royal Theater the Foyer is quite
elegant, and smoking is not allowed.
If l were alone at the theater / think
1 should avoid the Foyer, but 1t gives
one an interesting glimpse of German
customs. In Berlin, by the way, it
is perfectly proper for a woman,
young or old, to go to the Royal
Theater or the Royal Opera House
and certain other theaters unescorted
and to go to the third or fourth gal
lery, too.
This morning 1 went to
the bark and got one of my American
Express Company orders cashed.
This Is certainly a very convenient
way of carrying money. They re.
quire no Identification, and there is
no red tape about them at all.
1 am comfortably established in my
new quarters and think 1 shall find
the place as pleasant as any German
house hold can be to an American.
Their absurd meal times 1 can never
approve of, but the Frau is very kind
and accommodating, and if don't want
to stay at home all day in order to be
there at s, IL, ., sand 8, can arrange
it. For instance, this morning 1 had
my first and second breakfast in oDe
at :3O,-coffee, eggs, cold meats and
rolls. 1 spent the morning visiting
the Hohenzollern Museum, where the
innumerable interesting personal
possessions of the royal Prussians are
preserved. At two we had dinner
roast meat, potatoes, two other vege-
tables whose names don't know but
one of which could eat, gravy; and
for dessert, canned peas! 1t was so
much better than had expected
after all the terrible tales of German
living, that 1 was really rejoiced. At
five o'clock had my coffee and rolls
l. I . - - l.