Catoctin clarion., 1900-09-20
Antwerp, Belgium.

tne ldiuous uHiNCioNy WY VI AS"e'Do'h' .
The first place we reach of any importance
is Augsberg celebrated as the scene OF several
diets held by Charles V during the stormy
davs of the Reformation. The country thro'
which we pass is mainly an agricultural one
and gives US very good idea of the products
of Germany. Tobacco, wheat and the vine
seem to be extensively cultivated. The wheat
was just being harvested which seemed odd
to us, 80 late in the season. The farming
implements and methods were very primitive
the wheat was being cut mainly with old
fashioned cradles, though we saw few self
binders 1t is quite common sight IN Ger
many, as indeed it is everywhere on the
continent, to see women working in the fields
We noticed very ingenious arrangement
for growing grapes at several places along
the road. A steep hillside had been terraced
by building low stone walls at intervals along
the slopes; in the spaces between vines were
growing luxuriantly. Marrow stone steps
from top to bottom at different places served
as means Of access to the vineyards and also
to carry off superhuors rain.
At Stuttgart we change cars and stop for
ten minutes. 1t is the Capitol of Wurtem-
burg, having population of 100000; being
a modern town with few structures ofhstoric
interest, we did not remain here longer than
the time allowed for changing cars. After
some exciting experiences in transferring
ourselves and our baggage from one train to
another, we reached Heidelberg, fine city
with handsome, substantial buildings. Soon
after our arrival we entered carriages for a
drive to the famous castle. Our driver, rem
dered communicative by the judicious pres
ent of cigar, pointed out places Of interest
on the way. A diminutive youth who passed,
we were told, was student at the University
from Russia. who was so fortunate as to
possess new suit of clothes for every day in
the week The road winds up steep hill,
revealing at every turn views OF the river
Nrukar and the city below us. A number OF
handsome houses were pointed out to US az
the homes of the students who are divided
into corps according to their native countries
After quite climb we reached the castle,
situated ON commanding elevation. Hell
de,berg became the seat Of the government
of the Palatinate IN 1928 Being an impor-
tan, position, a stronghold was erected here
in the 18th century; it was enlarged and
strengthened by successive electors until it
4 11 1nf, ri roc Stl
of Europe. 1t IS now a ruin but is being
restored by the government to keep it from
falling entirely into decay. We frs, entered
small room where the original statues which
,dorned the walls are kept to preserve them
from the damaging effects of the weather.
An agreeable novelty in the shape OF a WON
an guide accompanied US and gave descrp'
tions of the various rooms first in German
for the benefit of tourists Of that nationality,
and then in very good English for ours. We
then descended by dark winding stairs to the
provision cellar where the stores were kept.
Quite conveniently situated adjoining this is
the banquet hall and the chapel. the latter in
process of restoration We assembled the
steps again ard were repaid for the effort by
very magnificent view from the balcony.
The city lies at our feet with the Neckar
flowing in the midst Far off in the distance
we could see the city of Mannheim and beyond
a range of the Alps bounded our vision We
then saw the Mirror Hall, so called because
its walls were lined with court mirrors, the
Emperor's hall, the octagon tower from
which the cannon were fired and the knights
kitchen with an immense chimney where
oxen were roasted whole, in "the good old
days of old" Again We went down into the
cellar and saw the great Tun or VINE barrel
which held az, 600 gallons Of wine. 1t has
not been used for hundred years or more
and now has n dancing floor built on 1t.
Near by was the statue of court fool who
drank 1S bottles Of wine a day. A clock Of
peculiar construction WAS pointed out TO US
which, we were told by the guide, would
strike if opened. Unsuspecting of guile one
of our party opened the door to receive tap
in the face from foX's tail so arranged on
spring as to strike the unwary traveller
who was betrayed into disclosing 1t. One Of
the most interesting points is the Blown up
tower" which was the powder magazine Of
the castle and was blown up by the French
in 1889. The ct tstG is surrounded by - beau.
tiful garden; we were shown spot in this
where Goethe used to come to- mediate and
compose some of his poems. "The shades of
night were falling fast" as we returned to the
town but we took time to visit the Univer-
sity and see the class rooms and the lecture
and assembly hall. We also saw the prison
where refractory students are kept The
walls are decorated with numerous dra wings
IN the production Of which thcyouths while
away the time spent in durancc vile. There
was young man imprisoned whom we called
to see; he was apparently enjoying himself
very much, smoking and reading. One Of
the peculiar features of this university Is the
practice of duelng which obtains here.
The code only allows blow with the broad
blade OF the sword which is sharp at the
end, and Ms the rest of the body Is protected,
the face bears the brunt Of the attack. Con-
sequently one sees number of men with
SCARED faces in this part of Germany.
On Saturday morning we started for Weis-
baden. Reaching Mayence we found it gaiy
decorated with bunting and flags and were
told by an attendant at the station that we
had arrived at a fortunate hour as "our
Emperor" was there and would pass over
bridge near by in half an hour. Notwth
standing our desire to see Wilhelm we were
nhlred To fnregO the pleasure in order to