, 1900-07-13
SIGHTS OF BERLIN
MISS MOUDY WRITES INTEREST
ING LETTER FROM GER
MAN CAPITAL.
Visit to a Reform School for Boys and
to the City School Museum-En-
loving the University Very Much
Carpets and Rugs Are Luxuries
Beer and Sausage.

written by Miss Alice Maude Moudy
are quite interesting. Miss Moudy, a
graduate of the University OF Wyo-
ming, is now attending the University
of Berlin:
This afternoon a young lady took
me to visit a reform school for boys
in the outskirts of Berlin. 1t was very
interesting. AS we entered the grounds
we found about one hundred boys play
ing in a large open court. Here were
turning poles, trapeze. etc, upon which
the little fellows were performing all
sorts of feats. 1t was truly as good as
going to a circus to e them. Some
were 'India-rubber men already and
could turn themselves into all sorts OF
shapes; others scrambled up their iron
poles, with almost the dexterity Of a
cat when climbing a tree; others hung
from the trapeze or s%pringing from
these turned double summer-saults in
the air. etc. 1t was remarkable. They
have a special trainer there, who
teaches them all these things. Their
play battle was fine. and how they did
enjoy it!
In the building, the first room we
visited was occupied by a number, per-
haps sixteen, of boys of 10 to 13 years
- nr, All warn bpcu Iarpinu tnpir
stockings under the supervision of a
teacher. | never saw nicer work and
how proud they were when we praised
them. Another set Of boys were knit
ting. in this way replacing vanished
toes and heels or making entire stock
ings. In all the working rooms We
found some busy ones. In the tailor
they were patching their clothes.
Here they also make their new clothes.
The young cobblers were busted in
manufacturing new shoes for them
One place was devoted to the
making of travelling baskets (straw
trunks); another book binding, where
they make note books, which are CIV
to the poor children in the public
(Last year $4,000 was earned
in this way.) In the carpenter shop
are desks, tables, etc., made for the
public schools in Berlin. Each bed
contains about forty beds, all
and neat, and the numerous win
dows supply plenty Of light and venti-
The sick room was smaller and
contained about ten beds. In cupboards
in the halls were cups, tooth brushes
and combs, one of each belonging to
every child in the school. The kitchen
and laundry were in another building
and as it was time for the .abend,' or
supper, some of the boys were carry
ing great boilers OF beer soup and
baskets of rye bread to the main build
ing. They who were supping seemed
to be enjoying the fare. The prisons
were small, light rooms, not cells, but
with thick walls and a strong Goor
through which no sound could pass.
The offender, only for a grave offense,
is lodged here in solitary confinement,
with a of have forgotten what-for
days. The children are never
whipped. but they are excellently disci-
1t is early to bed
and early to rise, battle ev-
cry other day, have lessons in
the common school branches, from Z
until IL in the morning, with some
time for play between these hours.
The chapel was a very pretty place and
a very nice organ, so with
food for the spirit, intellect and body,
of exercise and sleep, they seem
to have a very good home. The fare,
Of course, is plain. with meat twice a
week, ETC., but they are not stinted in
to the amount-they are allow
to eat all they want. All the work
done in the place is performed by these
boys, under the guidance of a teacher
cooking, washing. sewing etc.-so that
when a child has been here some time,
if furnished the raw material, will be
able to provide for his every want.
Just before We left the boys were call
ed together for prayers, which they
say in concert and then they were sent
to bed at s o'clock, and after the last
wooden-soled, heelless slipper had clat-
tered up the stone steps, and a many
voiced Amen had issued from the
doors and windows, the entire place
was so quiet that it was difficult to be-
lieve that two hundred unruly boys,
many of whom were already young
were not two hundred miles
away.
"Oh, l am so delighted, for l have the
prospect Of being allowed to visit the
Berlin public schools. Yesterday I
visited the city school museum, in one
of the school buildings. The principal,
| believe, was there and was very nice,
and showed me various things and ex-
planned their use. After l had told him
that | was a teacher from the United
States l asked him a number Of ques-
tons concerning the school and finally
il it were possible for me to visit the
during the session. He said that
several people had done SO, then wrote
me the address Of the man from whom
l must obtain the official permit. The
museum raj nothing but the school IL
brary and a number of maps, charts,