Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-13

but to balance that you have whole
lot of other things I don't Likely
Not the words alone but the fun and
spirit in his manner of uttering them,
were Irresistible; and a well-nigh audi
BILE grin of applause from his sympa-
thiZing countrymen greeted his thrust.
AS We entered the great metropolis the
trains speed was slackened; and for
several minutes we rolled slowly over
buildings, and streets, and even high
above other elevated tracks. In the
great Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse the
train stopped at last; and Herr X,
with low bow, took his departure. A
fine mist filled the air as we emerged
from the Bahnhof and turned into
Friedrichstrasse, one of the main cham
nels of the city's trade. Though broad,
the street is not so wide as 1 had sup
posed, from its appearance on the chart
in comparison with other streets Of the
city.
In Hanover 1 had heard much Of the
din and crush OF Berlin, and had
ina gined it to be like lower New York.
But. although it was midday and the
street and sidewalks We're full, yet that
"Gcmuetiichket." which characterizes
Hanover. was not wholly wanting
even here in Berlin.
Here also limitation in the height of
buildings ensures a generous measure
of light and air impossible in a sky
sCraping neighbOrhood. Nor should
the Kaiser be forgotten in this cOnnec-
ncction. He has a high appreciation
of art, and of the value of its Influence
upon peoples culture. He realizes
not only that proper conditions of light
and air are thus maintained. but also
that only with such limitation of
building height can the beauty of art
in exterior architecture be made APP
probable. Thousands expended upon
plans and outward adornment of build
ings would be in large measure wasted.
were not conditions of space so con-
trolled that Il structure may be seen
as q whole and the inspiration of the
architects genius be felt by The be-
holder. l was told that in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the parliament
building no new structure can be
erected until the plans are first sub
mitted to the Kaiser. In a western
district known as Halensee, no struc-
ture more than two stories high is
allowed. and the total height must not
exceed the width of the street. More
over Il legal minimum of space must
here be left between each dwelling
house and its next neighbor.
When we had eaten our dinner we
Sauntered through that portion of the
historic avenue known as Inter den
Linden which extends westward from
FriedrichStrasSe to the Brandenburger
Tor. A klometer in length and sixty
meters in width, this avenue is planted
with four rows of linden and chestnut
trees. Through the middle runs Il
broad "allee" for pedestrians. {: t each
side of which is n narrower way for
horSemen: while beyond, on both sides
of the avenue. are generous drivewayS
and broad sidewalks. ANON, the
buildings which line the street are in
Guided embassies of various nations.
palatial residences of titled nobility.
splendid hotels and business houses.
elegant stores. restaurants. and cafes.
On the west the avenue terminates in
the Place of Paris and the Branden-
burg Gate, the latter. with its adjoining
structures, presenting a purity of
classic beauty which chains one to the
spot in speechless delight. At this
place very significant fact was
noticed. The passage through the
Brandenburger Tor is divided into
five portals. the central broadcast of ALL
Moisture from the atmosphere COM
bining with the dust of the street had
formed no !,
coating of mud, in which were dis
tinctly visible the whceltracks of
carriages that had rolled through the
first. second fourth and fifth portals
But before the central passage
stretched a broad space wbereOn
neither wheeltrack nor foOtstcp was
visible; and we saw that at the further
side Il guard was stationed to allow
none but royal equipages to pass that
central portal. For it was here in 1871
that the triumphant legions of the
newly reunited empire. upon trcir re-
turn from France, marched into the
rejoicing city.
We found it difficult to acquire a
satisfactory idea Of Berlin in seven
days. With a stay of three months the
prospect might have been a little
brighter. A few impressions are all
which we We're able to bring away,
nor is it probable that they include
anything of value which has not been
already felt and realized by many other
New England visitors.
Here in Berlin I was again i'm
pressed with the sane conduct kindly
disposition and beneficent activity Of
i. the German police. The crossing at