Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-09-08
HOMEWARD BOUND
Foreign Experiences at an End,
Home Again

NEW York, August IS, 1909
DEAR GAZETTE: In six hours af-
ter leaving Coblence, Germany,
arrive at Cologne, a town of 453, OOO
population. This celebrated old
city is one of the most important
commercial centres of Germany. AS
its name indicates it was an old Ro-
man settlement and its ancient char
acter is preserved in its numerous
crooked streets and narrow alleys,
though the modern part of the town
with it's magnificent buildings will
bear comparison with the most
beautiful cities of Europe. Never
theless it is no easy matter for the
stranger to find his way about Col
ogne. Starting from the Central
station the Cathedral comes first;
thence across Domhof and westward
through Inter Goldschmidt past
the Moltke monument. Here turn
to the left aud in few PAGES reach
the porch OF the Rathause, thence
through Burger street to alien mar
ket. The Cathedral is considered
to be the crown OF Gothic architec-
ture. It's grand proportions, innum-
cradle turrets and delicate tracery
produce an effect upon the beholder
at once imp )sing and overawing.
The building was begun in 124S
and continued for two centuries.
The work then began to slacken; by
the end of the 18th century the edi-
fee was falling to ruin and was used
by the French as barn,
Frederick William Bird of Prussia
issued an order for it's restoration
and the work of completion was car
ried on so that by 1880 the edifice
was opened in the presence of EN-
peror William 1st. There are two
towers each $50 feet high. In the
south tower is the famous Kaiser
glocke. This bell was cast in 1875
at cost of 81 600 marks out OF ~
cannon captured in the Franco
Prussian war and presented to the
Cathedral by Emperor William 1st.
The height of the bell is l4t feet, its
greatest breadth III feet and its
weight without the tongue $4,000
Kilograms. "a kilogram is a frac-
ton more than two pOunds.) The
interior is majestic in its simplicity,
the eve almost losing itself in the
endeavor to follow the lofty pillars
that branch away into the vaulting
of the roof above.
The Rathause is an interesting
building, begun in the 14th century.
but with extensive additions made
at later periods. Ii contains a
beautiful Renaissance hall. At the
back OF the building is a fountain
with statue of Jan Van Werth, q
general who played an important
part in the thirty years war.
The large Rhine bridge was built
in 1860. tits 1882 feet long and is
OF iron hanked by six
stone towers. Above the entrance
are the equestrian statues Of Fred
erick William 4ta and Emperor
William 1st. The Drei Konigen
Kapelle is said to be the resting
place of the three kings who came
to worship the child, Jesus, their
remains having been brought hither
from Milan by Kaiser Frederick LIST
The church of St. Maria is a cruel
lorm Romanesque basilica and next
TO the Cathedral, the finest, icclesas-
tical building in the city. 1t dates
from the early half OF the 11th GEN.
tury and contains some beautiful
stained glass and magnificent
crypt.
Cologne is a very beautiful city
and one OF the most interesting in
Germany. 1 would like to write
you of many more interesting parts
but l must hlrry on, for my time is
limited.
leave Cologne by rail and after
eight hours on a fast train l am
once again in dear old Paris. Be-
ore arriving at Paris on the border
between Germany, Belgium and
France passed through one OF the
most spectacular performances with
he custom house officers one ever
on account of having in
ny possession one dozen boxes OF
matches worth 5 cents, four pack
lges of tobacco costing % cents. |
vas compelled to pay 30 cents duty
.nd give up nine of the boxes OF
matches and a ceremony through
which | had to pass was enough to
make one not familiar with the same
hink that | would be thrown in
prison or sent to guillotine. The
government of France does not al
ow any matches or tobacco to be
brought in by any one.
Germany all in all is beautiful
country. The farms and crops are 5
n perfect condition. | was much
pleased with my visit, from start to
inish. The Germans are friendly,
ind, happy people.
Paris has a population of 3,0OO,-
90 and of all the cities in the world
hat have visited, and | think there
re but few that l have not seen.
'aris is THE city in every particu-
ar. Pretty girls in Paris are con-
picuous by their presence. Pretty
american girls in Paris are con
picuous by their absence. The arc ,
g Triomphe is the most lovely spot !!
D the city. Here twelve avenues
leet-the two most worthy of men, '
ION are Bots de Boulogne and !,
,hamps Ulysses, each $50 feet broad !,
nd much frequented by elegant .
arriages and automobiles. s
Several years ago | wrote you OF h
lany of the most important places,
streets, etc., so now as II