Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-08-29
Communicated.
Paris Franco. Aug. l2,l9l2.

dilos iduSSg mug IL iSA-'
Dear Register-Of course We made il
special point to see the new great Luth-
eran Cathedral al Berlin, built by the
present emperor, to be the Westminster
Abbey of Germany. Ii is the Bysantine
style with central dome, nearly as large
as ST. Peters, and is quite as imposing.
The altar, crucifiX and rerados seem
quite Romanesque, but the statue ofMar-
tin Luther, standing high at the arch OF
the chancel, tells at once its denomina-
ton and spirit. Mcclellan stands on the
opposite side, next Zwingle and Calvin
all of them having due part in the
Evangelical Church of Germany. The
organ, high up in the right transept is the
most elaborate and splendid in appear
ance of all in this, its natureland. Under
it, the way leads to the rotunda, where is
an exquisite marble monument OF Bis
mark. The church stands at the head OF
the "Unter den Linden" the most COM
handing position in Berlin, and is sur
rounded by massive bronze monuments.
neglected TO mention that the chancel
windows are the most splendid that art,
intellect and wealth could produce.
Coming from Berlin we passed through
Wittenburg and saw the old two-towered
cathedral where Luther nailed his 90 the
sis. Looking at the plan, il seemed
strange that here between these two old
rather delapidated towns began the great
est world movement OF modern ages.
One contrast cannot help making-that
In beautiful Italy (which ! love perchance
better than my fatherland, Germany a
great part of the people are either priests
or pauper beggars-in Germany you see
neither class. You see filth, fleaS and
flies in Italy-none in Germany. The
latter country is painfully clean and prop
er, alike our neighboring village, BoonS-
boro, where they scrub the the streets
every Saturday-and also raise the best
canteloupes in the world. They do say
that Germany does not take religion Sc
rtouSly-but if cleanliness is next to god
Illness, they will pass in. did not see
drunken man in Germany, even though |
saw notable sign on a drink shop
"Grog. American"
Our trip took us through Rome, Gen.
eva and Wittenburg-the three great GEN.
tres of religion OF the larger denomina-
tons and so deservedly celebrate there
for. AT Venice we saw the st. Mark
Square Illuminated by one hundred thouS-
and electric bulbs, and in the old quain!
cathedral heard splendid Regimen Mass
full orchestra, organ and opera choir,
nine cardinals in the chancel, so it was a
high fete. Also at Milan, just as we were
about to leave, we heard the tones OF the
grand organ come rolling down through
the long nave, so we went back and
heard a gorgeous music service there-a
special Providence.
In Munich we heard the most celebrat-
ed orchestra in the "Ton-halle" give a
full Wagner programme. This is the
highest music can reach. Germans are
so exquisitely clean in their farm work,
household, water and tables, cannot i'm
agine why they are not so about the air
they breathe, for they seem TO prefer it
mixed in even proportions with tobacco
smoke and beer fumes. No matter where
you are, the German puffS at his cigar
and proceeds calmly 10 puff his tobacco
in your face, and no matter how many
ladies are in the circle. ! imagine how
a coterie of our high spirited women who
hate tobacco smoke would teach these
men the manners Of gentlemen as once
saw Washington woman, against whose
remonstrance a smoker was determined
to smoke, take his pipe, throw il out the
window and preSumptouSly told the gen.
teman to follow it and not return to her
presence.
But the Germans-surely they are bur-
led with pipes in their mouths so they
can smoke even in the grave. Well, they
will likely smoke in the next world.
Yours,
ST. JOHN Dyer.