The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-11-02
THE MOST ARISTOCRATIC CAPITAL IN

tails dashed amid the simmer of joy
pinnacles. the irridescence of the
northern rainbow and the scintillant
flashes from the open portals of Wal
halla.
To the casual visitor all modern Euro
pean cities present, more or less, a SINH
larlty of appearance and one must learn
to know his environment before he can
appreciate its specific and Individual
charms. One of the charms of the Aus
trian capital is its exceptional cleanli-
ness. It's streets shine as though they
had been passed under a smoothing iron;
no electric tram poles are allowed upon
the Ringstrasse the cars all receiving
their impetus and motor power from an
underground current: the electric light
poles are very tall and all silvered while
half way up their length is a metal
basket which is filled with flowers in
season. all of which lends an aspect OF
enchantment to the splendid esplanade
Another Viennese charm Is the rich uni
form of the military officers It Is by far
the handsomest regalia worn today by
men of war and the officers are as rule
men of magnificent physique and COM
manding mien. IL is treat to see them
either in parade or upon the trottoir.
Another charm, provided one has time
to enjoy it, is the banking system of
Vienna Who that has experienced 1t
will deny that it is treat to do BUSH
ness In an European bank when you
have nothing else to do7
For the sake of the initiated a brief
sketch of the modus operandi will not
lack In interest Formerly most Of the
banks Of Europe occupied the second
story of the building and while this holds
good In many instances today, yet wnere
modern hank edifices have been erected
compromise has been effected by Mac
Ing the banking room in the mezzenine.
or if II Is upon the ground floor, it Is
always elevated and one must ascend a
flight of steps to enter. And when the
entrance is effected one feels as though
he were In large parlor in lieu of a
money establishment The hat must be
removed, for the hatrack at the doof
gives you salient invitation to suspend
your headsear thereon. The large area
is dotted with sofas and divans, a gentle
hint that one must not be in a hurry.
An usher approaches you and after you
state to him your business he conducts
you with bow to the proper department
Here you are handed a ticket bearing a
number and then you retire to one of the
sofas or divans to inaugurate the waiting
process and lucky it is that you have no
train to catch, no enga cement to keep
or no approaching meal to discuss. You
would be still more lucky II you were
for the time being minus a watch so as
to inhibit you noting the flights mo.
crawl is the world of the hours. You
wait with a smile, then with frown
and then with a swear. If you are I'M
familiar with the language of the land you
have nothing to divert your attention ex-
cept your watch and the oftener you gaze
at 1t the oftener you-well. you do not
say your prayers. If. when your number
is called. you do not respond Immediately
(Which IS frequently the case when you
do not understand the language your
ticket is laid as'ie by the teller to make
way for another 1'rEet and you wait some
more. Then the DO ring usher approaches
and by signs makes you understa nd that
your money has been ready for some time