Year: 1873

C. C. Fulton, of the Baltimore Amer
ican is writing very interesting letters
from Europe. We extract the follow
ing paragraphs from letter written at
Vienna:


There is no doubt about the fact that
the drinking water of Vienna is not
palatable, whatever it may be in the
matter of health 1t has most insipld
taste, as if impregnated with alum, and
as it is always tepid warm in summer,
cannot be considered as desirable for
the slaking of thirst. Very few persons
in Vienna drink simple and pure water
even among the poor, as they all contin-
ue to put something in it to give it a
taste. 1t is what we would call excess
lively hard water soap instantly curdling
on the top of it. On questioning people
here, it will be found that nine out of
ten will say Il never drank water. 1t
called for in q hotel the waiter looks at
you in wonder, starts of, and after stay
ing long enough to go to the top of the
house, brings you decanter filled, then
stands off and stands in apparent won,
der gulping it down. If ice is called
for at least half an hour further delay is
necessary. In short nobody drinks
water or uses ice, and all demands for
them are extraordinary and out OF the
regular order of events. The water
here does not seem to slake thirst, al
though it is pure and sparkling to the
eye. do not, however, believe it to
be unhealthy. Most of our party are
great water drinkers, and use it freely
Notwithstanding its bad name, and are
all in the enjoyment of extraordinary
health. With water so little tempting
to the palate, it is not to be wondered
that the people prefer wine and beer
when they can get it, and give water the
go-by. There is no beer in the world
equal in quality to that of Vienna, and
the quantity consumed in day must he
immense. The city is surrounded by
breweries, and if they should happen to
all burn down, it would be as bad as
the water famine in Baltimore last year.


The ladies of Vienna do not keep
themselves housed up, and out of sight,
as is the practice Of those Of Paris. In
Paris a really fine dressed lady is sell
dom to be seen upon the streets If
those who do dress well in parlors or in
their carriages venture out for prone
made they put on plain black dresses
and assimilate themselves to the masses.
In Vienna, however, fine dressings the
is the rule Of the street, and you trc-
quently see ladies IN complete velvet or
satin suits, with trails sweeping the
pavement. The weather has been bad
for spring dresses and bonnets, cold
and raw, with intermittent rains, but a
CLEAN of sunshine brings them on the
street, and they make grand display
on all the thoroughtares. They are also
decidedly handsome, and some of them
remarkably beautiful. A lady of youth
and personal attractions must, however,
never walk alone on the streets, or she
is liable to be joined and probably. in
suited by the crowds of smartlooking
Austrian officers who are always ogling
the ladies. Two ladies together can go
anywhere with impunity, even enter the
cafes or gardens, and take their refresh
ments as safely as if they had male
attendant, but singly they must not
venture anywhere. This is better than
Paris, where ladies cannot go on the
streets unattended by gentlemen with
out being liable to insult, no difference
how many of them may be together.