第10章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"A Visit to Iceland",免费读到尾

  EverySundaymorning,ateighto\'clock,alittlesteamerleavesStockholmforthiscastle;thedistanceisaboutforty-fivemiles,andispassedinfourhours;fourhoursmoreareallowedforthestay,andintheeveningthesteamerreturnstoStockholm。Thisexcursionisveryinteresting,althoughwepassthegreaterpartofthetimeonthatportionofthelakewhichwehadseenonourarrival,butforthelastfewmilestheshipturnedintoaprettybay,atwhoseapexthecastleissituated。Itisdistinguishedforitssize,itsarchitecture,anditscolossalturrets。Itisunfortunately,however,paintedwiththefavouritebrick-redcolouroftheSwedes。

  Twoimmensecannons,whichtheSwedesoncegainedinbattlefromtheRussians,standinthecourtyard。Theapartmentsinthecastle,whicharekeptingoodcondition,displayneithersplendournorprofusionofappointments,indeedalmostthecontrary。Theprettytheatreis,however,anexception:foritswallsareinlaidfromtoptobottomwithmirrors,itspillarsaregilt,andtheroyalboxtapestriedwithrichredvelvet。TherehasbeennoperformanceheresincethedeathofGustavusIII。

  Theimmenselymassivewallsarearemarkablefeatureofthispalace,andmustmeasureaboutthreeyardsinthicknessinthelowerstories。

  Theupperapartmentsarealllargeandhigh,andaffordasplendidviewofthelakefromtheirwindows。Butitisimpossibletoenjoythesebeautifulsceneswhenonethinksofthesadeventswhichhavetakenplacehere。

  Twokings,JohnIII。andEricXIV。,thelatterwithfourofhisministers,whoweresubsequentlybeheaded,wereimprisonedhereformanyyears。ThecaptivityofJohnIII。wouldnothavebeensobad,ifcaptivitywerenotbadenoughinitself。Hewasconfinedinalargesplendidsaloon,butwhichhewasnotpermittedtoquit,andwhichhewouldthereforeprobablyhavegladlyexchangedforthepooresthutandliberty。Hiswifeinhabitedtwosmallerapartmentsadjoining;shewasnottreatedasaprisoner,andcouldleavethecastleatwill。HissonSigismundwasbornhereintheyear1566,andtheroomandbedinwhichhewasbornarestillshewnascuriosities。

  Eric\'sfatewasmuchmoreunfortunate,forhewaskeptinnarrowanddarkconfinement。Asmallrudely-furnishedapartment,withnarrow,iron-barredwindows,inoneofthelittleturretswashisprison。

  Theentrancewasclosedbyasolidoakendoor,inwhichasmallopeninghadbeenmade,throughwhichhisfoodwasgivenhim。Forgreatersecuritythisoakendoorwascoveredbyanironone。Roundtheoutsideoftheapartmentanarrowgalleryhadbeenmade,onwhichtheguardswereposted,andcouldatalltimesseetheirprisonerthroughthebarredwindows。Thespotisstillshewnatoneofthewindowswherethekingsatforhourslookingintothedistance,hisheadleaningonhishand。Whatmusthavebeenhisfeelingsashegazedonthebrightsky,theverdantturf,andthesmilinglake!Howmanysighsmusthavebeenechoedfromthesewalls,howmanysleeplessnightsmusthehavepassedduringthosetwolongyearsinanxiousexpectationofthefuture!

  Theguidewhotookusroundthecastlemaintainedthatthefloorwasmorewornonthisspotthananywhereelse,andthatthewindow-sashhadbeenhollowedbytheelbowofthemiserableking;butIcouldnotperceiveanydifference。Ericwaskeptimprisonedherefortwoyears,andwasthentakentoanotherprison。

  Thereisalargepicture-galleryinthiscastle;butitcontainsprincipallyportraitsofkings,notonlyofSweden,butofothercountries,fromtheMiddleAgesdowntothepresenttime;alsoportraitsofministers,generals,painters,poets,andlearnedmen;

  ofcelebratedSwedishfemales,whohavesacrificedthemselvesfortheircountry,andofthemostcelebratedfemalebeauties。Thenameanddateofbirthofeachpersonareaffixedtohisorherportrait,sothateachvisitormayfindhisfavouritewithoutguideorcatalogue。Inmanyofthemthecolouringanddrawingarewretchedenough,butwewillhopethattheresemblanceisallthemorestriking。

  Onourreturnseveralgentlemenwerekindenoughtodirectmyattentiontothemostinterestingpointsofthelake。AmongtheseI

  mustmentionKakeholm,itsbroadestpoint;theislandofEsmoi,onwhichaSwedishfemalegainedabattle;Norsberg,alsocelebratedforabattlewhichtookplacethere;andSturrehof,thepropertyofagreatSwedishfamily。NearBjarkesoeasimplecrossiserected,ostensiblyonthespotwhereChristianitywasfirstintroduced。

  IndeedtheMalarseehassomanyhistoricalassociations,inadditiontotheattractionsofitsscenery,thatitisoneofthemostinterestingseasnotonlyofSwedenbutofEurope。

  JOURNEYFROMSTOCKHOLMTOUPSALAANDTOTHEIRON-MINESOFDANEMORA

  September12th。

  TheintercoursebetweenStockholmandUpsalaisveryconsiderable。

  AsteamerleavesbothplaceseverydayexceptSunday,andtraversesthedistanceinsixhours。

  TemptedbythisconvenientopportunityofeasilyandquicklyreachingthecelebratedtownofUpsala,andbytheunusuallyfineweather,Itookmypassageoneevening,andwasgreatlydisappointedwhen,onthefollowingmorning,therainpoureddownintorrents。

  Butiftravellerspaidmuchattentiontotheweather,theywouldnotgofar;soIneverthelessembarkedathalf-pastseven,andarrivedsafelyinUpsala。Iremainedinthecabinduringthepassage,andcouldnotevenenjoytheprospectfromthecabin-windows,fortherainbeatonthemfromtheoutside,whileinsidetheywereobscuredbytheheat。ButIdidnotventureondeck,hopingtobefavouredbybetterweatheronmyreturn。

  Atlast,aboutthreeo\'clock,whenIhadbeeninUpsalamorethananhour,theweatherclearedup,andIsalliedouttoseethesights。

  FirstIvisitedthecathedral。Ientered,andstoodstillwithastonishmentatthechiefportal,onlookingupatthehighroofrestingontworowsofpillars,andcoveringthewholechurch。Itisformedinonebeautifulstraightline,unbrokenbyasinglearch。

  Thechurchitselfissimple:behindthegrandaltarahandsomechapeliserected,theceilingofwhichispaintedazureblue,embossedwithgoldenstars。InthischapelGustavusI。isinterredbetweenhistwowives。Themonumentwhichcoversthegraveislarge,andmadeofmarble,butclumsyandvoidoftaste。Itrepresentsasarcophagus,onwhichthreebodies,thesizeoflife,arelaid;amarblecanopyisraisedoverthem。Thewallsofthechapelarecoveredwithprettyfrescoes,representingthemostremarkablescenesinthelifeofthismonarch。Themostinterestingamongthemare,oneinwhichheentersapeasant\'shutinpeasant\'sattire,atthesamemomentthathispursuersareeagerlyinquiringafterhiminfrontofthehut;theother,whenhestandsonabarrel,alsodressedasapeasant,andharangueshispeople。TwolargetabletsinabroadgoldframecontaininSwedish,andnotintheLatinlanguage,theexplanationofthedifferentpictures,sothateverySwedemayeasilylearnthemonarch\'shistory。

  Severalothermonumentsareerectedintheside-chapels;thoseofCatharineMagelone,JohnIII。,GustavusErichson,whowasbeheaded,andofthetwobrothersSturre,whoweremurdered。ThemonumentofArchbishopMenander,inwhitemarble,isatastefulandartisticmodernproduction。ThegreatLinnaeusisburiedunderasimplemarbleslabinthischurch;buthismonumentisinoneoftheside-

  chapels,andnotoverhisgrave,andconsistsofabeautifuldark-

  brownporphyryslab,onwhichhisportraitissculpturedinrelief。

  Thesplendidorgan,whichreachesnearlytotheroofofthechurch,alsodeservesspecialattention。Thetreasure-chamberdoesnotcontaingreattreasures;theblood-stainedanddagger-torngarmentsoftheunfortunatebrothersSturrearekeptinaglasscasehere;

  andherealsostandsawoodenstatueoftheheathengodThor。ThiswoodenaffairseemstohaveoriginallybeenanEcceHomo,whichwasperhapstheornamentofsomevillagechurch,thencarriedoffbysomeunbeliever,andmademoreshapelessthanitscreator,notproficientinart,hadmadeit。Ithasagreaterresemblancenowtoafrightfulscarecrowthantoanythingelse。

  Thechurchyardnearthechurchisdistinguishedforitssizeandbeauty。Itissurroundedbyawallofstonetwofeethigh,surmountedbyanironpalisadingofequalheight,brokenbystonepillars。Onseveralsides,stepsaremadeintotheburying-groundoverthispartition。Inthiscemetery,asintheoneofStockholm,oneseemstobeinalovelygarden,laidoutwithalleys,arbours,lawns,&c。;butitismorebeautifulthantheother,becauseitisolder。Thegravesarehalfconcealedbyarbours;manywereornamentedwithflowersandwreaths,orhedgedbyrose-bushes。Thewholeaspectofthiscemetery,orratherofthisgarden,seemsequallyadaptedfortheamusementofthelivingorthereposeofthedead。

  Themonumentsareinnowaydistinguished;onlytwoareratherremarkable,fortheyconsistoftremendouspiecesofrockintheirnaturalcondition,standinguprightonthegraves。Oneofthesemonumentsresemblesamountain;itcoverstheashesofageneral,andislargeenoughtohavecoveredhiswholearmy;hisrelativesprobablytookthegravesofTroyasaspecimenfortheirmonument。

  Itismoreoverinscribedbyverypeculiarsigns,whichseemedtometoberuniccharacters。Thegoodpeoplehaveunitedinthismonumenttwocharacteristicsoftheancientsoftwoentirelydistinctempires。

  TheuniversityorlibrarybuildinginUpsalaislargeandbeautiful;

  itissituatedonalittlehill,withafinefrontfacingthetown。

  Thepark,whichis,however,stillsomewhatyoung,formsthebackground。{54}

  Nearthisbuilding,onthesamehill,standsaroyalpalace,conspicuousforitsbrick-redcolour。Itisverylarge,andthetwowingsarefinishedbymassiveroundtowers。

  Inthecentreofthecourtyard,behindthecastle,isplacedacolossalbustofGustavusI。,andafewpacesfromittwoartificialhillsserveasbastions,onwhichcannonsareplanted。Thisbeingthehighestpointofthetown,affordsthebestviewoverit,andoverthesurroundingcountry。

  Thetownitselfisbuilthalfofwoodandhalfofstone,andisverypretty,beingcrossedbybroadstreets,andornamentedwithtastefullylaid-outgardens。Ithasonedisadvantage,whichisthedarkbrownish-redcolourofthehouses,whichhasapeculiarlysombreappearanceinthesettingsun。

  Animmenseandfertileplain,diversifiedbydarkforestscontrastingwiththebrightgreenmeadowsandtheyellowstubble-

  fields,surroundsthetown,andinthedistancethesilveryriverFyrisflowstowardsthesea。Forestsclosethedistantviewwiththeirdarkshadows。Isawbutfewvillages;theymay,however,havebeenhiddenbythetrees,forthattheyexistseemstobeindicatedbythewell-kepthighroadscrossingtheplaininalldirections。

  BeforequittingmypositiononthebastionsoftheroyalpalaceI

  castaglanceonthecastle-gardens,whichwerelyinglowerdownthehill,andareseparatedfromthecastlebyaroad;theydonotseemtobelarge,butareverypretty。

  Ishouldhavewishedtobeabletovisitthebotanicgardennearthetown,whichwasthefavouriteresortofLinnaeus,whosesplendidly-

  sculpturedbustissaidtobeitschiefornament;butthesunwassettingbehindthemountains,andIrepairedtomychamber,toprepareformyjourneytoDanemora。

  September13th。

  IleftUpsalaatfouro\'clockinthemorning,toproceedtothefar-

  famediron-minesofDanemora,upwardsofthirtymilesdistant,andwhereIwishedtoarrivebeforetwelve,astheblastingtakesplaceatthathour,afterwhichthepitsareclosed。AsIhadbeeninformedhowslowlytravellingisdoneinthiscountry,andhowtediousthedelaysarewhenthehorsesarechanged,Ideterminedtoallowtimeenoughforallinterruptions,andyetarriveattheappointedhour。

  AfewmilesbehindUpsalaliesOldUpsalaGamlaUpsala。Isawtheoldchurchandthegrave-hillsinpassing;threeofthelatterareremarkablylarge,theotherssmaller。Itispresumedthatthehigheronescoverthegravesofkings。IsawsimilartumuliduringmyjourneytoGreece,onthespotwhereTroyissaidtohavestood。

  Thechurchisnothonouredasaruin;ithasyettodoservice;anditgrievedmetoseethevenerablebuildingproppedupandcoveredwithfreshmortaronmanyatime-wornspot。

  HalfwaybetweenUpsalaandDanemorawepassedalargecastle,notdistinguishedforitsarchitecture,itssituation,oranythingelse。ThenwenearedtheriverFyris,andthelonglakeofDanemora;botharequiteovergrownwithreedsandgrass,andhaveflatuninterestingshores;indeedthewholejourneyofferslittlevariety,astheroadliesthroughaplain,onlydiversifiedbywoods,fields,andpiecesofrock。Theseareinterestingfeatures,becauseonecannotimaginehowtheycamethere,themountainsbeingatagreatdistance,andthesoilbynomeansrocky。

  ThelittletownofDanemoraliesinthemidstofawood,andonlyconsistsofachurchandafewlargeandsmalldetachedhouses。Thevicinityoftheminesisindicatedbeforearrivingattheplacebyimmenseheapsofstones,whicharebroughtbyhorse-ginsfromthepits,andwhichcoveraconsiderablespace。

  Ihadfortunatelyarrivedintimetoseetheblastings。Thoseinthegreatpitarethemostinteresting;foritsmouthissoverylarge,thatitisnotnecessarytodescendinordertoseethepit-

  menwork;allisvisiblefromabove。Thisisaverypeculiarandinterestingsight。Thepit,480feetdeep,withitscolossaldoorsandentrancesleadingsintothegalleries,lookslikeapictureofthelowerworld,fromwhichbridgesofrocks,projections,archesandcavernsformedinthewalls,ascendtotheupperworld。Themenlooklikepigmies,andonecannotfollowtheirmovementsuntiltheeyehasaccustomeditselftothedepthandtothedarknessprevailingbelow。Butthedarknessisnotverydense;Icoulddistinguishmostoftheladders,whichseemedtomelikechildren\'stoys。

  Itwasnearlytwelve,andtheworkmenleftthepits,withtheexceptionofthoseinchargeofthemines。Theyascendedbymeansoflittletubshangingbyropes,andwereraisedbyawindlass。Itisaterriblesighttoseethemensoaringuponthelittlemachine,especiallywhentwoorthreeascendatonce;forthenonemanstandsinthecentre,whiletheothertworideontheedgeofthetub。

  Ishouldhavelikedtodescendintothegreatpit,butitwastoolateonthisday,andIwouldnotwaitanother。Ishouldnothavefearedthedescent,asIwasfamiliarwithsuchadventures,havingexploredthesalt-minesofWieliczkaandBochnia,inGallicia,someyearsbefore,inwhichIhadhadtoletmyselfdownbyarope,whichisamuchmoredangerousmethodthanthetub。

  Withthestrokeoftwelve,fourblastingtrainsinthelargepitwerefired。Themanwhosebusinessitwastoapplythematchranawayingreathaste,andshelteredhimselfbehindawallofrock。

  Inafewmomentsthepowderflashed,somestonesfell,andthenafearfulcrashwasheardallaround,followedbytherollingandfallingoftheblastedmasses。Repeatedechoesannouncedthefearfulexplosionintheinteriorofthepits:thewholeleftaterribleimpressiononme。Scarcelyhadonemineceasedtorage,whenthesecondbegan,thenthethird,andsoon。Theseblastingstakeplacedailyindifferentmines。

  Theotherpitsaredeeper,thedeepestbeing600feet;butthemouthsaresmaller,andtheshaftsnotperpendicular,sothattheeyeislostindarkness,whichisastillmoreunpleasantsensation。

  Igazedwithoppressedchestintothedarkspace,vainlyendeavouringtodistinguishsomething。Ishouldnotliketobeaminer;Icouldnotendurelifewithoutthelightofday;andwhenI

  turnedfromthedarkpits,Icastmyeyesthankfullyonthecheerfullandscapebaskinginthesun。

  IreturnedtoUpsalaonthesameday,havingmadethislittlejourneybypost。Icanmerelynarratethefacts,withoutgivinganopiniononthegoodorbadconveniencesforlocomotion,asthiswasmoreapleasure-tripthanajourney。

  AsIhadhirednocarriage,Ihadadifferentvehicleateverystation,andthesevehiclesconsistedofordinarytwo-wheeledwoodencarts。Myseatwasatrussofhaycoveredwiththehorse-cloth。Iftheroadshadnotbeensoextremelygood,thesecartswouldhaveshakenterribly;butasitwas,ImustsaythatIrodemorecomfortablythaninthecarriolsoftheNorwegians,althoughtheywerepaintedandvanished;forinthemIhadtobesqueezedinwithmyfeetstretchedout,andcouldnotchangemyposition。

  Thestationsareunequal,——sometimeslong,sometimesshort。Thepost-horsesareprovidedhere,asinNorway,bywealthypeasants,calledDschns-peasants。Thesehavetocollectacertainnumberofhorseseveryeveningforforwardingthetravellersthenextmorning。

  Ateverypost-houseabookiskept,inwhichthetravellercanseehowmanyhorsesthepeasanthas,howmanyhavealreadybeenhired,andhowmanyareleftinthestable。Hemusttheninscribehisname,thehourofhisdeparture,andthenumberofhorsesherequires。Bythisarrangementdeceptionandextortionareprevented,aseverythingisopen,andthepricesfixed。{55}

  Patienceisalsorequiredhere,thoughnotsomuchasinNorway。I

  hadalwaystowaitfromfifteentotwentyminutesbeforethecarriagewasbroughtandthehorsesandharnessprepared,butneverlonger;andImustadmitthattheSwedishpost-mastershurriedasmuchaspossible,andneverdemandeddoublefare,althoughtheymusthaveknownthatIwasinhaste。Thepaceofthehorsedependsonthewillofthecoachmanandthepowersofhissteed;butinnoothercountrydidIseesuchconsiderationpaidtothestrengthofthehorses。Itisquiteridiculoustoseewhatsmallloadsofcorn,bricks,orwood,areallottedtotwohorses,andhowslowlyandsleepilytheydrawtheirburdens。

  Thenumberofwoodengates,whichdividetheroadsintoasmanypartsastherearecommongroundsonit,areaterriblenuisancetotravellers。Thecoachmanhasoftentodismountsixoreighttimesinanhourtoopenandclosethesegates。Iwastoldthatthesedelectablegatesevenexistonthegreathighroad,onlynotquiteinsuchprofusionasontheby-roads。

  WoodmustbeasabundanthereasinNorway,foreverythingisenclosed;evenfieldswhichseemsobarrenasnottobeworththelabourorthewood。

  ThevillagesthroughwhichIpassedweregenerallyprettyandcheerful,andIfoundthecottages,whichIenteredwhilethehorseswerechanged,neatlyandcomfortablyfurnished。

  Thepeasantsofthisdistrictwearapeculiarcostume。Themen,andfrequentlyalsotheboys,wearlongdark-blueclothsurtouts,andclothcapsontheirheads;sothat,atadistance,theylooklikegentlemenintravellingdress。Itseemscurioustoaforeignertoseetheseapparentgentlemenfollowingtheploughorcuttinggrass。

  Atanearerview,ofcoursetheaspectchanges,andtherentsanddirtappear,ortheleathernapronwornbeneaththecoat,likecarpentersinAustria,becomesvisible。Thefemalecostumewaspeculiaronlyinsofarthatitwaspoorandragged。IndressandshoestheNorwegianandSwedesarebehindtheIcelanders,buttheysurpasstheminthecomfortoftheirdwellings。

  September14th。

  To-dayIreturnedtoStockholmontheMalarsee,andtheweatherbeingmorefavourablethanonmyformerpassage,Icouldremainondeckthewholetime。IsawnowthatwesailedforseveralmilesontheriverFyris,whichflowsthroughwoodsandfieldsintothelake。

  ThelargeplainonwhicholdandnewUpsalaliewassoonoutofsight,andafterpassingtwobridges,weturnedintotheMalar。Atfirsttherearenoislandsonitsflatexpanse,anditsshoresarestuddedwithlowtree-coveredhills;butwesoon,however,arrivedattheregionofislands,wherethepassagebecomesmoreinteresting,andthebeautyoftheshoresincreases。ThefirstfineviewwesawwastheprettyestateKrusenberg,whosecastleisromanticallysituatedonafertilehill。ButmuchmorebeautifulandsurprisingisthesplendidcastleofSkukloster,alarge,beautiful,andregularpile,ornamentedwithfourimmenseroundturretsatthefourcorners,andwithgardensstretchingdowntothewater\'sedge。

  Fromthisplacethesceneryisfullofbeautyandvariety;everymomentpresentsanotherandamorelovelyview。Sometimesthewatersexpand,sometimestheyarehemmedinbyislands,andbecomeasnarrowascanals。Iwasmostcharmedwiththosespotswheretheislandsliesoclosetogetherthatnooutletseemspossible,tillanotherturnshewsanopeningbetweenthem,withaglimpseofthelakebeyond。Thehillsontheshoresarehigher,andthepromontorieslarger,thefarthertheshipadvances;andtheislandsappeartobemerelyprojectionsofthecontinent,tillanearerapproachdispelstheillusion。

  ThevillageofSixtunaliesinapicturesqueandcharminglittlevalley,filledwithruins,principallyofroundtowers,whicharesaidtobetheremainsoftheRomantownofSixtum;thenamebeingretainedbythenewtownwithaslightmodification。

  Afterthisfollowcliffsandrocksrisingperpendicularlyfromthesea,andwhosevicinitywouldbebynomeansdesirableinastorm。

  OfthecastleofRouseonlythreebeautifuldomesriseabovethetrees;afrowningbleakhillconcealstherestfromtheeye。Thencomesapalace,thepropertyofaprivateindividual,onlyremarkableforitssize。ThelastofthenotabilitiesistheRokebybridge,saidtobeoneofthelongestinSweden。ItunitesthefirmlandwiththeislandonwhichtheroyalcastleofDrottingholmstands。ThetownofStockholmnowbecomesvisible;weturnintotheportionofthelakeonwhichitlies,andarrivethereagainattwoo\'clockintheafternoon。

  FROMSTOCKHOLMTOTRAVEMUNDEANDHAMBURGH

  IbadefarewelltoStockholmonthe18thSeptember,andembarkedinthesteamerSvithiold,of100-horsepower,attwelveo\'clockatnoon,togotoTravemunde。

  Fewpassagescanbemoreexpensivethanthisoneis。Thedistanceisfivehundredleagues,andthejourneygenerallyoccupiestwoandahalftothreedays;forthisthefare,withoutfood,isfourpounds。Thefoodisalsoexorbitantlydear;inadditiontowhichthecaptainisthepurveyor;sothatthereisnoappealforthegrossestextortionorinsufficiency。

  Itpainedmemuchwhenoneofthepoorertravellers,whosufferedgreatlyfromsea-sickness,havingappliedforsomesouptothesteward,whoreferredhimtotheamiablecaptain,tohearhimdeclarehewouldmakenoexception,andthatabasinofsoupwouldbechargedthewholepriceofacompletedinner。Thepoormanwastodowithoutthesoup,ofwhichhestoodsomuchinneed,orscrapeeveryfarthingtogethertopayafewshillingsdailyforhisdinner。

  Fortunatelyforhimsomebenevolentpersonsondeckpaidforhismeals。Someofthegentlemenbroughttheirownwinewiththem,forwhichtheyhadtopayasmuchdutytothecaptainasthewinewasworth。

  Tothesepleasuresoftravellingmustbeaddedthefact,thataSwedishvesseldoesnotadvanceatalliftheweatherisunfavourable。Mostofthepassengersconsideredthattheengineswereinefficient。Howeverthismaybe,weweredelayedtwenty-fourhoursatthefirsthalfofourjourney,fromStockholmtoCalmar,althoughwehadonlyaslightbreezeagainstusandaratherhighsea,butnostorm。InCalmarwecastanchor,andwaitedformorefavourablewind。Severalgentlemen,whosebusinessinLubeckwaspressing,leftthesteamer,andcontinuedtheirjourneybyland。

  AtfirsttheBalticverymuchresemblestheMalarsee;forislands,rocks,andavarietyofscenerymakeitinteresting。TotherightwesawtheimmenselylongwoodenbridgeofLindenborg,whichunitesoneofthelargerislandswiththecontinent。

  AttheendofoneoftheturnsofthesealiesthetownofWachsholm;andoppositetoit,uponalittlerockyisland,asplendidfortresswithacolossalroundtower。Judgingbythenumberofcannonsplantedalongthewalls,thisfortressmustbeofgreatimportance。Afewhourslaterwepassedasimilarfortress,Friedrichsborg;itisnotinsuchanopensituationastheother,butismoresurroundedbyforests。Wepassedataconsiderabledistance,andcouldnotseemuchofit,norofthecastlelyingontheoppositeside,whichseemstobeverymagnificent,andisalsosurroundedbywoods。

  Theboundariesoftherightshorenowdisappear,butthenagainappearasaterribleheapofnakedrocks,atwhoseextremeedgeissituatedthefinefortressDolero。Nearitgroupsofhousesarebuiltonthebarerocksprojectingintothesea,andformanextensivetown。

  September19th。

  To-daywewereontheopen,somewhatstormysea。TowardsnoonwearrivedattheCalmarSound,formedbytheflat,uniformshoresofthelongislandOlandontheleft,andontherightbySchmoland。

  Infrontrosethemountain-islandtheJungfrau,towhicheverySwedepointswithself-satisfiedpride。Itsheightisonlyremarkablecomparedwiththeflatnessaround;besidetheproudgiant-mountainofthesamenameinSwitzerlanditwouldseemlikealittlehill。

  September20th。

  Onaccountofthecontrarywind,wehadcastanchorherelastnight,andthismorningcontinuedthejourneytoCalmar,wherewearrivedabouttwointheforenoon。Thetownissituatedonanimmenseplain,andisnotveryinteresting。Afewhoursmaybeagreeablyspenthereinvisitingthebeautifulchurchandtheantiquatedcastle,andwehadmorethanenoughleisureforit。Windandweatherseemedtohaveconspiredagainstus,andthecaptainannouncedanindefinitestayatthisplace。Atfirstwecouldnotland,asthewavesweretoohigh;butatlastoneofthelargerboatscamealongside,andthemorecuriousamongusventuredtorowtothelandintheunsteadyvessel。

  Theexteriorofthechurchresemblesafineantiquatedcastlefromitsfourcornertowersandthelownessofitsdome,whichrisesverylittleabovethebuilding,andalsobecausetheotherturretshereandthereerectedforornamentarescarcelyperceptible。Theinteriorofthechurchisremarkableforitssize,itsheight,andaparticularlyfineecho。Thetonesoftheorganaresaidtoproduceamoststrikingeffect。Wesentfortheorganist,buthewasnowheretobefound;sowehadtocontentourselveswiththeechoofourownvoices。WewentfromthisplacetotheoldroyalcastlebuiltbyQueenMargaretinthesixteenthcentury。Thecastleissodilapidatedinsidethatatarryingintheupperchambersisscarcelyadvisable。Thelowerroomsofthecastlehavebeenrepaired,andareusedasprisons;andaswepassed,armswerestretchedforthfromsomeofthebarredwindows,andplaintivevoicesentreatedthepassers-bytobestowsometrifleuponthepoorinmates。Upwardsof140prisonersaresaidtobeconfinedhere。{56}

  Aboutthreeo\'clockintheafternoonthewindabated,andwecontinuedourjourney。Thepassageisveryuniform,andwesawonlyflat,bareshores;agroupoftreesevenwasararity。

  September21st。

  WhenIcameondeckthismorningtheSoundwasfarbehindus。Totheleftwehadtheopensea;ontheright,insteadofthebleakSchmoland,wehadthebleakerSchonen,whichwassobarren,thatwehardlysawapaltryfishing-villagebetweenthelowsterilehills。

  Atnineo\'clockinthemorningweanchoredintheportofYstadt。

  Thetownispretty,andhasalargesquare,inwhichstandthehouseofthegovernor,thetheatre,andthetown-hall。Thestreetsarebroad,andthehousespartlyofwoodandpartlyofstone。Themostinterestingfeatureistheancientchurch,andinitamuch-damagedwoodenaltar-piece,whichiskeptinthevestry。Thoughthefiguresarecoarseanddisproportionate,onemustadmirethecompositionandthecarving。Thereliefsonthepulpit,andabeautifulmonumenttotherightofthealtar,alsodeserveadmiration。Theseareallcarvedinwood。

  IntheafternoonwepassedtheDanishislandMalmo。

  Atlast,afterhavingbeennearlyfourdaysontheseainsteadoftwodaysandahalf,wearrivedsafelyintheharbourofTravemundeonthe22dSeptemberattwoo\'clockinthemorning。Andnowmysea-

  journeyswereover;Ipartedsorrowfullyfromthesaltwaters,foritissodelightfultoseethewater\'sexpanseallaround,andtraverseitsmirror-likesurface。Theseapresentsabeautifulpicture,evenwhenitstormsandrages,whenwavestoweruponwaves,andthreatentodashthevesseltopiecesortoengulfit——whentheshipalternatelydancesontheirpoints,orshootsintotheabyss;

  andIfrequentlycreptforhoursinacorner,orheldfasttothesidesoftheship,andletthewavesdashoverme。Ihadovercometheterriblesea-sicknessduringmynumerousjourneys,andcouldthereforefreelyadmirethesefearfullybeautifulscenesofexcitednature,andadoreGodinHisgrandestworks。

  Wehadscarcelycastanchorintheportwhenawholearrayofcoachmensurroundedus,volunteeringtodriveusoverlandtoHamburgh,ajourneyofthirty-sixmiles,whichittakeseighthourstoaccomplish。

  Travemundeisaprettyspot,whichreallyconsistsofonlyonestreet,inwhichthemajorityofthehousesarehotels。ThecountryfromheretoLubeck,adistanceoftenmiles,isverypretty。A

  splendidroad,onwhichthecarriagesrollsmoothlyalong,runsthroughacharmingwoodpastacemetery,whosebeautyexceedsthatofUpsala;butforthemonuments,onemighttakeitforoneofthemostsplendidparksorgardens。

  IregrettednothingsomuchasbeingunabletospendadayinLubeck,forIfeltverymuchattractedbythisoldHansetown,withitspyramidically-builthouses,itsvenerabledome,andotherbeautifulchurches,itsspacioussquares,&c。;butIwasobligedtoproceed,andcouldonlygazeatandadmireitasIhurriedthrough。

  ThepavementofthestreetsisbetterthanIhadseenitinanynortherntown;andonthestreets,infrontofthehouses,Isawmanywoodenbenches,onwhichtheinhabitantsprobablyspendtheirsummerevenings。Isawhereforthefirsttimeagainthegay-

  lookingstreet-mirrorsusedinHamburgh。TheTrave,whichflowsbetweenTravemundeandLubeck,hastobecrossedbyboat。NearOldesloearethesalt-factories,withlargebuildingsandimmenselyhighchimneys;anoldromanticcastle,entirelysurroundedbywater,liesnearArensburg。

  PastArensburgthecountrybeginstobeuninteresting,andremainssoasfarasHamburgh;butitseemstobeveryfertile,asthereisanabundanceofgreenfieldsandfinemeadows。

  ThelittlejourneyfromLubecktoHamburghisratherdear,onaccountofthealmostincrediblenumberoftollsandduesthepoorcoachmenhavetopay。TheyhavefirsttoprocurealicensetodrivefromLubeckintoHamburghterritory,whichcostsabout1s。3d。;thenminehadtopaytwiceadoubletollof8d。,becausewepassedthroughbeforefiveo\'clockinthemorning,andthegates,whicharenotopenedtillfiveo\'clock,wereunfastenedespeciallyforus;

  besidesthese,therewasapennytollonnearlyeverymile。

  Thisdreadfulannoyanceoftheconstantstoppingandthetoll-barsisunknowninNorwayandinSweden。There,anannualtaxispaidforeveryhorse,andtheownercanthendrivefreelythroughthewholecountry,asnotoll-barsareerected。

  Thefarm-houseshereareverylargeandfar-spread,butthereasonis,thatstable,barn,andshippenareunderthesameroof:thewallsofthehousesareofwoodfilledinwithbricks。

  AfterpassingArensburg,wesawthesteeplesofWandsbeckandHamburghinthedistance;thetwotownsseemtobeone,andare,infact,onlyseparatedbyprettycountry-houses。ButWandsbeckcomparedtoHamburghisavillage,notatown。

  IarrivedinHamburghabouttwoo\'clockintheafternoon;andmyrelativesweresoastonishedatmyarrival,thattheyalmosttookmeforaghost。Iwasatfirststartledbytheirreception,butsoonunderstoodthereasonofit。

  AtthetimeIleftIcelandanothervesselwenttoAltona,bywhichI

  sentaboxofmineralsandcuriositiestomycousininHamburgh。

  ThesailorwhobroughttheboxgavesuchadescriptionofthewretchedvesselinwhichIhadgonetoCopenhagen,that,afterhavingheardnothingofmefortwomonths,hethoughtImusthavegonetothebottomoftheseawiththeship。IhadindeedwrittenfromCopenhagen,buttheletterhadbeenlost;andhencetheirsurpriseanddelightatmyarrival。

  CHAPTERXI

  Ihadnotmuchtimetospare,sothatIcouldonlystayafewdayswithmyrelativesinHamburgh;onthe26thSeptember,IwentinalittlesteamerfromHamburghtoHarburg,wherewearrivedinthreequartersofanhour。FromthenceIproceededinastage-carriagetoCelle,aboutsixty-fivemiles。

  Thecountryisnotveryinteresting;itconsistsforthemostpartofplains,whichdegenerateintoheathsandmarshes;butthereareafewfertilespotspeepingouthereandthere。

  September27th。

  WearrivedatCelleinthenight。FromheretoLehrte,adistanceofaboutsevenmiles,Ihadtohireaprivateconveyance,butfromLehrtetherailwaygoesdirecttoBerlin。{57}Manylargerandsmallertownsarepassedonthisroad;butwesawlittleofthem,asthestationsalllieatsomedistance,andtherailway-trainonlystopsafewminutes。

  ThefirsttownwepassedwasBrunswick。Immediatelybeyondthetownliestheprettyducalpalace,builtintheGothicstyle,inthecentreofafinepark。Wolfenbuttelseemstobeaconsiderabletown,judgingbythequantityofhousesandchurch-steeples。A

  prettywoodenbridge,withanelegantly-madeironbalustrade,isbuilthereacrosstheOcker。Fromthetown,abeautifullaneleadstoagentlehill,onwhosetopstandsalovelybuilding,usedasacoffee-house。

  AssoonasonehaspassedtheHanoveriandomainsthecountry,thoughitisnotricherinnaturalcuriosities,islessabundantinmarshesandheaths,andisverywell-cultivatedland。Manyvillagesarespreadaround,andmanyacharmingtownexcitesthewishtotravelthroughataslowerpace。

  WepassedSchepenstadt,Jersheim,andWegersleben,whichlattertownalreadybelongstoPrussia。InAsherslebenandinMagdeburgwechangedcarriages。NearSalzewesawsomefinebuildingswhichbelongtotheextensivesaltworksexistinghere。JernaudauisacolonyofMoravians。IshouldhavewishedtovisitthetownofKotten,——fornothingcanbemorecharmingthanthesituationofthetowninthemidstoffragrantgardens,——butweunfortunatelyonlystoppedthereafewminutes。ThetownofDessauisalsosurroundedbyprettyscenery:severalbridgescrossthevariousarmsoftheElbe;thatovertheriveritselfrestsonsolidstonecolumns。OfWittenbergweonlysawhousetopsandchurch-steeples;thesameofJuterbog,whichlooksasifitwerenewlybuilt。NearLukewaldetheregionsofsandbegin,andtheuniformityisonlybrokenbyalittleridgeofwoodedhillsnearTrebbin;butwhenthesearepast,therailwaypassesontoBerlinthroughamelancholy,unmitigateddesertofsand。

  Ihadtravelledfromsixo\'clockthismorninguntilsevenintheevening,overadistanceofabouttwohundredandtwentymiles,duringwhichtimewehadfrequentlychangedcarriages。

  Thenumberofpassengerswehadtakenupontheroadwasverygreat,onaccountoftheLeipzicfairs;sometimesthetrainhadthirty-fivetofortycarriages,threelocomotives,andseventoeighthundredpassengers;andyetthegreatestorderhadprevailed。ItisagreatconveniencethatonecantakeaticketfromLehrtetoBerlin,althoughtherailwaypassesthroughsomanydifferentstates,becausethenoneneedsnotlookaftertheluggageoranythingelse。

  Theofficialsontherailwayareallverycivil。Assoonasthetrainstopped,theguardsannouncedwithaloudvoicethetimeallowed,howeverlongorshortitmightbe;sothatthepassengerscouldactaccordingly,andtakerefreshmentsintheneighbouringhotels。Thearrangementsforalightingareveryconvenient:thecarriagesrunintodeeprailsatthestations,sothatthegroundislevelwiththecarriages,andtheentranceandexiteasy。Thecarriagesarelikebroadcoaches;twoseatsranbreadthwiseacrossthem,withalargedoorateachside。Thefirstandsecondclasscontaineightpersonsineachdivision,thethirdclassten。Thecarriagesareallnumbered,sothateverypassengercaneasilyfindhisseat。

  Bythesesimplearrangementsthetravellermaydescendandwalkaboutalittle,eventhoughthetrainshouldonlystoptwominutes,orevenpurchasesomerefreshments,withoutanyconfusionorcrowding。

  Theseconveniencesare,ofcourse,impossiblewhenthecarriageshavethelengthofahouse,andcontainsixtyorseventypersonswithinlockeddoors,andwherethedoorsareopenedbytheguards,whoonlycalloutthenameofthestationwithoutannouncinghowlongthestayis。Insuchrailwaysitisnotadvisablefortravellerstoleavetheirseats;forbeforetheycanpassfromoneendofthecarriagetotheother,throughthenarrowdooranddownthesteepsteps,thehornissounded,andatthesametimethetrainmoveson;thesoundbeingthesignalfortheengine-driver,thepassengershavingnone。

  Inthesestatestherewasalsonottheleasttroublewiththepassportandtheintolerablepass-tickets。Noofficiouspolice-

  soldiercomestothecarriage,andpreventsthepassengersalightingbeforetheyhaveansweredallhisquestions。Ifpassportshadtobeinspectedonthisjourney,itwouldtakeafewdays,fortheymustalwaysbetakentothepassport-office,astheyareneverexaminedonthespot。

  Suchannoyinginterruptionsoftenoccurseveraltimesinthesamestate。Andoneneednotevencomefromabroadtoexperiencethem,asajourneyfromaprovincialtoacapitaltownaffordsenoughscopeforannoyance。

  IhadnoreasontocomplainofsuchannoyancesinanyofthecountriesthroughwhichIhadhithertopassed。Mypassportwasonlydemandedinmyhotelinthecapitalsofthecountries,ifIintendedtoremainseveraldays。InStockholm,however,Ifoundacuriousarrangement;everyforeignerthereisobligedtoprocureaSwedishpassport,andpayhalf-a-crownforit,ifheonlyremainsafewhoursinthetown。Thisis,inreality,onlyapolitewayoftakinghalf-a-crownfromthestrangers,astheyprobablydonotliketochargesomuchforasimplevise!

  STAYINBERLIN——RETURNTOVIENNA

  IhaveneverseenatownmorebeautifullyorregularlybuiltthanBerlin,——Imean,thetownofBerlinitself,——onlythefineststreets,palaces,andsquaresofCopenhagenwouldbearacomparisonwithit。

  Ispentbutafewdayshere,andhadthereforescarcelytimetoseethemostremarkableandinterestingsights。

  Thesplendidroyalpalace,theextensivebuildingsforthepicture-

  galleryandmuseums,thegreatdome——allthesearesituatedveryneareachother。

  TheDomechurchislargeandregularlybuilt;achapel,surroundedbyanironenclosure,standsateachsideoftheentrance。Severalkingsareburiedhere,andantiquatedsarcophagicovertheirremains,knownasthekings\'graves。Nearthemstandsafinecast-

  ironmonument,beneathwhichCountBrandenburglies。

  TheCatholicchurchisbuiltinthestyleoftheRotundainRome;

  but,unlikeit,thelightfallsfromwindowsmadearoundthewalls,andnotfromabove。Beautifulstatuesandasimplebuttastefulaltararetheonlyornamentsofthischurch。Theporticoisornamentedbybeautifulreliefs。

  TheWerderchurchisamodernerection,builtintheGothicstyle,anditsturretsareornamentedbybeautifulbronzereliefs。Thewallsinsideareinlaidwithcolouredwooduptothegalleries,wheretheyterminateinGothicscroll-work。Theorganhasafull,cleartone;infrontofitstandsapaintingwhich,atfirstsight,resemblesascenefromheathenmythologymorethanasacredsubject。

  Anumberofcupidssoaramongwreathsofflowers,andsurroundthreebeautifulfemalefigures。

  Themintandthearchitecturalcollegestandnearthischurch。Theformeriscoveredwithfinesculptures;thelatterissquare,ofabrick-redcolour,withoutanyarchitecturalembellishment,andperfectlyresemblinganunusuallylargeprivatehouse。Theground-

  flooristurnedintofineshops。

  NearthepalaceliestheOperaSquare,inwhichstandthecelebratedopera-house,thearsenal,theuniversity,thelibrary,theacademy,theguardhouse,andseveralroyalpalaces。Threestatuesornamentthesquare:thoseofGeneralCountBulov,GeneralCountScharnhorst,andGeneralPrinceBlucher。Theyareallthreebeautifullysculptured,butthedraperydidnotpleaseme;itconsistedofthelongmilitaryclothcloak,which,openinginfront,affordedaglimpseofthesplendiduniforms。

  ThearsenalisoneofthefinestbuildingsinBerlin,andformsasquare;atthetimeofmystaysomerepairswerebeingmade,sothatitwasclosed。Ihadtobecontentwithglimpsesthroughthewindowsofthefirstfloor,whichshowedmeimmensesaloonsfilledbytremendouscannons,rangedinrows。

  Theguardhouseiscontiguous,andresemblesaprettytemple,withitsporticoofcolumns。

  Theopera-houseformsalongdetachedsquare。Itwouldhaveamuchbettereffectiftheentranceswerenotsowretched。Theoneatthegrandportallookslikeanarrow,miserablechurch-door,lowandgloomy。Theotherentrancesareworsestill,andonewouldnotsupposethattheycouldleadtosuchasplendidinterior,whoseappointmentsareindescribablyluxuriousandcommodious。Thepitisfilledbyrowsofcomfortably-cushionedchairswithcushionedbacks,numbered,butnotbarred。Theboxesaredividedbyverylowpartitions,sothatthearistocraticworldseemstositonatribune。Theseatsinthepitandthefirstandsecondtiersarecoveredwithdark-redsilkdamask;theroyalboxisasplendidsaloon,thefloorofwhichiscoveredwiththefinestcarpets。

  Beautifuloil-paintings,intastefulgoldframes,ornamenttheplafond;butthemagnificentchandelieristhegreatestcuriosity。

  Itlookssomassivelyworkedinbronze,thatitispainfultoseetheheavymasshangsolooselyovertheheadsofthespectators。

  Butitisonlyadelusion;foritismadeofpaste-board,andbronzedover。Innumerablelampslighttheplace;butonethingwhichImissinsuchelegantmoderntheatresisaclock,whichhasaplaceinnearlyeveryItaliantheatre。

  Theotherbuildingsonthissquarearealsodistinguishedfortheirsizeandthebeautyoftheirarchitecture。

  Anunusuallybroadstonebridge,withafinely-madeironbalustrade,isbuiltoveralittlearmoftheSpree,andunitesthesquareoftheoperawiththatonwhichthepalacestands。

  Theroyalmuseumisoneofthefinestarchitecturalpiles,anditshighportaliscoveredwithbeautifulfrescoes。Thepicture-gallerycontainsmanychefs-d\'oeuvre;andIregrettedthatIhadnotmoretimetoexamineitandthehallofantiquities,havingonlythreehoursforthetwo。

  Fromtheacademyrunsalongstreetlinedwithlime-trees,andwhichisthereforecalledUnder-the-limesunterdenLinden。ThisalleyformsacheerfulwalktotheBrandenburg-gate,beyondwhichthepleasure-gardensaresituated。Thelongestandfineststreetswhichrunintothelime-alleyaretheFriedrichsStreetandtheWilhelmsStreet。TheLeipzigerStreetalsobelongstothefinest,butdoesnotrunintothispromenade。

  TheGens-d\'armeSquareisdistinguishedbytheFrenchandGermanchurches,atleastbytheirexterior,——bytheirhighdomes,columns,andporticoes。Theinteriorsaresmallandinsignificant。Onthissquarestandsalsotheroyaltheatre,atastefulpileofgreatbeauty,withmanypillars,andstatuesofmusesanddeities。

  Iascendedthetoweronwhichthetelegraphworks,onaccountoftheviewoverthetownandtheflatneighbourhood。Averycivilofficialwaspoliteenoughtoexplainthesignsofthetelegraphtome,andtopermitmetolookattheothertelegraphsthroughhistelescope。

  TheKonigstadt,situatedontheoppositeshoreoftheSpree,notfarfromtheroyalpalace,containsnothingremarkable。Itschiefstreet,theKonigsstrasse,islong,butnarrowanddirty。IndeeditformsagreatcontrasttothetownofBerlinineverything;thestreetsarenarrow,short,andwinding。Thepost-officeandthetheatresarethemostremarkablebuildings。

  Theluxurydisplayedintheshop-windowsisverygreat。Manyamirrorandmanyaplate-glasswindowremindedmeofHamburgh\'ssplendour,whichsurpassesthatofBerlinconsiderably。

  TherearenotmanyexcursionsroundBerlin,asthecountryisflatandsandy。Themostinterestingaretothepleasure-gardens,Charlottenburg,and,sincetheopeningoftherailway,toPotsdam。

  Theparkorpleasure-gardenisoutsidetheBrandenburg-gate;itisdividedintoseveralparts,oneofwhichremindedmeofourfinePraterinVienna。Thebeautifulalleyswerefilledwithcarriages,riders,andpedestrians;prettycoffee-housesenlivenedthewoodyportions,andmerrychildrengambolledonthegreenlawns。IfeltsomuchremindedofmybelovedPrater,thatIexpectedeverymomenttoseeawell-knownface,orreceiveafriendlygreeting。Kroll\'sCasino,sometimescalledtheWinter-garden,isbuiltonthissideofthepark。Idonotknowhowtodescribethisbuilding;itisquiteafairypalace。Allthesplendourwhichfancycaninventinfurniture,gilding,painting,ortapestry,ishereunitedinthesplendidhalls,saloons,temples,galleries,andboxes。Thedining-

  room,whichwilldine1800persons,isnotlightedbywindows,butbyaglassroofvaultedoverit。Rowsofpillarssupportthegalleries,orseparatethelargerandsmallersaloons。Intheniches,andinthecorners,roundthepillars,aboundfragrantflowers,andplantsinchastevasesorpots,whichtransformthisplaceintoamagicalgardeninwinter。ConcertsandreunionstakeplacehereeverySunday,andthepressofvisitorsisextraordinary,althoughsmokingisprohibited。Thisplacewillaccommodate5000

  persons。

  ThatsideoftheparkwhichliesinthedirectionofthePotsdam-

  gateresemblesanornamentalgarden,withitswell-keptalleys,flower-beds,terraces,islets,andgold-fishponds。AhandsomemonumenttothememoryofQueenLouiseiserectedontheLouiseislandhere。

  Onthisside,thecoffee-houseOdeonisthebest,butcannotbecomparedtoKroll\'scasino。Herealsoarerowsofveryelegantcountry-houses,mostofwhicharebuiltintheItalianstyle。

  CHARLOTTENBURG***DPPROOFEDANDCORRECTEDTOHERE***

  Thisplaceisabouthalfanhour\'sdistancefromtheBrandenburg-

  gate,wheretheomnibusesthatdeparteveryminutearestationed。

  Theroadleadsthroughthepark,beyondwhichliesaprettyvillage,andadjoiningitistheroyalcountry-palaceofCharlottenburg。Thepalaceisbuiltintwostories,ofwhichtheupperoneisverylow,andisprobablyonlyusedforthedomestics。Thepalaceismorebroadthandeep;theroofisterrace-shaped,andinitscentrerisesaprettydome。Thegardenissimple,andnotverylarge,butcontainsaconsiderableorangery。Inadarkgrovestandsalittlebuilding,themausoleuminwhichtheimageofQueenLouisehasbeenexcellentlyexecutedbythefamedartistRauch。Herealsoresttheashesofthelateking。Thereisalsoanislandwithstatuesinthemidstofalargepond,onwhichsomeswansfloatproudly。Itisapitythatdirtdoesnotsticktothesewhite-featheredanimals,elsetheywouldsoonbeblackswans;forthepondorriversurroundingtheislandisoneofthedirtiestditchesIhaveeverseen。

  Fatiguewouldbeveryintolerableinthispark,forthereareveryfewbenches,butanimmensequantityofgnats。

  POTSDAM。

  ThedistancefromBerlintoPotsdamiseighteenmiles,whichispassedbytherailroadinthree-quartersofanhour。Therailwayisveryconvenientlyarranged;thecarriagesaremarkedwiththenamesofthestation,andthetravellerentersthecarriageonwhichtheplaceofhisdestinationismarked。Thus,thepassengersareneverannoyedbytheentranceorexitofpassengers,asalloccupyingthesamecarriagedescendatthesametime。

  Theroadisveryuninteresting;butthisiscompensatedforbyPotsdamitself,forwhichadayisscarcelysufficient。

  ImmediatelyinfrontofthetownflowstheriverHavel,crossedbyalong,beautifulbridge,whosepillarsareofstone,andtherestofthebridgeofiron。Thelargeroyalpalaceliesontheoppositeshore,andissurroundedbyagarden。Thegardenisnotveryextensive,butlargeenoughforthetown,andisopentothepublic。

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