The Bourse is sunthin’ like our stock exchange, but big enough to accommodate thousands of money-seekers. I spoze they have lively times here anon or oftener––the river Spree runs right in front on’t (though I don’t think that makes a mite of difference).
More than fifty bridges cross this river and it divides out into canals and little streams, all of which comes together agin and flows away into the sea.
The Alson bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges I ever sot my eyes on, and not fur off is the Alson Platz, a very charming public garden. Shady paths, trees, flowers, sculpture, all make this garden very attractive.
Not fur off is the Konigs Platz, one of the most imposing parts of the city. In the centre of this square stands the grand monument to Victory, it is high and lofty as a monument to Victory ort to be, solid and massive at the base (for in order to be successful you have got to have a good underpinnin’ of principle and gumption) and crowned with a noble-lookin’ figger, standin’ amidst a flock of eagles.
The Royal Theatre is a handsome building and looks some in front like our own Capitol in Washington, D. C. It stands between two meetin’-houses, as if it laid out to set back and enjoy its neighborhood and be real respectable.
In front of it stands a fine monument to the German poet, Schiller. I sot store by him. Thomas J. used to read his books to his Pa and me a good deal when he wuz tendin’ the Cademy to Jonesville, his dramas and his poems, so Josiah and I felt quite well acquainted with him, and when we see his name here amidst foreign seens it give us quite agreeable emotions, some as if we wuz a travellin’ in Africa and should see a obelisk riz up with Deacon Henzy’s name on it. Also I wuz interested in looking at the beautiful equestrian statute of Frederic William the illustrious elector, who did so much to make his country great.
It stands on a bridge, as if dominating sea and land, as he did a good deal whilst he wuz alive. He looks calm and powerful, and has a look on his face as if he could do most anything he sot out to do. And the four slaves grouped round the base of the statute seem to look up to him as if they trusted him implicitly.
His clothes wuzn’t exactly what I would want Josiah sculped in if he wuz to be rared up in marble, and it seems as if so many skirts and such a long cloak floatin’ out must be in a man’s way if he wuz in a hurry. But where is there anything perfect here below? It wuz remarkably handsome, take it as a hull.
Dorothy and Robert said they wanted to see the statute of Gerty.