Crossing the Baltic-Germany-Berlin, a Dull City except for Scholars-Manners of the People-Frederick the Great-The Prussian Army-Political Discontent-Signs of Revolution... 174 Dresden-Position on the Elbe-Beauty of the City and its En- Sail on the Elbe-Prague-Situation and Architecture-The Old Protestantism in Bohemia-Early Reformation-John Huss- The University of Prague-Huss Burnt at Constance-The Wars which followed-Blind Ziska-The Thirty Years' War- Wallenstein-Present State of Protestantism in Bohemia..... 203 Vienna--Contrast with Berlin-The Imperial City-Historical Associations-Tombs of the Emperors-Maria Theresa-The Son of Napoleon-The Present Royal Family-The Govern- Another View of Venice-The Austrian Rule-Celebration of the Emperor's Birthday-Illumination for the Young Prince- PAGE Verona-Its Amphitheatre-Congress of Verona--The City ONE WORD. PICTURES-nothing more! No "grand tour" here drags its slow length along. This is not a Hand-Book of Foreign Travel, ponderous with statistics of strange lands and cities, but a mere Portfolio of Sketches by the Wayside. Most of these were taken on the spot, and sent home, in letters, to America, which may explain their familiar style. The writer calls them "Pictures," to indicate their fragmentary and unpretending character; and "Summer Pictures," partly because they were taken at that season of the year when the earth puts on her beauty-but still more as a token of that cheerful light in which he has looked upon countries and men. In the same genial temper may the reader cast his eye over this succession of pleasant landscapes, warm and glowing with the summer's sun. NEW YORK, May 20, 1959. SUMMER PICTURES. CHAPTER I. CROSSING THE OCEAN IN A PACKET SHIP-A NIGHT ON A PILOT BOAT -LANDING AT FALMOUTH-RIDE ON AN ENGLISH MAIL COACHTHE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH EXPEDITION. PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, June 7, 1858. OUR passage across the Atlantic has proved one of the most rapid ever made by a packet-ship. Only fourteen days from land to land! At first the fates seemed to be against us. A storm with thunder and lightning broke over us as we were going down the bay. But from the hour we passed Sandy Hook, the winds which for weeks had been blowing from the east, turned to the west, and continued favorable through the whole voyage. In the Gulf Stream and off the Western Islands, we encountered. heavy gales, but as they blew from the right quarter, they only speeded us on our way. The scene was exciting, and sometimes fearful. The waves went booming past with a noise like thunder, the spray rained upon our deck, |