in contact with it. When the file was slightly drawn out, the friction served to ignite the powder. The first step after this was the pistol fired by means of a piece of lighted tow; then came the wheel-lock, with flint and steel. Specimens of the different varieties are here preserved in perfect order.

The sixth room is filled with costly stuffs used at the coronations and other festivities of Augustus II. and III., Kings of Poland; trappings and harness for horses, of the richest materials; splendidly worked bits and stirrups and housings for sledge-horses, on which the most elaborate ornaments have been expended. One set of harness is of gold, splendidly enamelled and set with rubies, another of silver set with pearls.

The seventh room is fitted up with a Turkish tent, taken at the siege of Vienna; and its contents are chiefly Turkish and Eastern

arms.

The eighth room contains an ethnographical collection, the garments and weapons of various barbarous tribes.

The ninth and last room contains riding equipments and parade trappings. In this apartment we were shown a saddle of red velvet, and the boots used by Napoleon at the battle of Dresden, also a wax cast of Napoleon's face taken after death.

From this interesting collection we visited the Elbe bridge, one of the finest structures of the kind in Germany. It is built entirely of stone, and commands a beautiful view of Dresden and the valley of the Elbe. "It was built with funds raised by the sale of dispensations from the Pope for eating butter and eggs during Lent."

Like most of the cities of Germany, Dresden abounds in pleasant promenades, and its environs are really superb. The Saxon Switzerland embraces the most romantic scenery in Germany, and is considered inferior to none in Europe, save the bold and magnificent scenery of the little Republic.

LETTER SIXTY-TWO.

BERLIN.

Appearance of Berlin-Unter den Linden-Monuments-Royal Palace-Palace of the Prince of Prussia-Museum-Picture Gallery-Egyptian Museum-Theatre-Brandenburg Gate-Count Raczynski Gallery-Thiergarten-Bellevue-Consultation with an eminent Surgeon-Pecuniary Difficulties, etc.

Six hours' ride on the railroad from Dresden, through a level and barren country, brought us to the capital of Prussia, which is situated in the midst of a dreary plain of sand, destitute of either beauty or fertility. It is surprising that Frederic the Great selected such a site, but still more surprising that it should have grown up, notwithstanding, into the flourishing metropolis of a great empire. Its walls measure twelve miles in circumference, and its population exceeds four hundred thousand. Most of the objects calculated to interest the stranger are situated in the street named Unter den Linden, from a double avenue of lime trees, which form a delightful promenade in the centre, while on each side of it runs a carriage road. It is the Broadway of the city, and the view along it is terminated by the magnificent Brandenburg gate. Just in front of our hotel (Hôtel du Nord) is one of the finest bronze equestrian statues in Europe, recently erected by the present King in honor of Frederic the Great. It stands on a bronze pedestal, ornamented with basreliefs, and presents a pleasing effect to the eye. Just beyond this statue, in the Lustgarten, is a large and beautiful fountain, and in front of the Picture Gallery is an enormous basin twenty-two and a half feet in diameter, and cut out of a bowlder found near the city. At this point one may stand, and simply by turning on the heel view all that is interesting within the walls of Berlin. The Royal Palace first claims our attention, not on account of any architectural beauty, (for it is nothing but a mass of brick rendered dingy and gloomy by the action of time,) but the many historical associations connected with it. In the second story of this building, Napoleon pronounced his Berlin decrees from the middle window. The best furnished and most interesting rooms are those occupied by Frederic the Great. The White Hall, recently fitted up at great cost, £120,000, and decorated with the statues of the twelve Brandenburg Elect

ors, and the eight Prussian provinces, is very beautiful, but inferior to the ball-room in the Royal Palace of Munich. In the third story of this palace is the Kunstkammer, (chamber of art,) soon to be removed to the New Museum. It contains some curious things, but upon the whole, it is a poor affair. The Palace of the Prince of Prussia is the finest in Berlin, yet inferior to several others in Ger

many.

The Royal Library is also in the same vicinity; a large and tasteless building containing five hundred thousand volumes and five thousand MSS. Among its curiosities are Luther's Hebrew Bible, the copy from which he made his translation, with marginal notes in his own hand; the MS. of his translation of the Psalms, with his corrections in red ink; the Bible and prayer-book which Charles the First carried to the scaffold, and gave before his death to Bishop. Juxon, etc.

The Museum facing the Lustgarten is quite a handsome edifice, built on piles, as the spot on which it stands was previously a branch of the Spree which has been filled up. At the right side of the entrance is a group in bronze, representing the combat of an Amazon with a tiger. The walls of the front are adorned with frescoes by Cornelius. The main entrance leads into a beautiful rotunda ornamented with statuary and Gobelin tapestry. The lower story is filled with statuary, vases, and bronzes, and the upper story is occupied as the picture gallery. It contains a vast number of paintings, of but little value, and to one who is acquainted with the works of art in the galleries of Italy, Paris, Munich, or Dresden, it is but a poor treat. The new Museum, which is connected with the old building, is one of the most beautiful structures in the city. The walls and columns are covered over with frescoes in imitation of the designs on the great temples of Egypt; and the rooms are well filled with valuable Egyptian antiquities. Near the Museum are the Barracks and the University building. The number of students in the University is said to be fifteen hundred, among whom are several young men from the United States. The society of Berlin, like that of Boston, is distinguished for the number of its literary characters. The most talented men of Germany are here employed either in an official capacity, or as professors of the University.

Before leaving the Lustgarten, I must allude to the Theatre,

which is the finest in Germany, and in many respects equal to San Carlo at Naples, or the Scala in Milan. The scenes are admirably arranged, the boxes richly cushioned and gilded, and the room adorned with fine statuary. The King sometimes gives magnificent entertainments here in a ball-room connected with the theatre.

Passing through the avenue of the Linden to its extremity, we came to the Brandenburg Gate, built in imitation of the Propylæon at Athens. The summit is adorned with a car of Victory, which was carried to Paris as a trophy by Napoleon, but recovered after the battle of Waterloo. After its return they bestowed upon the goddess the eagle and iron cross which she now bears.

A short distance outside the gate is the palace containing Count Raczynski's gallery of pictures, embracing some excellent specimens of modern German art; and at the extremity of the Thiergarten is the royal palace of Bellevue, which is exceedingly plain, but contains a beautiful collection of modern paintings belonging to the King, among which may be mentioned: Huss Preaching to the Peasants, a large and beautiful picture by Lessing; Destruction of Jerusalem, by Bendermann; Samson breaking the Pillars of the Temple; the Dying Father bestowing his benediction on his children; the Rape of Hylas, an excellent piece-the female figures are faultless; Adam and Eve discovering the body of Abel, by Begas, very fine. An old soldier with his coat covered with decorations acted as our guide. He is said to be very familiar with the King, and always offers him snuff, and converses in perfect freedom with his Majesty.

Returning to the city from Bellevue, I called with a young gentleman from Charleston, who is connected with the Medical College, to consult an eminent surgeon about one of my fingers that was injured in the difficulty on the Nile. After examining it very closely and asking me many questions, he looked very wise, and advised me to pass the summer at some watering place—saying that it was the only remedy he could suggest. At first I thought the man was joking, but when I discovered that he was really in earnest, I paid his bill, and told him that Americans never went to watering placas for a weak finger.

When we arrived in Berlin we were completely out of money, and were much surprised to learn from the bankers on our letters of

indication, that no letters had been received for us from London. We had no acquaintance in the city, and as a dernier ressort we called on our Minister, who kindly vouched for our respectability, and relieved us of the anxiety that necessarily attends a man in a foreign country with an empty purse.

LETTER SIXTY-THREE.

BERLIN.

Excursion to Potsdam-Tomb of Frederic the Great-Palace of the Prince of PrussiaBellevue-Russian Colony-Sans Souci-New Palace-Statue of the late Queen of Prussia, etc.

POTSDAM may be appropriately termed the Versailles of Prussia, being a town of palaces, and the residence of the Prussian princes during the rising fortunes of the royal family. It is about one hour's ride from Berlin on the railroad, and owes all its beauty and splendor to Frederic the Great, whose remains now repose beneath the pulpit in the Garnison Kirche. His sword, originally laid upon the metal sarcophagus, was carried off by Napoleon and lost; but over the tomb and on each side of the pulpit are placed the eagles and standards taken from the French by the Prussians.

A short distance from Potsdam is the palace of the Prince of Prussia, lately erected in the Gothic style, and by far the most convenient and beautifully situated palace in Prussia; and just beyond, on a high eminence called Bellevue, the present King is building a kind of summer look-out, which will furnish an admirable view of Berlin and the surrounding country. In the same vicinity is the Marble Palace, so called from the extensive use of marble in its decorations; and the Russian Colony, or village, consisting of eleven log houses, built entirely after the Russian fashion, and a neat little chapel surmounted by three bulk-shaped domes. This village and a piece of land was given by the late King to the colony sent here by the Emperor.

A few hundred yards from the Brandenburg Gate are the palace and gardens of Sans Souci, the favorite summer retreat of Frederic