Vienna

Left early on Friday morning for Vienna which city we reached on Saturday Evening 31^st Oct. after a ride of some 36 hours to a country which from its appearance seemed to say that it's inhabitants were well-to-do in the world. Made enquiries respecting the Danube and found it to be impracticable to go by that route to Constantinople, so concluded to remain in Vienna as long as possible so to do, before sailing from Trieste for Greece.

Vienna is said to be one of the gayest cities in Europe and by many preferred to Paris, myself however not among the number. There is very little architectural beauty of the city, and few statues and fountains of merit in the streets – though its galleries &c. are very rich. [79]

Dresden to Prague

Wallenstein Palace

Received letters from home & sent answers to them at Dresden Oct. 26. Left there on the 27. at 11 am for Prague, in company with a carriage full of the most inveterate smokers. Luckily I was able to stand my hand with the best of them or it would have proved rather inconvenient company. Reached Prague early on Thursday morning after a ride of some 18 hours, through some of the finest scenery I have ever seen. This portion of the Saxon Switzerland – our first view of the fine old city of Prague was not as favorable an one as we could've wished on account of the dense fog which hung over the city, but as we descended the mountain, the mist cleared away and we saw it in all its glory. It is most admirably situated part of it being built directly on the sides of mountains and the buildings rising up one above another like the seats of an amphitheater. [78] spent the day in walking around the city and environs and ascending to the site of the Palace of Wallenstein. On the whole, it is one of the finest cities in Germany particularly as regards situation & surrounding scenery.

Dresden - Opera and Catholic Church

Dresden Hoftheatre, 1841

The opera is considered one of the first in Germany and I never at home or in England saw finer actors in the comedy than those I saw here the other evening. – – Visited Sunday the Catholic Church to hear the music, but the Orchestre of the opera, was not so much pleased as I anticipated, though 'twas very fine, and is considered the finest church music in Germany. Saw there the King & Royal family.

Am now only waiting for letters from home previous to going to Prague & Vienna. Expect them certainly tomorrow, they should have arrived before 25^th Oct. [77]

Meeting Tieck

Ludwig Tieck

The young ladies before referred to, had been at a lecture given by the Poet Tieck, one of the translators of Shakespeare into German. He was very intimate with them, and on that evening introduced into his lecture, one or two pieces from Göethe, applicable to the occasion of Miss K's being there for the last time before her marriage.

More stuff in the Treasury

More treasures from the Green Vault

The coronation robes and jewels of the Electors of Saxony as Kings of Poland and many other curious things together with immense quantities of gold plate and many splendid pieces of carving in old times in [75] various materials, with some most beautiful bronzes. In find the most curious rich collection perhaps in the World. Our next visit was to the armory. This also very complete & superior to most others. I saw there the boots & saddles which Napoleon wore in the battle of Dresden – and the white satin shoes embroidered with gold worn at his Coronation. Many suits of armor by diff [erent] heroes of diff^t  battles and a very fine collection of arms and suits of armor together with a Turkish tent and all the concomitants: bows, arrows, sabers &c. &c. – –In the armory we were also shown the sword of Martin Luther and a very handsome drinking cup presented to him by the Elector of his day.----------


We also took a stroll into the Museum of Antiquities which however was miserably deficient in interest to any one, who like ourselves, had seen so many superior. [76]

Dinglinger's Masterpiece

Johann Melchior Dinglinger (1664-1731),
The Birthday of the Grand Mogul Aurangzeb

The curious part of the collection consisted of many pieces of work by a German artist one Dinglinger, which in execution surpassed any thing I ever dreamed of. For instance one piece was a view of the throne and attendance of the Great Mogul. There are more than 100 figures in the scene all of gold enameled, and each having a distinct expression, Slaves Ambassadors with presents and all things attendant on such an occasion admirably portrayed. Caricatures of people living at the time things were made our admirably executed in precious stones, brilliant pearls &c.

The "Green Vaults"

My next visit was to the Treasury, or as they are here called “the Green Vaults,” containing immense riches, and so arranged that the succeeding room should be richer than the preceding.  The diamonds in one or two of the rooms surpassed in size any thing I ever saw.  There were several setts of Buttons, collars bracelets, &c. Enormous. A collar of brilliant stile worn on State occasions by the Queen I may safely say was composed of stones each large as a small hickory nut. 

 

The Dresden Green Diamond in the hat clasp ornament