On entering Berlin we were at once attracted to its magnificent boulevard, called Unter den Linden strasse, which runs from one end of the city to the other. The Royal Palace and many other splendid mansions, as well as shops, are situated on this street, at the head of which, where it enters a forest of grand old trees, is the Brandenburg gate, surmounted by a magnificent triumphal arch erected in 1789. On top of this arch is the car of victory, which Napoleon took to Paris, and returned after the battle of Waterloo. Just beyond this gate, in the edge of the grove, stands the new monument to commemorate the victory of the Germans over the French in their late war. It is very grand and beautiful. Its base is of polished stone, like the Scotch marble, with bronze entablatures on the four sides, representing in bas-relief a battle, the surrender, return home of the army, and their welcome reception. The likenesses of the Emperor William, Bismarck, and Von Moltke are readily recognized. Others, doubtless, are equally good. Next above these entablatures is a gallery surrounded by marble pillars, and next a tall column of granite or sandstone, embraced by three rows of cannon cut in the stone, pointing upward, and connected by wreaths, all in gold leaf. The whole is surmounted by a splendid statue of Victory, also in gold leaf, with a wreath in her right hand and a scepter in her left.

In the middle of Unter den Linden street is the colossal equestrian statue of Frederick the Greatone of the grandest monuments, no doubt, in Europe. The pedestal is of granite, twenty-five feet in height, on the four sides of which are bronze groups, lifesize, of thirty-one of the leading generals and statesmen of the Seven Years' War. Over these, on each

corner of the pedestal, are figures of Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, and Temperance; "between these are bas-reliefs representing different periods in the life of Frederick: the Muse teaching him history; Mercury giving him a sword; walking in the gardens of his Palace, surrounded by his favorite companions, greyhounds; playing on his flute; in the weaver's hut, and drawing the plan of a battle after his defeat at Rollin. On the front tablet is the following inscription: "To Frederick the Great. Frederick William III., 1840, completed by Frederick William IV., 1851.' The equestrian statue is seventeen feet high, and most perfect in all its proportions; a mantle hangs from the monarch's shoulders, his stick hanging from his wrist; all is most perfect and true to life."

We have visited the Museum, at the entrance of which stands a fine bronze statue of the Amazon, and an enormous vase of polished granite sixty-six feet high. The city abounds in statues, the fronts of several of the mansions on Unter den Linden street being surmounted by them. The exterior front of the Museum is ornamented by frescoes, representing allegorically the creation of the world. The interior consists of three departments-the Antiquarian on the first floor, the Sculptures on the second, and the Picture Gallery on the third. The number of interesting things here is endless, and we cannot attempt any lengthy description. Among the noted pictures is Raphael's "Madonna Ancajani,” representing the Virgin and child in the stable; a series of twelve paintings, by Van Eyck, called "The Worship of the Spotless Lamb;" "Io and the Cloud," and "Leda and the Swan," by Correggio; 'Resurrection of Lazarus," by Rubens; and "St.

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Anthony Embracing the Infant Saviour," by Murillo. We were particularly interested in many of the relics to be seen here, including Napoleon's hat and his decorations as Emperor, which, in haste to escape, he left in his carriage at Waterloo; also the walking cane, flute, and the uniform of Frederick the Great, which he wore on the day of his death, and a cast of his face after death; likewise the tobacco pipes and other articles which belonged to his father.

The principal shops here are unusually fine; and many of these are under or in an extensive arcade abounding in almost everything to attract the eye and invite the expenditure of money.

One evening, in the heart of the city, we went to a gorgeous beer garden, an open space capable of holding ten thousand people, surrounded by buildings with shade trees, and lighted by seventy thousand gas jets in every form of beauty almost that ingenuity could invent. It presented a perfect fairy scene; and there were two fine bands, one in a balcony on either side in the center, and they played alternately. Visitors could be seated or promenade at their pleasure.

An excursion of a few miles to Charlottenburg was very enjoyable. Here is a plain Palace built by Frederick I.; but what we went specially to see were the monuments of Frederick William III. and his Queen, Louise, so celebrated for her beauty, and a photograph of whose full length portrait is now before us. Their tomb and marble monumental statues are in a small Doric temple. The statues are separate, each in a reclining position, as upon a bed or lounge, and raised on a beautifully carved and paneled marble base. The works are considered

the masterpieces of Rauch, the sculptor previously mentioned in these sketches. The temple is located in one of the sweetest of groves.

On the 3d of August, in company with the Rev. Henry M. Field and niece, now on their tour around the world, and of his nephew, Lieutenant Field, on leave of absence from the United States steamship Franklin, we passed the day most agreeably at Potsdam, eighteen miles by rail from Berlin. There are here five royal residences, called, respectively, the Royal Palace, the New Palace, the Marble Palace, Babelsburg, and Sans Souci—all of which we visited. As some of these Palaces are two or three miles apart, we hired a coachman for the day. They are all situated in a beautiful park or garden, adorned with fountains and statuary. In the old Palace, or in Sans Souci, we saw some of the furniture used by Frederick the Great, including stuffed chairs, in some of which he used to have his dogs sit with him at table; and on the covering of one in which he died are spots stained by his blood, from having been bled in his last hours. The rooms containing this furniture are said to be nearly in the condition in which he left them. The apartments which Voltaire used to occupy when on his long visits to the King were also shown to us. The New Palace, erected by Frederick the Great after the Seven Years' War, is very costly and grand, and contains many fine paintings and other rare works of art. One great hall, called the Grotto, is a marvel of art and beauty. It is spacious, and lined throughout with shells and precious stones artistically arranged. For instance, flowers are represented by shells, amethyst, sapphire, amber, crystal, onyx, agate, coal, quartz, copper, silver, and gold, in their original state, etc.