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23 July 1883 — Berlin | |
Monday. 23rd July [1883]. Breakfast in our rooms at 9. Just before 10 the C. Princess walked into our rooms where we were writing in her riding habit as she had been for an early ride– She said she was going to send us to see the Palace at Potsdam & Babelsberg at 10 with Ct Seckendorff—she stayed & chatted a little and then ran off. We got ready to start with Seckendorff in a carriage. He took us first to the late Prince Charles’ small house to see the Casino where are arranged all his antiquities. There are some fine marbles & pieces of sculpture collected by him fm different places. There is also a kind of temple made of Italian marbles with mosaics—tombs, an old well, fine iron work—very prettily arranged in the Italian style. In an inner chamber are kept enamels, triptyches & many curious & valuable things. The garden is lovely. From there we went to Babelsberg which is in mock Gothic style & very hideous—very small & uncomfortable. Thence we drove to the Palace at Potsdam. It was being cleaned & repaired & therefore not open to the public. We saw the appartments of the Fred: the Great, fine furniture—splendid brass work & beautiful mouldings—also the hideous (in Empire taste) rooms of Q. Marie Louise. We went on as quick as we could to go to the Church (Garrison) to see the coffin of Fred: the Great– From there to the Lieden kirche where are the tombs of the last King & his Queen & where we saw the fine old mosaic Byzantine brought from the church of S. Cyprian at Murano. It is very interesting. We walked thro’ the grounds of Sans Souci to the great Picture gallery full of copies ordered by Fred: the Gt. The Gallery is very fine & was also built by him. By this time we were tired & it was getting near dinner time. We had to hurry back to the Neues Palais & prepare for dinner as it was nearly two. After dinner I read a bit & prepared for our departure. Ct Seckendorff fetched us to go out & play tennis with Herr von Kessel & Mr Gosling & Mr Cartwright two of the English Secys. We played some time & then Pss Victoria arrived & later the C. Pss & the 2 children. We played various games & drank tea & chatted—until nearly 7 when Henry said we ought to leave as we were going to dine with the Walshams at Potsdam & we all hurried back to the Palace. We had to wait a little while at the door for the carriage & all stood the C. Prince & Pss & the 3 Princesses & all & she apologised for having kept us so late. At last the carriage came & we had a tender parting & we drove off with Mr Cartwright & Mr G. and found Mrs G. & the Walshams waiting for us. I quickly took off my hat & we dined. After dinner sat on the balcony. The Goslings went to their own home somewhere near & Mr Cartwright returned to Berlin by train with us. We got back to Hotel Central abt 11.30 & to bed. | |
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