Hamburg
impressed me as a vastly prosperous, handsome, well-kept town. The
attractive feature of the place is the "Alster Bassin," the clear,
fresh-water lake running into the very heart of the town. All the
best houses and hotels were built on the stone quays of the Alster
facing the lake. Geneva, Stockholm, and Copenhagen are the only
other European towns I know of with clear lakes running into the
middle of the city. The Moser family's silver wedding festivities
did not err on the side of niggardliness. The guests all assembled
in full evening dress at three in the afternoon, when there was a
conjuring and magic-lantern performance for the children. This was
followed by an excellent concert, which in its turn was succeeded
by a vast and Gargantuan dinner. Then came an elaborate display of
fireworks, after which dancing continued till 4 a.m., only
interrupted by a second colossal meal, thus affording, as young
Moser proudly pointed out, thirteen hours' uninterrupted
amusement.
As I felt certain that I should promptly succumb to apoplexy, had
I to devour any more food, I left next day for Heligoland, then,
of course, still a British Colony, an island I had always had the
greatest curiosity to see.
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