Sat. Aug. 25th 1894

We left at nine oclock for Betzicker (Biziker on 1933 map)stopping on way at Geskow - Latzicy (?) and Cotlow (Gieskow, Latzig, and Kothlow on 1933 map) where grandfather and great-grandfather and one uncle of fathers had lived and taught. We reached Betzicker about 2 oclock and found all waiting for us. Cousin Bosel has such a nice good wife and five dear little children. In evening we drove to Cratzicy (Kratzig on 1933 map) where the nobleman's family lived that father lived in four yrs. and went to school. Here we called on the preacher, as his wifes father was fathers teacher. We had a nice time must have a cup of coffee [sic]. Returned home.

1894
Sunday Aug 26th

We attended church in Bizicker. The preacher from Yamund came to this village to preach as the regular pastor was away sick. The church was cold the preacher colder. Preacher's [sic] here never associate with their people appear as the Pharasee that said "I thank thee Lord that I'm not as other people". The churches and preachers in Germany seem all alike cold and unchristian-like. It made one feel so thankful that I lived in a Christian Land where religion made us more like Christ, not prouder but more humble.

Mon. Aug 27th 1894

This has been a day of travel, we left Bitzicker at eleven for Nassow where we took train for Berlin. Reached here about six oclock. Aunt came with us as far as Stettin, here changed cars for Rheinsberg. It was sad to say goodbye, knowing we would never see her again. We look for Cousin Helene in morning. Cousin Boesel wife & child Little Hetwich came with us to Nassow. All the children were so good and well raised you could but love them, Elizabeth, Johana, Anna, Paullus, Hetwich. I feel at home in Hospiz Hotel. Have washed and dusted off as I was covered with dust. Will now write a letter home as morning we will go out sightseeing.

Tuesday Aug 28th 1894

We took a carriage early called on Miss von Komkete that .... (?), and on Mrs. Heinrich Mr. Poligs friend. Found them such nice people, we were invited there to dinner. After dinner we went to the "Aquarom". It was wonderful to see the animals. The fish and formations on bottom of sea was wonderful too. The birds were many from Africa and other places. The monkeys too were interesting. All was so rustic that you quite forgot that you were not in woods. At night we went to theatre. The play was Charleys Aunt. It was amusing. I enjoyed it very much though couldn't unstand [sic] except from acting. After this we went to a lovely Restaurant & eat supper. All was glass & looking glass. At twelve we returned to hotel, retired was very tired.

Wed. 29th 1894

It was a good bright day not bright but not raining. At ten oclock as planned by our friend Mr. Heinrich we left for Potsdam, the home {summer} of the King. It is only an hrs. ride from Berlin. We spent the day in castles. First we went to church where the recumbent statue of Frederick 1st Unser Fritz is. They have built a large piece on the old church just for this. It is all so grand. Reminds me of Lee's in Lexington Va, but is larger. Was made by Pro. Begars. Then we took a carriage and drove out a little distance from Potsdam to Wm. 1st old castle. The garden was laid off in immense terraces, under each were hotbeds upright with all kind of fruits under -- lovely peaches & so many. The apple trees were in large pots and just hanging with large apples. It looked strange to see such fruit on such small trees. You ascended these terraces by broad stone steps. It was grand to stand at bottom and look to top where the Castle stood. No one lives here now except servants, it takes such a number of workmen to keep this thousand acre lot in order. Lemon trees full of lemons stand thick along the walks, all have to be put in hot-houses in winter. From here we went to the home of the present King Wm. II. Here we could not get in. Could only see the house from front gate; here a soldier stood, around house were other soldiers. The house seemed to be of brick & with stuccoe on part. The garden surrounding was immense & surrounded by iron fence. From here we drove to the home of the king before he was crowned. Here all his 7 children were born. The house is too grand, we paid to go through, had to put on felt shoes first. From here we went to Castle of Frederick the Gross. This .... (rest of sentence is missing). We returned to Berlin just in time to get ready to go to theatre. This was fine as theatre could be. The scenery singing and acting was all elegant, but such worldy [sic] amusements have no attraction for me. After the theatre was out we went to restaurant and had a fine supper. The theatre supper and all for five people cost $7.50 in America would have been 15 or 20 dollars. We returned to hotel as 12 oclock retired and rested well.

Thursday Aug. 30th '94

Mr. Heinrich came to Hotel at ten and we started out, first went to Berlin Museum. Old and new. The most pictures were bible scenes and many over four hundred years old. The paintings from Holland were elegant, Ruben's paintings were so delicate in color yet so life like. Christ raising Lazarus from the dead was very impressive also, healing the sick child, & raising the daughter, The preaching of John Huss & his martyrdom at stake were immense & grand. The statuary was too much to speak of, the immense statues take [sic] from ruins in Greece & Rome were so large that one wondered how they were moved. The many wonders from Chine [sic] were interesting, so old 8 or 9 hundred yrs. before Christ. Hugh stone coffins. Egyptian Mummies also coffins in which they were. The new museum had only new paintings in, but grand was no name and so large. Many war scenes, battle grounds and battles. From the museum we went to museum where wax figures were shown, all the noted men, were in wax and looked life like sitting around tables, engaged in a game of chess, talking with others & a glass of beer in one hand. From here we went to theatre or " [sic] The Unter von Linden Opera House. This was simply magnificent all red & gold trimmings. The carpets on steps and promenade was elegant. From here we went to Hotel ate supper & retired at 12 oclock.

Friday 31st

At ten we started out sightseeing with Mr. Heinrich. First to Seughaus (?) house where all implements of war were since 4 or 5 hundred yrs. and also what is new. The different cities at which battles were fought between French & German 1871 were laid off in frames representing whole city -- surrounded by water for defence [sic]. Cannon from Calcutta 1400 small stone balls. 2 made of Dutch Bronze 1848. One made 1842 sent to London Exposition 1851. Gatling Battery Gun. Hart. Con. (Hartford, Connecticut) Pat. 1865, Spanish cannon 1866 immense. Chandalier [sic] made from swords and Pistols. Hundreds of tattered battle-flags. 2nd floor. Heros Hall. Solid bronze doors. A lovely statue representing victory {an angel with crown & palms cut of cream marble}. Dome shaped and walls painted with battle-scenes. Many bronze figures of heros around. Court [sic] of mail for man & horse from Russia yr. 1600. Many others too but the one from Caucasia Asia 1500-1700 was particularly striking, lsenes [sic] 1570-1630 inlaid with ivory. Bronze shields hammered into grand pictures. After seeing all we could here we went to Kings Palace where he holds festivities. The entrance was brick pavement and ascended as a hill not steps {it is said he rides horseback up this ascent}. The Palace has 200 rooms they say we only went into about forty, all were elegaint [sic], walls covered with silk costing $36. a yds, each in different collor [sic]. All these Palaces are very much alike. The elegant presents to the king from other nations are always -- elegant. A mosaic table was one of the lovelist [sic], each piece of stone not much larger or no larger than a grain of rice. The silver vases and porcelain & all was elegant. At night we went to "Winter Garden (?)" Theatre. The feature of the evening to me was some bycycle [sic] riding on stage. We went from here to a fine Restaurant, had supper then returned home tired. It was twelve oclock.

Sat. Sep 1st 1894

We spent from 8 to 1 in our room, then went to dry goods house and bought a few articles for home & our friends in Coslin & Betzicker returned to Hotel, ate dinner then took a carriage & drove to Bolle's milk establishment, but couldn't see it as it is open for exhibition from 2 to 4 P.M. We spent remainder of evening quietly in our room as we were very tired.

Sun. Sep 2nd 94

We attended the American Church in Berlin and were delighted to hear an English sermon once more. The preacher was from Harrisburg Penn. and preached elegantly. His sermon was from Rev. "And there shall be no sea there". In the evening we walked out to the noted mountain with the monument on it, and from where you see all over Berlin. The view was grand. The remainder of evening we stayed in our room and talked.

(Note: The next three days in the diary were written in pencil and are almost illegible. I will try to glean as much as I can from them.)

Mon. Sep 3rd 1894

First of all in morning we went to buy some woillen [sic] underwear. We finished by two and were ready to go to Bolle's Milk establishment. Came near not seeing it as the hrs. are from 2 to 4. This was indeed but (?) wonderful. All the milk went through chemical processes. Three chemist were busy all time. We saw even sugar made from milk. There 150 wagons all painted white. The horses were lovely. 20 a. (acres) land in use. Church, school, theatre, every convenience as well as pleasure for his workmen. From here we went to Mrs. Heinrich said goodbye.

Letter Home:

Berlin
Sep 3rd 1894
My dear Minnie;

Father has just given me his letter to address to Franz and as it is not sealed, I thought I would put in a few words to my dear Little Sister. You are now at home imagine and I know the boys and darling Little Hunter are glad. We leave Berlin for Switzerland at 7 oclock in the morning, but by the time this letter reaches you we will be on steamer homeward bound. We bought your cloak. It is a beauty, but not blue the blues are not fashionable. You can see it soon so I wont describe. We cant buy much here it is so hard to get them to Rotterdam. While Father was writing Helene & I went out shopping. I can get around alone some now in Berlin. It was quite dark before we came in but ladies go alone here so much, so many people on street and all so bright with electric lights. At two today we went to see the great milk business of "Bolle's" described so fully in one of our late Chautauquans. I wont attempt to describe it as I reckon father has. Sunday morning we went to the American Church. I don't think I ever enjoyed & appreciated church so much in my life. The preacher was a young man from Harrisonburg [sic] Penn. He lives here now, studying or something, and as the regular pastor was absent he was called on. He read a chapter from Rev. and from same took the text "And there shall be no sea there". He showed what the "Sea" meant to "John" as an exile on the Isle of Patmos. What an obsticle [sic] between him & the work he loved & between him & the people he so loved. He compared the life, or contrasted the life of Napoleon, an exile too, with only worldly ambition with that of John whose life was spent for Christ. Napoleon when exiled had nothing left to live for, so perished. John's heart was so filled with heavenly love that he lived to old age and was happy though, apparantly [sic] alone. He spoke so beautifully & urged all to dwell on heavenly things, ______ to look forward to Heaven as John did, for there was no obsticle [sic] in the way, "no sea there". The church is quite a large one and was nearly full. All sung with a will and it just seemed heavenly to us. The churches here are the coldest, stuffest [sic] places in the land. No one hardly here goes to church and if they wanted to they couldn't as there is only one seat in church for each 36 people in Berlin, so we read in the hotel phamplet [sic]. This Stadtmission had many other branches here and they do a great work, all they make over expenses goes to the support of poor & other Christian causes. Berlin has nearly 2 hundred million [sic] of people. No sunday [sic] schools, as religion is taught as other lessons in day school, so the poor little children only know Sunday as a day of pleasure. I will love my home & dear surroundings more than ever now. Our friends here have been so nice to us, we went this evening to say goodbye. They treated us so nicely, had cake & wine, chatted a while then left. We didn't see the son of Mrs. Henry (?) as today his intended father in-law [sic] took him in to his business, he is going to sell out his own, before he marries. He is a very nice young-man and has added much to our pleasure here. If Bro. Billy is well enough do get Aunt Mollie to put me up some of her good pickle and cant you can some tomatoes with nannie [sic]. Put up some corn too like Blanche told us. Kiss Blanche for me. & [sic] all the Bon Air girls. Love to each and all. Good night I must retire as I have to get up early in morning. Kiss each one for me and they can kiss you

Your devoted
Sister

Minnie (Minnie's name was probably written on the end of the page flap since the letter was folded to show to whom it was intended, without opening the letter. Remember that it was included in with a letter from her father)

Tues. Sep. 4th 1894

We left Berlin at 7.40 am morning for Basel Swiz. and after traveling through lovely mountain land. We reached Basel one oclock midnight (?). We stopped at Frankfurt and ate dinner. Our hotel was Krafft. It faced on the Rhine and when in the dining room you could look on the green waters of the Rhine. Our rooms were small but very nice & clean, the eating was good.

Wed. Sep 5th 1894

We took a coach and (?) drove .........(unreadable)......... Here we took dinner and supper. After dinner we went out to see the city. The old city hall hundreds of yrs. old still in use and the old church once catholic were the two best things we saw. We went in a confectionary store & ate ice cream, the first since in Europe. ..........the Rhine........ After we ate supper we chatted until nine then left for our hotel.

(Note: The remainder of the diary is in legible script most of the time. The small diary ends with the entry on the 7th of Sep. and a larger note book is used, which appears to be an alphabetized ledger approximately 6" by 3.5". This appears to have been a note book Bertha used sometimes during the day to remind herself about things she wished to write in her diary at night. When she ran out of the pages in the small dairy, she resorted to using the remainder of this ledger. The smaller diary which held the bulk of this trip also cnotains some entries from June-July 1892, probably the diary of Sallie F. Jahnke, and had notes from a trip to Long Island Sound, and also some poetry. This dairy will be abstracted at a later time.)

Thurs. Sep. 6th 1894

About eight, after eating our breakfast, we took a coach and called on the dentist we met on boat. From here we went to Mr. Obermeyer's and stayed until time to leave for Geneva 10.30. It took eight hours to reach there, but the scenery was so grand that you couldn't get tired. Mountains with blue water at foot and a touch of sunshine at times through rain. The land was cultivated and mostly in grapes, which grew like our butter-beans on a small pole. We reached here at half past six, very tired. Father had telegraphed for rooms a Hotel Richemond, as Mr. Obermeyer said the National Congress in session here made rooms in demand. This hotel is called the American and you hear as much English as French not much German. Our rooms are very nice, fronting on the Lake. We retired at half past nine.

Friday. Sep 7th 1894

After eating our breakfast we started out in search of Patek Philippe & Co. where father wished to buy watches. Had no trouble in finding it as it was opposite our Hotel just across the Lake. They were very kind, showed us through all the factory; a nice old gentleman who spoke English well. From here we went to Hotel for dinner 12 ½ oclock. After dinner we walked around to see all the stores, and went to Patek Philippe & Co. again, as this same gentleman wanted to go with father to the case factory. After this we took a carriage and drove for two hours. Saw old tower built by Caesar when he passed through Geneva, Waterworks; went on mountain top and could see over whole Geneva. Went into Russian church. Drove through fine resident parts. Then to hotel.

1894
Saturday. Sep 8th

We rose at six ate breakfast and were on the train for Basel at seven oclock. This route to Basel was not over the same road as when we came from Basel to Geneva as we changed cars at Lucerne. The scenery was grand, deep ravines, mountain crags, vineyards on mountain sides. Many tunnels. Beautiful lakes. Two ladies sat with (us) who had lived in America. This made our time more pleasant. In eight hours we were in Basel. Mr. Obermeyer hadn't gotten our telegram so didn't meet us. Hotel Hofer was near depot, where he stopped too. We ate dinner & went to the house, they were surprised to see us. We stayed with them until nine then went hotel & retired. Rained all evening.

1894
Sunday. Sep. 9th

We left Basel at 10 oclock for Koln. It rained hard all day. The scenery along the Rhine was beautiful, so many ruins of old castles. The grapes growing up to top of mountain. The small steamers on Rhine. Such a nice old gentleman traveled with us and turned out to be a near relative of Mrs. Victors. His name was Dr. Zahn. Of course this made our day shorter, to be so highly entertained, for he was jolly. At eight oclock we reached Koln. It is a large city 300,000 inhabitants. Hotel Ernst isn't half square from depot & a fine hotel. I [sic] didn't feel like Sunday though we spent a quiet day. We retired at nine. The rain had stopped.

1894
Monday Sep 10th

About nine oclock we went to see the Cologne Cathedral, it is just across from Hotel Ernst. Of course it is Roman Catholic, the most immense dome in the world I suppose. They have been building on it for 600 years. The corner stone was laid in 1248. The two great towers are 532 ft high, the main isle in church is the same length. The catholics [sic] are coming & going all day --praying. Over 500 pieces of statuary in & around building. We paid 3 marks and went into the room of treasures, where are valubles [sic] once used by priests, and given to the church. We went into cathedral three times. The magnificent windows with paintings of bible scenes, each given by some King or queen were too lovely to describe. There are only two protestant churches in this city. Most of the people are catholics [sic]. We drove for three hours after dinner, went to the zoological garden, and saw the many animals from different countries. Saw the magnificent statue of Wm. IV surrounded by 15 other men of note. Humboldt & c_____. The old city wall and main towers still stand and are repaired and well preserved. Some of the entrances(?) ______ around city is left too as a relic. A statue of Bismarck too is on a public square. The depot building here is the largest we have seen. The city is closely built, some street are too narrow for two carriages to pass, but air is very clean. Lovely stores & buildings. The City Hall was old but magnificent. The theatre was large could seat 4,000 people, but the one Geneva(?) was grander and larger. Father is writing to Minnie while I write here. We went to Bank this morning and got money. The gentleman only spoke English. It was Cooks Office.

Tuesday Sep 11th
1894

We left Koln about 10 oclock on through express and were in Rotterdam between three & four. Had pleasant company, an English lady on her way home from some city in Southern Germany where she had been 4 mo. under treatment for asthma. A Mrs. Klinge, near Manchester England. Also a Mrs. Moss from N.Y. America. We ate dinner at our same Hotel Coomans, then walked around and found the Netherlands Office, but couldn't get in as it closes at five P.M. We returned hotel ate supper and retired as we were worn out.

Wed. Sep. 12th
1894

While at breakfast Mr. Adkinson found us, he had arrived here at 8 oclock night before as he sailed today on Amsterdam. We went to wharf and had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Van Shots family too who came over with us. We stayed and saw them out of sight, then watched them get our ship the Werkendam in position. It was interesting, saw our captain and Purser and headwaiter. We felt at home, and were glad not to leave on another steamer. Walked about in different parts of Rotterdam and looked at stores. Returned to hotel ate dinner, wrote letters. Father went out to buy or look at some robes, with a man who spoke English.

Letter Home:

Grand Hotel Coomans
Rotterdam
Sep 12th 1894

My dear Lulie;

We are again in Rotterdam you see and we are not sorry, as getting home is the principle object in view now. We dont sail until Saturday Morning but we wanted plenty of time before to get things ready for sailing. One of the Netherland Line Steamers sailed this morning and we went to see it off as several people were on it that came over when we did, it was like meeting old friends. The preacher who went with us from Rotterdam to Berlin was at same hotel too and left this morning. Father has been nervous for a week to get to Rotterdam, now he is satisfied, though he seems to dread his trip. But he is so well that I cant think he could be sick.

I cant tell you how delighted I was to find a letter from you, one from Minnie, two from Franz and one from Maggie Graham at Steamer Office this morning; also one from Uncle Krebs in Rheinsberg. He can write a good english [sic] letter now and seems to consider it a privelege [sic] to write as he is so anxious to learn more about English. You certainly would like him, he is so kind and such a gentleman. He is my pet of the family. I can only describe Aunt and Cousin when I see you, they are not as nice in any way as he is. Father was disappointed in them, but delighted with Uncle. We left Berlin 4th Sep. so you haven't had a letter since as I've been on go each minute. I must tell you our travels. First it took from nine in morning until one oclock midnight to reach Basel. It rained all day and was still coming down when we stopped, but we had no trouble as the hotel uninibus (?) was there and in about 10 mi (minutes) we were in our rooms. Next morning we went in search of Mr. Obemeyer [sic] and fortunately found him home, or rather at his brother's home. His brother Mr. Obermeyer died 19th July so he has been with them since. He spends his life traveling, has for 25 years now, until nothing has any pleasure or beauty any-more. He was so glad to see us and we were nicely entertained, which made it seem like home. At half nine next morning we left Basel for Geneva; got there between six & seven, had no trouble about hotel as Mr. Obermeyer {knowing that the national Congress was in session and all hotel [sic] were full} made father telegraph to the Richmond Hotel called the American for two rooms, so they were ready for us, and here English was as much spoken as french [sic] & German. Our Hotel faced the Lake. The city is built around the lake and as it was a day of celebration there were red lights around the lake which made it look lovely. The city is surrounded by mountains, the lake is formed by ice melting on mountain-tops, so the water is blue and so clear that you can see the pebbles on bottom. Many bridges cross the water uniting both sides of city. Next morning we went to Patek Philippe & Co just across water opposite Hotel. They were very nice to us; gave us a nice gentleman that could speak English to show us through the factory. They have a nice store, but have only watches and diamond jewelry, all curtains and draperys [sic] are red, in centre they have a stand like with an immense palm on it, then made around this is a cushioned seat covered in red satin. They even sent a man with us to show us the case factory, not their's, but where they had some made. We drove three hours and saw all the buildings of note, and up on a mountain where we could see all over the city. Father enjoyed seeing the Jewelry stores, had never seen as fine any where else. Geneva is said to have about 300,000 inhabitants. The Duke of Brunswick left all his fortune to beautify Geneva and requested that a monument costing three million should be erected to his memory. This has been done, and is grand. It is in shape of dome and suspended in centre is a marble coffin containing his remains, all is a pinkish & white marble. Next morning at 7 oclock we left Geneva for Basel as we had to go that way in order to get to Koln, then to Rotterdam. We went a different route this time. I wish I could describe the scenery, over ravines - through tunnels, along river banks, by beautiful lakes. Mountains in vineyards to their tops. We reached Basel about four, and stopped at same hotel that Mr. Obermeyer lives at as it was at depot. He was surprized [sic] to see us so soon, didn't expect us until Sunday, but father got so restless, so far from home that he had to come. Next morning {Sunday} we started for Koln {Cologne} at nine oclock. I didn't like this, but poor father was so nervous that go he must. It took until eight to get there, so you may know we were tired. We had good company though - two Drs & the wife of one. We were saying we regretted so much that Mrs. Victor's sister, Miss Graeber of Essen was from home & we couldn't see her, when lo & behold this old gentleman was an uncle and knew them so well had just had another of Mrs. Victor's sisters at his home visiting. Now wasn't that remarkable? Monday morning we were rested and started out sightseeing. The most noted thing here was the Cathedral. It is a world wonder and streams of people are going in & out all day, some catholic who go for prayer & confession, but mostly sightseers. There are 2 domes 532 ft high, centre isle same length. The foundation or corner stone I mean was laid 1248, but they have just completed it, over 500 pieces of statuary. The windows covered with bible paintings are alone worth seeing. It took five hours to reach Rotterdam from Koln. So you see we spent a week in travel and now we are glad to rest until Saturday. Now with best love from father and myself

I am
Your devoted
Sister Bertha

(small P.S. note follows)
Minnie wrote she was home, or would be by now I am so glad as I know poor little Hunter was lonely & Anton too. I am so glad you wrote to Hunter. get money enough to come home when we do as I just cant do without seeing you. We leave on 15th and it generally takes 13 da. So you can meet us in N. York. Wouldnt [sic] that be grand. Bertha