(Prior letter home is continued) Coslin
Thursday Morning 10 oclock

We left Belgard at half past nine so you see it took only half an hour to reach here. Father had gone out in search of Mr. Peter's family and other friends, Aunt Henrietta has gone another direction in search of her friends {as she lived here once and then too Coslin is to Hinterpoman what Richmond is to Bon Air same distance & all so [sic] it is fathers old home where he learnt his business.} so I am alone in "Schufmacker's Hotel". It is nice to be alone awhile as I cant write when all are talking. I must give you an account of Belgard. We arrived at the place near night. Father had address of Hotel from Mr. Peters so it was nice, faced the market place, a large open square called "Ottow's Hotel'. We secured rooms & Father went out alone in search of his old business place and to see if he knew any-one. It was not long before he came and said we would leave in morning as he knew no one & no one knew him. Wed. morning was market day so when we awoke things were alive. A man & dog had at least 200 geese & it was amusing to watch the dog keep those geese in one tiny spot. Wagons stood thick all over, there is no house as we have. Well while we were watching this father ordered breakfast we put on wraps {it was cool here} and walked along the same canal {a lovely walk} that father used to walk when in business here. Now we returned to hotel to make ready to go. Father talked with friends and found out where the daughter of his and his fathers most intimate friend lived, so of course we had to stay another night & see them. Father called alone first and told his name. The lady was delighted said her father had never ceased to talk of father and her mother too was like a mother to father when he lived in Belgard. The old lady was dead her father too. Nothing has changed here. The same people live in the house which father had business in and the old lady is living, so Mrs. Kriesler sent for her. She is 73 years old but as active & young as possible and if ever you saw people enjoy any-thing they did. In a little while an old fellow came in and stood before father and said "Herr Jahnke do you remember me". It was the old barber that used to cut fathers hair. He is 76 but still works at his trade. The whole town seemed to know of father. So many remembered his coming to America and thought then he was crazy. We took supper with these people. Mr. Thifler is the watchmaker who took father's place here. He remembered well when father left and he & his dear old wife were so tender with us. These old villages remind me of Williamsburg not a new house, and all the old ones look exactly alike. They will say such & such a house is very new - not more than 20 years old. Father certainly does enjoy all this, they seem to think him a mirical [sic]. They say they look upon people who go toAmerica as lost to sight forever. Mrs. Kriesler is a dear old lady and has seen so much trouble. Lost all eleven children, mother & father. They have plenty of means, but live in the planist [sic] way. Her husband is a kind old man, but not as refined as she is. She went with us for a walk in evening. The walks here are too pretty for (?) anything. You can go miles & miles on a walkway with lovely trees on either side. No wagons allowed on it. All over Germany the roads & walkways are grand, the villages are 15 & 20 miles apart and these roads lead from one to another. Mr. Peters will come here Sunday on his Bycycle [sic]. The people here don't compare with Americans in refinement. Even the best are not in manners so pleasing as our American Ladies & gentlemen. I see nothing to induce one to live here. The gardens take place of home sociability. The men are in army and the women do all the work. You see only old men and children. Mens wives are their servants-- drudges. You see the women carrying bundles, the men walking by their side smoking. The men are beer-kegs all drink and have no energy. Even women stand at railroads crossing & let down the bar, place flag under arm and stand erect as a soldier as the train passes.

Just how long we will stay in Coslin I don't know. I think we will take a carriage here and drive to Bietzifur. From here we intend going to Berlin. At Stettin Aunt Henrietta will leave us, and father isn't sorry as he don't find her as pleasant as he expected and it cost [sic] so much more too. Helene will join us in Berlin. She wanted to stay with us until we left for America, but this wont suit us at all, so father will take us around in Berlin then she will return to Rheinsberg, and we go to Switzerland alone. It costs father too much and german [sic] women are not so pleasant to travel with no how. You must imagine the difference as I cant describe it on paper. You mustn't think hard of us for not writing oftener as it is almost impossible, when we go every-day. At night we are too tired and in the day we are on the go. I think it best to address all my letters to you as they reach there sooner and you would want to open them if they were addressed to others so it is all same & I hope each one thinks it all right. I am so anxious to get to Bietzfufur (spelling of this place changes frequently in the letters and dairy) and hear from home once more. We have been from Rheinsberg a week & one day, so it seem long no papers, no letters. We have seen nothing that will not make us love home better. Every-thing is so built up here all land so cultivated. You never see a pretty home, with porches and yard. The dwelling houses are to edge of pavements, two story, with old time slanting roofs. Not even alleys between. The halls are of stone or brick. It gives it all such a cold unhomelike feeling. No floors are carpeted, are made of broad boards not tongue & grooved, painted . Even the finest hotels are so. Have a small drugget and tiny rugs by bed. Berlin is the only place where the water arrangements are nice as in America. This is a lovely city, but all say it is not as pretty as our Washington. Certainly the Statue of "Frederick the Great" is not as pretty as our Richmond Washingtons Statue. It may have cost more as there are many bronze statues in groups in relief around base, but they are so cramped looking, that in beauty it doesn't compare with our Washington. Not as high either and the horse not so life like. We will spend several days in Berlin and go into the noted buildings. I don't think we can get to Paris, though all travelers told us we ought to, but it will depend on our time in Switzerland. We are going up the Rhine, all say this is the grandest trip in the world. Now I just wonder what you all are doing. It is so cool here that I cant think it is warm there. I wear a long blue ulster with cape {which I bought in Berlin} every time I go out, then have suffered with being chilly. Father & I are both just as well as can be and it is surprising how much I can walk. We had slight colds when we came off ship, but are over them now entirely. I cant say I find the cooking as nice here as in America. You never see any nice fruit here. Plumbs, cherries, gooseberries, & currants, you get stewed sometimes. But watermelons & muskmelons apples & peaches you never see. Melons they don't even know of. No tomatoes, either, no corn, nothing good like in Virginia. They don't even have these things. Lettuce & cucumber you get. Our boat life was American, it was grand. We fly from one place to another so fast that it is confusing. It is nice to see the cattle always attended by some-one, you never see a fence. Even the railroad bank are cultivated, grass is cut here, and potatoes are raised, no spot that will grow any-thing is left. Now I want to write in my diary so must close this letter. I do hope and pray all are well and that every-thing is getting on nicely. It will be nice to see you all again. I imagine Minnie is getting ready to leave Petersburg now. She must stay some with Annie then Hunter can see her easily. I wonder how my little darling is getting on without Sister. Kiss him for me. Much love to Anton, Robert, Minnie, Annie and all at home, the servants too.

Your devoted Sister
Bertha Jahnke
Father finds it very hard to write is ever on the go. Always wants me to send best love to each one.

(In a slightly different, much larger script than that in the letter, probably Albert Sr. writes):
Much love to each Bon Air friend. Tell them not writing is no sign they are forgotten. The Cooks & Bates especially Hazens too.

1894
Friday Aug 17th

After having breakfast at hotel, Mr. Peters & his father came for us to go the flower-garden. It was a grand affair. The head-gardner [sic] seemed to enjoy showing us around. It looked strange to see cucumbers and musk-melons raised under-glass. The gardner [sic] gave me many lovely flowers. From here we went to Mr. Peters home to dinner. After dinner we took a carriage and in company with Mr. Peters & father & sister and our aunt drove around the city and out 4 mi (miles) beyond to a little resort on a mountain, where there is a dome from which can be seen the Baltic Sea and the country for miles around. Father had to be at Tailors at 6½ oclock so we returned in time. This is a son of his old tailor, where 50 yrs. ago he had clothes made. We returned to Mr. Peters had supper and after chatting a while went to hotel.

Letter Home:

Coslin
Saturday Morning
Aug 18th 1894

My darling Minnie:

Franz's letter written Aug 5th and addressed to Mr. Peter's father reached us yesterday in 12 da. much to our delight. Mr. Carl Peters came here Thursday evening on his Bycycle [sic], stopped by Bietzefur, and found that many letters were there for us, but cousin was away and the letters were locked up so he couldn't bring them. Tomorrow we will drive there and attend church in fathers old church. We leave here at half past seven as church opens at nine. I will enjoy this and my letters from home too. Mr. Peters has a nice father, an invalid mother her mind is weak, {but it is lovely to see how they treat her}, she has been getting worse & worse for 3 yrs. He has two of the nicest sisters you ever saw, the nicest girls I'ves [sic] seen since here. The oldest and the youngest. The middle one is married and has three little children. Mr. Peters told us about her husband being no account when he first saw us. It has given them a great deal of trouble. Her two little girls {little beauties one 5 other 3½ yrs old are with their grand parents}. I have enjoyed seeing them. They are beautifully raised, and their Aunts & Uncles feel so sorry for them. Our Mr. Peters will take one to live with him. He has no children. He has one brother a watch-maker with his father. Another brother who has a business of his own in another place {We havn't seen this one} and his youngest brother has something to do with law. All are nice. His youngest sister is a little trump [sic]. She keeps house, cooks and takes care of her mother. She is rather pretty and has such sweet refined ways that you can but love her. The oldest sister is in some business in another city, but has vacation now. It is a lovable family. This oldest girl is a splendid, good woman about 55 years old, she is the oldest child, then our Mr. Peters. He has told them so much about our family that they know each name, and can't do enough for us. We have had to go there to dinner & supper both days. Yesterday evening we took a carriage and drove out about four miles to a little resort on mountain top. I sent Robert a postal with picture on it as Souvenier [sic]. Genie & Ada & Mrs. Adamson too, so you can see the place. Old Mr. Peters, Carl, and oldest sister went with us. We went up in the dome and if ever you saw a grand view this was. You could see the Baltic on one side and cultivated land dotted with villages; and elegant roads, bordered with trees, winding through the country from one village to another. These roads are kept up by the government and are as good as our finest drives in city. This is the country for Bycycles [sic] you can go just as long as you want to, never stopping on account of roads. Many people use them here. Mr. Peters would like to stay with us all time, it will be hard for him to see us go. Here is a fine flower-garden and old Mr. Peters knows the owner well, so yesterday we had to go and see it all. It looks strange to see them raising cucumbers and musk-melons under glass. Cucumbers are raised the whole year, but melons are very scarce, are just such curiosetys [sic] as an orange tree is in Richmond. The gardner [sic] had some nearly ripe, so father ordered a fine one for Sunday for old Mr. Peters. The cost I don't know. The head gardner [sic] showed us around. He understood English, but couldn't speak. Father wanted to buy some pinks. He laughed and told father that he didn't need flowers and couldn't buy them, but I could have all I wanted, and he gave me a lovely bouquet of many kinds of flowers. You all have gotten our letters by this time and know when and on what steamer we leave for home, so can have letters there for us. I have seen so much and all is so different from America that I can talk for months about something new. We look forward with pleasure to our Switzerland trip and up the Rhine. I made a great mistake to have silk dresses, have never unpacked them, as it is too cool. My traveling suit is beginning to wear out around bottom. My silks will have to be ironed to get the wrinkles out when I come home. In Berlin I bought a long blue {very dark} ulster with a cape, very light weight and very nice quality, it cost about $7½ in American money. The same cloak would have cost double or more there. I will buy you a heavier and bluer one than mine. It is impossible to get all I wanted in Europe as it is so much trouble to travel with baggage, and have to undo it so often. You all mustn't expect much. Aunt Henrietta is out now calling on friends & shopping. Father is out with Mr. Peters so I am alone and have time to write. I'm afraid I will be completely spoiled when I return. Won't it be nice to get home again with you all and my dear friends at Bon Air. Give best love to each one and tell them not writing is no sign that they are forgotten. Mr. Peters wishes to be remembered to the Mr Moores, Hazens, Hammie, Blanch..(?), Cooks and all at home too. My darling little Hunter, & Robert I think of so often and hope each day Anton isn't working too hard. I was glad to hear that Simon was doing so nicely do hope all will continue so until our return. Franz said you were enjoying your-self, and your letter was so bright that it made me feel happy in regard you and all. Now Father has come for me to go out and see market place so I must stop. Give much love to my little S.S. Class. I do miss them Sundays. Kiss Mrs. Bates & Mrs. Hammond, but don't let any feel slighted, love to all. I must write to Eunice next. Father sends much love to each and all. I can't help laughing how he seem opposed to writing.

Love to each dear one at home
Your devoted
Sister.
Love to all the servants too.
I have written to Luly this morning.

Saturday Aug 18th 1894

It was rainy & damp until nearly twelve so I didn't go out. Then Mr. Peters came for aunt and myself and we went into the church. Mr. Peters father has to wind up the clock every day so we could go through without any trouble. This is the same clock father use to wind so I had to climb in steeple to see it. Such dangerous seps! I had to hold tight on a rope. The view over the country was lovely. There were three bells in this tower the largest was immense. Over one side was a small bell about 1½ ft. in diameter called the sinners bell. It is rung when any one is beheaded. After this we went to Mr. Peters to dinner. After dinner we went to "Yamund Village" said to be the oldest village. Here we visited the home of peasants, ate home-made bread, had coffee & milk. The old lady took great interest in us and showed me her Sunday suit. It consist of a curious kind of cornered cap or bonnet of black goods with fur around face {grey} trimmed with lace & velvet. The dress skirts come little below Knee, long black stockings & slippers or low shoes. All is woven at home. It was black with a greenish cast and a band of green woven in at bottom. They are very wide. For bodies they have bright colored red & blue stripped vests like men, made very narrow in front and a large shield laid in and loops across to lace this vest, thus holding this shield, which is made of black goods for common wear. Her Sunday one was bright with red blue & brass trimmings. Around the bottom of this vest is sewed a thick roll {about 2 in (inches) in diameter} to keep their heavy skirt on. She had on a white jacket; on Sundays she wears a black one. On her head she had one of these curious bonnets {summer and winter is all the same} of black with fur around {the fur indicates a married woman}. Under this odd bonnet they have a white band. She showed me her Sunday bands of lace. The hair is plaited in with a bright string and hangs down the back. They are the most comicle [sic] people I ever saw. The men wear knee pants and bright vests & jackets & four cornered caps. They say the young people are giving up this mode so in a short while this curious people well be a thing of the past. This village was nearly burnt out a year or so ago, so many new buildings stand. To look at them you would think the interior must correspond with the outside, but no, the floors if wood, are sprinkled with sand and is not at all inviting. In some you enter a large open hall, earth floor, around this are what appear closets with curtains over door, pull these aside and you see a bed. The farm hands sleep here, the families live in adjoining rooms, every where looks cold, damp & unhomelike [sic]. In front you come to manure heap. Around this are built stables & barns and back {all joined in a square} is the dwelling. A well is just by this manure too. I can't see how these people live. But they are independent and happy. All are well off and their buildings are good & substantial. All were rich where we visited, but lived like cattle. We drove a mile or so beyond to get a view of Yamusind (?) Sea. Returned to Mr. Peters home took supper & went to hotel. {town bell rings at noon Sat.}

Sunday 19th

We made an early start 8 oclock for Bitzecker so as to be in time for church. We stopped at hotel {a miserable little place} and let cousin know of our arrival. He was expecting us so we went at once to his home. This was the same house father lived in as a child, the last place he saw his parents. The old home was the same as nothing changes here. It made us feel sad to see all again {but no mother father sister all gone}. We went to church it is surrounded by a grave-yard. Father had a little sister "Hetwich" buried here. We sat on bench in choir or next to organ. The church is very old and is just as it was when father was a boy. The floor is brick pavement. The ceiling is boarded and painted blue & white with stars all over to represent sky. The windows are small and high from floor, are never opened, so the air in the church is horried [sic] and the wall in many places are moulded [sic]. The walls are painted a pinkish. No benches are cushioned here. No arrangement for warming the church. The pulpit is as ours in the small church, but has a crucifix with a statue of Christ on one side & of the Virgin on other, all just as it was when father left 50 years ago. It was painful for father when the organ began as it brought his childhood so vividly before him, his mother, father, home and all. His father played the organ here for many years. He wept bitterly, for some minutes I was glad he could, it was best. It rained when church was over so we hurried home. Here we enjoyed going from room to room and talking of father's boy days, his parents etc. Went into old schoolroom & father took a seat at same bench where he used to sit under his fathers instruction. After dinner many friends of cousins came to see father. Two old schoolmates both 70 or more. An English lady living in noblemans family, came to call on me as she was so anxious to see some one who could speak English. Thus ended our day and at 8 oclock we came again to Coslin, leaving Aunt at Bietzik until we returned. Mr. Peters, his father & mother were with us.

Monday Aug. 20th 94

In morning we were invited by Mr. Remisch a rich machinist to lunch. We only spent two hours. He has a lovely home and a large manufacturing establishment making machines of all kinds, showed us all through. In evening we went to the paper mill and it indeed interesting to see the wood cut into small pieces, then washed in water with chemicles [sic] until it is snow white. Mr. Ulreif showed us through, he is a friend of Mr. Peters, only friends are allowed to go through.

Tuesday Aug. 21st 1894

At half past ten Father Helwisl (?) & my-self left for Rugetwalde to see father's old friend Mr. Albert Samows. We had telegraphed so he knew we were coming but didn't know when. He had been at depot twice, now was not there. We got a hotel only a few blocks from depot, and father went out in search of his friend. In few minutes returned for us; he lived only a few blocks from hotel. The dear old man now 72 yrs. old was very tall his lovable wife small, both lovely together. They received us so warmly. It was nice to see father once again with his friend after 48 yrs. He got out a letter written by father in 1849. Father enjoyed reading it. We ate dinner and then started out sightseeing. Got on a tiny little steamer and went to Baltic sea a ride of 20 mi (minutes or miles ??). Here it was lovely, many people have summer homes here. Walked back on a lovely road. Ate supper, showed pictures, chatted, then went to hotel as we were tired.

Wed. Aug 22nd 1894

At eight oclock we were at Mr. Samows to breakfast as we had promised . After breakfast we walked all about the city. To old church and all through grave-yard. Mr. Samow lost his only son, just seventeen years old, six months ago. Some of the old city wall and one "thurm" yets [sic] stands. We returned to house, had dinner and then had to leave for train at two. Mr. & Mrs. Samow daughter & husband all went to see us off. The dear-dear old gentleman I will never forget & his lovely wife. We got to Coslin between five & six, went to hotel for a while, then to our friends the Peters. There we had supper sat a while then returned to hotel and retired as we were very tired.

1894
Aug. 23rd Thursday

In morning it rained for several hours so father went out in search of friends but I stayed at hotel and wrote some letters. One to Franz one to Mary Martin one to Aunt Mollie and another to Mr. Zamow (?). About half-past eleven father came for me to go with him to see the Miss von Kameke's [sic] the nobleman's daughters that he went to school with. Now they are old ladies, unmarried living comfortable over a tailors store, then they were wealthy. They were so glad to see father and cried as they talked over the past. There were five brothers all dead now but one & they dont know where he is. We enjoyed our stay, showed them some home pictures. After we had been gone some time one of them came to hotel & brought father her mothers picture the only one they had. We ate dinner and then took a nice walk with the girls. Father had to wait at hotel to meet a friend. We ate supper & retired.

1894
Friday 24th Aug.

Father intended leaving Coslin today, but found another friend Mr. Karsten whom he lived with for a year, and he wished him to come to coffee at three in evening so we did. We went out to a garden and their [sic] met many nice people one lady was a governess and could speak several languages. I enjoyed speaking English with her. From here we went to Mr. Peters Home and ate our last supper there as we were to leave early next morning for Betzicker.

Letter Home:

Coslin
Aug 24th 1894

My dear ones at home;

I have just finished a letter to Luly. It is raining again this morning so I have time to write. (A pause) Well I begin again father came in to take me to a friends house, an old gentleman and lady that he lived with for a year here. We are invited there again at three oclock to coffee, so we wont leave Coslin until tomorrow. Yesterday morning father found out through Mrs. Victors uncle where the von Komtete's lived here, so he went to call. Three sisters are living together unmarried, and if ever you saw people delighted to see any-body they were to see Albert as they called him. They were starting out when father came, but stayed and made father go & get me. They are poor now, but have plenty to live on. Are like our old aristocrats dressed so handsomely, live alone now and do nothing. They cried and talked to father of the past. All five brothers were worthless, are dead now, except one, he went to America and they havn't heard from him for 14 yrs. We wouldn't stay long as they were ready to go on street to make arrangements to attend a baptizing festival today at their old home, their cousin's little child. After we were gone some time the oldest came to hotel and brought father their mother's picture, the only one they had, and to express again her regrets that they were going away and couldn't invite us to dinner or see us more. Such fine nice ladies, here they are sought of worshipped [sic] but I can't see any difference we have many thousand such in America. They are only like our every-day nice people. My letter just came from Robert and I did enjoy it. _________(sentence cut off bottom of copy of letter)_____ collar, so near time for his wife to return too. I am delighted to know our dear Mr. Cook had such a fine trip. I will write now to Uncle Kerbs and tell him if any letters come for me in next six days forward to Berlin, after that to Rotterdam. Old Mr. Peters came to hotel and brought me Robert's letter and said they would expect us to dinner at one oclock again, we intended eating dinner here, but we can't, so it has been each day, they are so kind we feel that they would be hurt if we refused. I never saw two nicer girls than the two at home. Little Hetwich is cute and smart, the older one is like me has my place in the family when at home. Hetwich has to be housekeeper and all as I've said this older one has to live elsewhere. We will leave here tomorrow for Bitzikir, here Aunt Henrietta is. We will spend two days here - , then go direct to Berlin. ________(sentence cut off bottom of copy of letter)_____Rheinsberg. Helene will join us in Berlin and stay with us a few days then return to Rheinnsberg. We will go to Geneva. While in Berlin we will see Mr. Twyfords friend. Father is enjoying the papers that came with letter while I write. Now it is one oclock and I must close as they are looking for us to dinner. Wont it be nice to get home again, but dont think we are not enjoying ourselves. My letters tell that. The friend we will take coffee with is Mr. Karsten. I can't remember the german [sic] names. I begin to speak german [sic] some now, but of course make many mistakes. When I come home I want to study it all time, then speak too with my german [sic] friends. Now it is one so goodbye. Love to each one at home - servants too and all Bon Air friends (father joins me in much love) Your devoted

Sister Bertha. Hope the picnic will turn out well, be careful.