HAMBURG: GENERAL IMTRESSIONS 53 



masts, being rigged like schooners, overtowered many a 

 handsome three-master. The German flag, with the eagle 

 in golden field, waved bravely in the air. May it be hon- 

 ored everywhere as on this proud steamer! Unfortunate- 

 ly I received bad news on the arrival of the " Ernest Au- 

 gust," news which had a depressing effect upon me. Re- 

 membering that Fritz Benefeld had served on board of 

 this vessel, I inquired after him and heard from one of 

 the cadets that he has contracted dropsy in the chest, and 

 little hope is entertained for his recovery. He was left 

 in good care at Bremen. Too bad, he was a brave, good 

 fellow! However, I, too, am said to be a brave good fel- 

 low, and shall have to die some day, nevertheless! 



May 17, 1851. 

 During the whole of last week we have enjoyed unin- 

 terruptedly the most beautiful weather, which added 

 greatly to our pleasure during a number of little excur- 

 sions into the outskirts of Hamburg. Unfortunately one 

 1 is to limit one's time as the closing of the city gates at 

 stated hours of night prevents the enjoyment of an ex- 

 tended recreation.* Last Sunday, for instance, we walked 

 across the so-called "Hamburg Mountain" to Altona 

 and thence to Ottensen. When leaving the inner 

 city by the Millerngate, one is confronted by an im- 

 mense lawn, the walks of which are lined with beautiful 

 trees on either side; the center is cut by a fine, broad 

 avenue, which, as you approach Saint Pauli, is adorned 

 with nice new residences, and leads directly into the main 

 thoroughfare of the above mentioned suburb. This street 

 is called the Eeeperbahn, which name is the Low German 

 for rope-makers' alley, said tradesmen having formerly 

 occupied these parts and some of their long narrow work- 

 shops, which resemble modern bowling alleys, are still 

 shown in the neighborhood. This avenue, which, as I 

 said before, runs from the Millernthor to the Eeeper- 

 bahn, is called "Hamburger Berg," though one can hard- 



*The wall and the gates are no more in existence, though the 

 old names still mark the respective places, — Transl, 



