GO EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



May 19th, 1851. 



The most beautiful flower in the wreath of villages and 

 beauty spots which surround this eity of many attrac- 

 tions, is Blankenese, whither I went a week ago to-day. 

 The banks of the Elbe from and below Altona resemble 

 in character the ocean beaches, and if I were to make a 

 comparison with our home coast I should choose a spot 

 near Neukuren, where the little birch forest runs seem- 

 ingly into the ocean, including the sea-bordered land- 

 scape near AVanger-Spitze. 



At the end of two hours of walk below Altona, the 

 beach forms a small bay, more picturesque and higher 

 than I have ever seen, in the midst of which a sharp eye 

 may discover a miniature valley, from the middle of 

 which arises, on terrace-shaped walls, the beautiful vil- 

 lage of Blankenese. Every house, every hut and barn 

 lies either in the midst of pretty floral display, or is al- 

 most hidden by aged, wide-spreading trees. The terraces 

 make the laying out of streets superfluous, but here and 

 there one finds stairways facilitating access to the dwell- 

 ings. No matter whether one approaches Blankenese 

 from the shore or from the inland road, the same over- 

 powering scene awaits the visitor; and strange, indeed, 

 is the variation that greets the eye on every step. Here 

 nature is powerfully fascinating; one moment the view of 

 the village is completely hidden by a chestnut grove, 

 while in the next linden, acom or fir trees barely permit 

 a glimpse of the sun-kissed waters of the Elbe and the 

 mountain chain beyond, which appear to guard the king- 

 dom of Hanover. Blankenese has the appearance of a 

 mighty gatekeeper or sentinel at the mouth of the Elbe. 

 On the top of the elevation is the famous old Inn sur- 

 rounded by a beautifully laid out garden, from which 

 point one can view the rich Holstein farm lands for miles, 

 and watch the peaceful herds enjoying the fresh green 



monize with anyone, who assumes to be "better than thou" on 

 every occasion. It is, however, truly surprising that the young 

 traveller should have been keen enough to observe it during his 

 very short stay in the Hansatown. — Transl. 



