Hannover, Germany

Sept. 25, 1889

My dear Mother & Father

This day has passed too quickly.  I thought to accomplish more.  I have just finished a letter to Auntie Hall.  From whom I heard day before yesterday.  She was then hoping to go to Mrs. Gross’s where she and Mr. Hinton were invited, where she and Mr. Hinton were invited.  .  I hope she can go and be happy.  We thought of the weather were fine we  would visitvisit ‘Herren Hausen’ to-day, Wednesday, as it is our off day & we have no lesson, but it has not been pleasant for long at a time, so we have put it off until the weather is good.  Herren Hausen is the Palace of the former king of Hannover, and to reach this palace one passes through a double row of limes (?) which are a mile and a half long.  Beautiful indeed, are the grounds but so extensive that we were unable to go over all in the afternoon we spent there with Fraulein Munkemeyer about which I wrote you. We have yet to visit the beautiful Palm garden.

This morning I visited alone the gallery of paintings where we spent one day-  from ten until one a few day after we cema here.  Miss Swan thought she would have time later, and I thought I would take advantage of the morning.  The paintings are beautiful.  I also took time to go through the natural history collection which is very extensive.  I came home a little before time for dinner, and spent the time studying Herman.  I’ve been expecting to go out to mail my letters but it has been  so unpleasant this afternoon that I’ve concluded to send them by “Tante Heidelburg” when she goes home this evening, as she does every evening taking only her meals here.  Yesterday morning I went again to the market with the Frauleins-  so many delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers.  How I wish you could see the lovely gardens in the street.  In the afternoon I went out to buy some papers printed in “Kaiser” week which told about the decoration etc.  I can not read them well now, but think it a good plan to have them to read later.

I paid my bill to-day to Fraulein Hennie for one month, 80 marks- $20- and one mark to the servant- 25 cents.  It is customary to give a mark ever month to the servant.  Tante Heidelburg said at four o’clock coffee this pm. that I was beginning to understand everything that was said. but she’s  far from right.  I don’t understand half.  and yet I’m gaining every day.  It is great pleasure to learn the language.  I believe I never enjoyed any study so well, not even chemistry.  I wish I were going to learn french also.  I wish I were going to be in Paris awhile and learn French –  I’ve a great longing to learn to speak and read it-  The Tivoli, I am sorry to say, is closed, but there are other good things coming in the musical line.  I was in the art gallery this a.m. A German lady came up to me and began asking me in German about a picture .  I answered her in English whereupon she spoke to me in the same language and said “Oh, you are an English lady.”

Miss Swan and I have been practicing the German shrug, and we think we have acquired it to perfection – If one asks them a question which they do not know, their answer is given in the universal language, which we perfectly understand.

We are now sitting in the parlor with the Frauleins after having had our tea.  I told them that I was writing to you.  Immediately they wished me to send you their greetings- or to translate the German literally, “To greet you for now.” Tante Heidelburg who is always very merry added to  tell you that she thought you must be very nice to judge from her amiable (or lieben mussidig(?)  which is hard to translate- it literally means worthy of love)  daughter.  You would be very much pleased with these three ladies-  They are always so kind, ready to help and interested.  We were told to-night at the table by one of the Frauleins of the storm along the coast in the U.S.  We were able to translate it.   We often long for home papers.  Perhaps Carl would send me a “World” once in a great while.  I would like to know what is going on in the world- not the paper ‘The World’.

I believe Tante Heidelburg is about to go- it is dark out and I believe she’s going, so I must say good night. Dearest ones, good night, a loving kiss to each.  Write often do – I long much to hear from you. I hope and pray for your happiness.  I  am now about to write to Zurich – I can not remember Rena’s  birthday, but I know it’s about this time.  My love to her and to all the children, Carl

Your loving daughter,    Harriett E. R.