Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format.Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Wonderful Book...
If you love the beauty, romance and history of Europe, you will love this book.

On July 1st 1844, Bayard Taylor set out from New York on a boat called the Oxford, for a two year adventure traveling across Europe with a knapsack and his staff. Here, he describes being in Germany at Christmas... "About the commencement of December, the Christmarkt, or fair, was opened in Romerberg, and has continued to the present time. The booths, decorated with green boughs, were filled with toys of various kinds, among which, during the first days, the figure of Sinnt Nicholas was conspicuous. There were bunches of wax candles to illuminate the Christmas tree, gingerbread with printed mottos in poetry, beautiful little earthenware, basket-work, and a wilderness of playthings. The fifth of December, being Nicholas evening, the booths were lighted up and the square was filled with boys, running from one stand to another, all shouting and talking together in the most joyous confusion. The poor people went by with their little presents hidden under their cloaks, lest their children might see them; every heart was glad and every countenance wore a smile of secret pleasure."

You will find this book filled with such detailed descriptions it is as though you are right there with him. Here is his description of New Year's Eve in Germany... "New Year's eve is also favored with a peculiar celebration in Germany. Everybody remains up and makes himself merry until midnight. The Christmas trees are again lighted, and while the tapers are burning out the family play for articles which they have purchased and hung on the boughs. It is so arranged that each one shall win as much as he gives, and the change of articles creates much amusement. One of the ladies rejoiced in the possesion of a red silk handkerchief and a cake of soap, while a cup and a saucer and a pair of scissors fell to my lot. As midnight drew near, the noise became louder in the streets, and the companies of people, some of them singing in chorus, passed by on their way to the Zeil. Finally, three-quarters struck, the windows were opened, and everyone waited anxiously for the clock to strike. At the first sound, such a cry arose as one may imagine, when thirty or forty thousand persons all set their lungs going at once. Everybody in the house, in the street, over the whole city, shouted, "Prost Neu Jahr"! In families, all members embrace each other, with wishes of happiness for the new year. Then, the windows are thrown open, and they cry to their neighbors or those passing by."

If you need a good book to curl up with the fall or winter, this is it. I had fun googling along with him so I could see exactly what he was seeing. My copy of this book is a Victorian from the 1800's, but I had no idea it was available on Amazon. Enjoy the book... Steven



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Product Description
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format.Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format.Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship. ... Read more