The life of the town centers about the large park and the long streets of semi – detached villas around it, and another small park adjoining where the Grand Pavilion is and where the orchestral (open air) concerts occur afternoons and evenings daily.

This Pavilion or Casino is claimed to be the finest in the world. It was built for gambling and was decorated when the tables were the chief attraction of Hamburg. The decorations are very elaborate and much after the manner of the Waldorf dining room[.] There are several such rooms en suite. Here is also a mammoth piazza where dinners are served as well as in the dining room. Dancing and games are played in the salons and there is also a theatre where amateurs assisted by professionals give performances (operatic) twice weekly. The place is crowded now. More than ½ of the people are English and as it is easy to see of the very least class. Today being Sunday they had a tennis match and special illuminations tonight. Of course if they were at home they wouldn’t do it! There is a Royal Castle on the hill said to be handsomely _____ but as the Empress is here it may now be seen + the walks in the vicinity are charming.

Yesterday, I took a mineral bath in the new bath house a cut of which I enclose. For 50 cents one is given a sunny room 9x12 with a large sunken tub twice usual size and a large couch for resting, with showers and service and privilege of staying 2 hours[.] The water is very soft and grateful and noticeably soporific in its effect.

I think the charm of the place in the effect of the water and in the distinctly rural slate of the community not over 12000 guests are here annually now that the tables are abolished and those that come are very choice.

I leave here tomorrow if I can pluck up ambition to leave so sleepy a spot and hope to write from Berlin soon[.]

Lovingly Charles