Germany and Austria.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2372, 23 October 1880, Page 3 (Supplement)

Germany and Austria.

These courts are very incomplete; but enough is to be seen to inform us that they will, when thoroughly arranged, form one of the chief attractions of the Exhibition. But stay—do you like beer P Yes. Then come with me to yonder good-looking gentlemen with the blonde moustache and refined air. Stay, hero is Herr Schoenberger, the Austrian Commissioner ; he will escort us. But, first, for the beer.. Now, drink. Ha! I see the joy which is reflected on your visage. That is beer, my friend. It is called Dreher’s beer, and is almost as light and unintoxicating as lemonade. It is a beer which is essentially adapted to our climate. Dreher’s breweries are at Klein Schwechat, near Vienna ; at Steinbruck, near Pesth ; at Michelob, near Saatz, in Bohemia; and at Trieste. The Klein Schwechat brewery dates back as far as 1632 ! At the present day the four breweries produce 672,219 hectolitres of beer. To keep the beer, and preserve its flavour, it is stored in cellars in which the temperature is two degrees below freezing point. To accomplish this, 80,000,000 kilos of ice are placed in the repository. Messrs. Bchmedes, Ersloh and Co., If Market Buildings, Flinderslane, are the agents, as indeed they are the agents of half commercial Germany, as we shall presently see. Come, another glass of Dreher’s beer, to drink success to Austria. You know now where to come for real refreshment. This is a zither, an instrument which produces a mournful and pathetic melody. It is the favourite musical instrument of the Tyrolese. The samples shown here are made by Kerchner Bros., of Vienna. These chromo-lithographs are from the atelier of G. Euffenstein, of Vienna. Are they not admirable ? And these are shown by the Imperial Geological Institute. Here are exhibits of boots and shoes from the Joint-Stock Vienna Shoe Factory. Two thousand boxes of the goods made by this association have been sold since the Sydney Exhibition. Glycerine and toilet soaps, cosmetics, perfumery, and so forth, are exhibited by Calderarn and Bankmann, of Vienna. Meerschaum pipes of infinite variety are exhibited by Lewis Hartman and Son-in-law. Glassware of most beautiful design and exquisite fragility are shown by Count Harrach, whose factory is at Nuwelt, near Einwald, in Bohemia. Aug. Hegenbarth’sErben, Haida,Bohemia, exhibit a very beautiful collection of Bohemian glassware. Vases are shown of elegant design. One pair is especially fine, with white enamelled figures on a black background. Another pair of fancy pattern, with representations of angels amongst fleecy grey and bluish clouds. The effect is extremely pleasing, and reflects high credit on the artist who has executed the design. The table glassware comprises useful articles, such as decanters, water monkeys, jugs, &c., of all sizes and shapes, while the tumblers and wineglasses are of very superior quality, being well cut out and engraved, and compare very favourably with similar goods of English make. Franz Pallrine Konig and Co., Steinsohonau, Bohemia.—This firm manufactures glassware from the least to the most expen. sive descriptions, and the articles shown appear to be of undoubted excellence, in workmanship and general finish, A quantity of curious but very handsomely painted vases of various shapes may be seen. The painting and decorations, very similar to that in majolicaware, but more pleasing, perhaps, represents handsome flowers, &c., brought out in good relief in a dark ground. A large assortment of lampware is exhibited, which includes some very artistic and ornamental patterns. Uechtritz and Faist, Schuamberg, show a varied and attractive collection of majolica goods, comprising chiefly dinner sets of English patterns, including cheesestands, handsome vases, jugs of grotesque designs, inkstands, and many neat fancy lines, the cost of which appears to be extremely moderate. This majolicaware, though up to recently almost entirely in the hands of English and French manufacturers, is turned out by this firm quite equal to either, being well modelled and very effectively coloured.