340

DOMESTIC MAHNERS OF THE TRUSSIANS.

island mound was seen a French-looking palace, (formerlythe Commandery of the Knights of the Teutonic Order);the facade of which reminded one of St. Cloud, with the ex-ception tliat it was striped with red sandstone pillars, and atthe end towards Lindau there was a chapel-like building;whilst in front of the palace a broad stone terrace juttedout somewhat after the fashion of the " Altan" at Heidel-berg, and this was dotted with persona watching the holiday-makers land.

Once on shore, the island was found to be like a gardenwith its careful cultivation; and after ascending the path-way round one corner of the pretty patch of earth we cameto an archway, where stood the money-taker with a soup-plate, demaiiding twopence of each person who entered.

At the back of the palace a long ränge of outhouses hadbeen converted into a Gasthof, and here were bowered seatsat the end of a garden. Hither the people came to drinktheir "neu Wein" (see p. 365) and "halbe Portione Caffe"while the military band that had landed with the passengersplayed waltzes and mazourkas at intervals, and the girlsdanced with their sergeants and sweethearts.

Round the palace stretched pretty-enough gardens, andat the rear were orcliards, and meadows, and crops tliattold of the luxuriant soil. Behind the palace, towardsConstanz, the land shelved gradually down to the water-side, and here was a narrow bridge, scarcely wider than thegangway from a steamer's floating-pier, connecting the islandwith the neighbouring shore. From its extreme narrownessthe bridge had the appearance of an interminable raisedrope-walk.

The view of the Alps from the terrace and gardens atMainau is very fine, commanding as the balcony does theentire sweep of the Lake from one end to the other.