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the sides of the orchestra. The royal box, which is in the centre of the house facing the stage, is in the form of a rotunda, supported by gilded pillars, and hung with draperies. Above it is the crown, and in front the royal arms. At the time we visited the theatre, this box was occupied by the Duke of Cumberland, who was in the Prussian military uniform, and one of the princes. The domestics of the King are permitted to stand in the rear of the box, which had an awkward appearance. His Majesty is said to be passionately fond of theatrical entertainments, and generally attends every night in a small box to the right of the stage, studiously avoiding all publicity. There is one of a similar form opposite to it for the accommodation of his family. No notice was taken of him, it being probably understood that he wished to remain incognito, and, therefore, any salutation on the part of the audience would have been a breach of etiquette. After the performance was ended, His Majesty merely looked out for a moment to view the number of persons in the house. In Denmark, on the contrary, when the sovereign rises at the theatre, all the spectators likewise get up simultaneously; and when he resumes his seat, they sit down. The musical strength of the company is very great, there being no fewer than fifty performers. The piece we saw was the opera of "Elizabeth, Queen of England ;" and,

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 81

strange to say, our virgin queen was represented by an extremely short and corpulent actress, which must be allowed to be not only contrary to historical truth, but a strange disregard of bienséance. It was well for the people of Berlin that Her Majesty of England existed only in history, or she might have resented the affront. An entertainment followed of a military kind: the day happening to be the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, many of the Prussian soldiers came forward on the stage, and this was followed by dances of persons habited in the costumes of different nations. It was highly ludicrous to behold Scotch Highlanders dancing, not as on their native mountains, with wild gesticulation and uncouth howl, but stepping with all the affected grace of a Parisian ballet-master. Towards the support of the opera-establishment the king allows the annual sum of 50,000 dollars. His Majesty has likewise just granted a license for thirty years to some French actors to open a theatre in this capital. The new theatre erected in the place of the one which was destroyed by fire on the 28th of July, 1817, is a very extensive and magnificent edifice, erected after the designs of Professor Schinkel, who is likewise the architect of the museum now building at Berlin, and of several other classical structures, both in the capital and other parts of Prussia. This theatre is admirably situated,

being entirely insulated, and its principal façade has a most noble portico of six Ionic columns thirty-eight feet high. The ascent is by a magnificent flight of thirty steps in front, occupying the entire width of the basement: on the pedestal, at each extremity, is a female figure reclining on a panther, But as this flight of steps, however classical in appearance, would be of little service when the weather was at all unfavourable, a sub-portico, or covered way, has been formed behind it, into which carriages drive and set down the company. The pediment of the portico. is decorated with sculpture, and above it are statues of Polyhymnia, Thalia, and Melpomene. A little beyond this pediment is a kind of attic or superstructure, likewise crowned with a pediment enriched with sculpture; and on its summit is a colossal figure of Apollo and Pegasus, making altogether a height of 120 feet from the ground, The walls of this edifice are entirely formed by two series of antæ; the intervals between which are filled with windows, so that the quantity of glass is enormous, and has given rise to much criticism, and some satire; it being affirmed that the building has been frequently mistaken at first by strangers for a vast conservatory. It must, however, be confessed, by every unprejudiced person, that this is altogether the most classical edifice of its kind in Europe. In

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83

the interior are several saloons, the principal one of which is used for concerts and festivals. This spacious apartment is seventy-four feet by fortytwo, exclusive of the tribune or gallery, which makes the total length 117 feet. The following inscription on the façade points out the date of the edifice:

(6 FREDERICUS GULIELMUS III. THEATRUM ODEUM INCENDIO CONSUMTUM MAJORE CULTU RESTITUIT, MDCCCXXI.'

Near the theatre is the academy of arts; a large building, with a clock contrived to show the hours distinctly during night. A new square is forming at the west end of the town, to be called the Leipziger Platz, and to be ornamented with an equestrian statue. The exchange, in front of which the merchants assemble, is a neat building, with apartments up stairs for refreshments and smoking; and a reading-room adjoining, where strangers are admitted on the recommendation of a member. Among the other public buildings that were in progress at the time we visited Berlin, was the Museum just mentioned as designed by Schinkel. It is now nearly completed, and, in fact, will be opened in the course of the present year (1828). This extensive pile has a very magnificent front, con

* Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views, both of this theatre and the museum, may be found in Schinkel's Sammlung Architectonisher Entwurfe.

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MUSEUM.

UNIVERSITY.

sisting of a single range of eighteen Ionic columns, and two antæ, forming a portico its whole length, 275 feet; and it is placed on a kind of terrace, the ascent to which is by a flight of steps 105 feet in width. The wall forming the back of this portico will be decorated with frescoes and bas-reliefs. Within the building are two courts, between which is situated a circular hall or rotunda, 66 feet in diameter, and 125 feet high to the summit of the dome, in which is a glazed aperture or sky-light, by which the hall is lighted, there being no other windows; in this respect, as well as its general form, it resembles the Pantheon at Rome. Around the lower part is a colonnade of the Corinthian order, supporting a gallery that communicates with the apartments on the upper floor. Among other treasures of art, this museum will contain the celebrated Solly collection of paintings. Those, who are desirous of obtaining more exact information respecting this beautiful structure, are referred to Schinkel's work, a publication deserving the attention of every lover of architec

ture.

Among the numerous churches, that belonging to the Roman Catholics is worth visiting. The university, which is opposite to the opera house, is on a large scale, and of a triangular form. It is adorned with six statues on the