A Beautiful City
Copenhagen is a large city for the little kingdom of Denmark.
It possesses an excellent harbor, and being situated on the narrow
straits connecting the Baltic with an arm of the North Sea, it is on
the highway through which passes much of the commerce of Sweden,
Germany, and Russia. It is the residence of the king, and the head-
quarters of the Danish army. In the midst of the city, and surrounded
on all sides by massive stone blocks, are wide, open spaces containing
many acres, which are reserved as training-grounds for soldiers. In
the early morning we hear the measured tread of large companies of
soldiers marching along the streets, and wherever we go on the streets
we see companies of tall, athletic young men dressed in the light,
jaunty uniform of the king’s guards. The king of Denmark is allied
with some of the most powerful nations of Europe. While we were in
Copenhagen, he was receiving a visit from his son-in-law, the czar of
Russia. One of his daughters is wife of the prince of Wales; another is
married to the duke of Cumberland. The crown prince is married to a
Swedish princess; another son has married a French princess; while
one of his sons is the king of Greece.
There is probably no city of its size which has so many beautiful
parks, artificial lakes, and pleasant avenues. At a little distance from
our stopping-place is an artificial lake which is two miles in length. The
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water is clear as crystal, and upon its glassy surface many beautiful
white swans were floating gracefully. It is crossed by pretty foot
bridges, while a broad street runs all around it, and rows of chestnut-
trees beautify its borders. In Copenhagen the children have not been
forgotten. In different parts of the city there are small inclosures of
three or four acres with groves of shade-trees, which are kept solely
for play-grounds. No vehicles are allowed to pass through them, and
the children can here enjoy their sports in safety.
One day we rode out to a place of resort at the sea-shore, about ten
miles from the city. As we look across the strait, here about sixteen
miles wide, the hills of Sweden are visible in the distance. The water is
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