Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/893

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BERLIN.
783
BERLIN.

perial resitlenoe. It contains GOO rooms, of which the Old Tlirone-Rooni, with its frorfieous rococo decoration, the White Hall, the Palace Chapel adorned with frescoes, on a gold gronnd, and the Picture Gallery are the most beautiful. Opposite the palace is the Old Jluseum, a noble structure in Greek style, erected by Schinkel in 1824-28; in the rear and connected with it is the New Museum, in Renaissance style, built by Stiller in 1843-5,5. Next to this rises the Na- tional Gallery in the form of a Corinthian tem- ple. The arsenal, a square structure in late Italian Renaissance, built in 1095-1700, is re- markable for the fine sculptures adorning its exterior, notably the famous heads of Dying Warriors, executed by Schliiter. In its vicinity are situated the Konigswache (Royal Guard- house), in the form of a Roman castnim, and the Academy of Architecture, both by Schinkel, the latter one of his most original creations. In its skillful blending of medi;eval structural forms with Greek details, it makes a happy com- bination, which may also be observed in the Schauspielhans (Royal Theatre) by the same architect. In the centre of the city the imposing Rathaus (City Hall) attracts attention, and among other structures of more recent date may be mentioned the Kxchange, the Deutsche Reichsbank in Renaissance, with fine color effects due to the judicious combination of sandstone and brick; the handsomely adorned Anhalt Railway Station; and the new Reichstags-Gebiiude, so far the foremost architectural achievement in Berlin.

The city is adorned throughout with numerous statues of military heroes, the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, the master creation of Rauch, being the most remarkable. Next in importance is that of the Great Elector, an im- pressive work by Schliiter, and among more recent wolks are the equestrian statue of Fred- erick William III., by Wolff, and the imposing national monuments to Emperor William 1. and to Prince Bismarck. A.mong the other public monuments the Coluiun of Victory on the Kiinigs Platz, commemorating the great victories in the campaigns of 1806 and 1870-71, is the most conspicuous. On the Schlossbriicke (pal- ace-bridge), the handsomest of the 50 bridges in Berlin, the eight marble groups of heroic size, illustrative of a warrior's life, are worthy of no- tice; so are the five statues of Prussian generals, by Rauch, adorning the square before the Opera House, and the Luther Monument on the Neue Markt. Of art treasures the Old iluseum contains besides the Gallery of Antiquities, inchiding the Pergamenian Sculptures, an almost unequaled collection of sculptures of the Christian epoch, while its picture gallery is remarkable for its representative character, containing admirable specimens of almost every epoch and school of painting; the Cabinet of Coins is also remarkably varied and complete. In the New Museum there is a comprehensive and valuable collection of casts; of importance also are the Egyptian Museum in this building, scarcely equaled by any similar collection, the. Cabinet of Engravings, and the Antiquariimi. The upper wail of the superb staircase, which occupies the centre of the building, is adorned with the famous six mural paintings by Kaulbaoh, representing the chief episodes in the history of mankind. The National Gallery contains over 700 paintings and more than 100 sculptures by modern German artists. Other collections of interest are found in the Ethnological and Art Industrial Museums; in the Ravcne Picture Gal- lery, containing a series of choice works by modern French and German masters, and in the Hohenzollern Museum.

The educational institutions of Berlin are , numerous and of a high order. Among the higher institutions of learning, in addition to the University of Berlin (see article), are the Aciidemy of Architecture, with nearly 2000 students and over .300 teachers, the Royal Academy of Mining Engineering, the Military Academy, the Artillery and Engineering School, the Royal School of Agriculture, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Veterinary School, Royal School of Music, School of Oriental Languages, etc.

Industry and Commerce. Of first importance are the cloth-printing and dyeing establishments, the iron and steel industry, and the manufacture of clothing, especially women's cloaks. In addi- tion to these, railway cars and wagons, sewing- machines, dynamos and all kinds of electrical ap- paratus, gold, silver, and bronze wares, pianos, musical instruments, toys, carpets, porcelain and earthen ware, beer, and nearly every article of domestic and industrial use are produced in Ber- lin's busy factories. In 1888 the capital stock of all companies doing business in Berlin was 655 million marks; in 1897 it was nearly 1100 mil- lion, with an output of nearly double that amount. 'l"he principal industries were building (05,000,- 000 marks); electrical (07,000,000 marks); brewing (54,000,000 marks); machinery and metals (70,000,000 marks). There were nearly 5000 factories of all kinds in 180", employing 175,000 persons. The geographical position of Berlin makes it the natural emporium fur the agricultural products coming from East Prussia, Austria, and Russia. It is the centre of the North German railway system, twelve railway lines passing through the city. The chief articles of commerce are grain, cattle, wool, timber, and coal. Nearly 35,000 freight steamers enter the city annually by way of the Spree, bringing more than 5,000,000 tons'of all kinds of merchandise.

Government and Administration. In the administrative system of Berlin, the municipal council, composed of 126 members, is elected for a term of six years; to insure continuity and stability in tho council, one-third of its seats are vacated and filled every two years. The council elects the mayor (burgomaster) and his immediate advisers, and is in general the source of governmental authority for the municipality except in those branches of administration which are under the direct control of the National Government. (For further details see Prussia, Local Gorrrnment.) The police organization is under the control of the Minister of the Interior, and is subdivided into six departments, as follows: General police; factory inspection; building inspection; criminal police; passport and labor bureau: market and mounted police. The total force amounts to 4200 men, or about 25 men to each 10.000 inhabitants, which constitutes a favorable comparison with 28 in Paris, 24 in London, and 20 in New York, to the same number of inhabitants.

The steady growth of the city and the increasing number of functions performed by the munici-