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20
ENVIRONS OF KIEL.
Chap. I.
one plan, a quadrangle round a large court. You enter
by a porte-cochere: in front stands the schloss, a large
substantial edifice, with a huge portico supported by
Ionic or Corinthian columns, flanked by two enormous
buildings with high-pitched roofs, each of the
dimensions of the abbey church of Malvern. These last
serve to harbour the cattle in the winter season, to
stable the horses, and to house the carts and farming
implements; the upper story a granary for corn, fodder,
and other agricultural produce. The fourth side of the
quadrangle, that by which you enter, lodges the farm
servants and labourers. In the centre of the court is a large
green, surrounded by cut limes, on which a round place
is paved with stones allotted to the watch-dog and his
kennel; no litter offends the eye, and the stupendous size
of the buildings gives a dignity and imposing appearance,
which removes any idea of outhouse or farmyard. We
met the milk-carts laden with milk, the steaming produce
of the 480 cows. The labourers were returning from
their work. I cannot say much for the tidiness of their
appearance, especially that of the women: they possess
unfortunately no national costume, and I have always
remarked, where “ cotonades ” come in, cleanliness goes
out.
The name of Rantzau stands high in this Holstein
duchy, and has ever played a prominent part in its
country’s history. Of this lineage was the famed John
Rantzau, who commanded the troops of the first Frederic
against the peasants in Skipper Clemens’ days. “ Il
est fidele au roi comme un Rantzau,” ran the proverb;
but that very loyalty led a branch of this illustrious
house, in later days, to join the cabal against our
English princess, Queen Caroline Matilda. He was a gallant
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