The Louisen Platz (or Square), Darmstadt, [Germany], 1862. The Grand Ducal Palace, the Ludwig Monument, the Hotel Traube, palace occupied by Prince and Princess Louis...the finest public square [is] the Louisen Platz. In its centre is a Doric column surmounted by a statue of Duke Louis I...Around it are a number of lofty and elegant mansions, among others the new palace, the residence of the Grand Duke, built at the commencement of the present century, but, though sufficiently commodious, not of much architectural merit. Other buildings deserving of notice are the old palace, a large pile of mixed architecture, now fitted up as a residence for the Hereditary Grand Duke...Darmstadt depends more upon the residence of the Court than upon either trade or manufactures...As the seat of Government, Darmstadt...has important civil and criminal courts and public offices, and a number of establishments, benevolent, educational, literary, and scientific. It is also provided with various sources of amusement at public places of resort, and with several fine promenades...Darmstadt, though on the whole somewhat dull as a town, has much to attract the tourist in the picturesque scenery of its environs...Its population, including the garrison, is 30,000. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.