The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-24

more touching than death itself OF the multitude
who saw the King Of Prussia depart from Berlin, proba
bly, not thousand entertained the expectation of
seeing him re.ascend the throne Of his fathers.
Frederick William Nv. of Prussia, dead, but hs
has parsed from the circle OF regnng soveregns with
prospect Of entering again. His lot is remarkable and
unusual Even whilst living, death has far done it's
work in his that his character and his actions have
passed into the domain Of history Under these crcum
stances we have thought that readers would be pleased
to have brief but trustworthy sketch of his reign and
of his character both and monarch, placed be-
fore them
Frederick William w. born the 18th day of Octo
ber 1885, and consequently he has entered into his sixty
fourth year He the eldest of Frederick William
III and of his celebrated Queen, Louisa OF Mecklnburgh
Strelitz. His youth passed in uoublous times Be-
fore he had reached his twelfth year Prussia pros
rate beneath the proud foot of Napoleon and his athe
little better than vassa of France In his fifteenth yea.
his beautiful public spirited mother died OF broken
heart occasoncd by the cruel and insulting conduct OF
Bonaparte.
But brighter and better days before Prussia The
disastrous campaign Russia in 1872, and the scarcely
less fatal one in Germany in lSl3 ending with the battle
Iepsic forever relieved that country from the chains of
the despo OF France restored both king and the
country to independence, prosperity and happiness.
The education of Frederick William w. was prosecuted
in his fathers palace, and under able instructors, He
not permitted-a tact which he afterwards
gretted--to frequent the university many Of the
ing this 10 be consistent with the dignity OF his
birth and expectations. But that he well instructed
in his youth, and afterwards cherished very
dent desire for knowledge, is most certain During the
quarter of century which elapsed between his twentieth
year and his accession the throne his constant and most
intimate friends either literary or well instructed
men Much of his time was devoted to study and with
much that the celebrated ron Won Humboldt
expressed to the writer in 1S41 the ,non that he
of the best informed moDarchs In EUROPE and added
that che in many respects a self-ed caed prncen
On the 10th day OF November, 1923, ederick William
~. married by proxy, and on the 10Th day of the
month"; in person. to the Princess Elizabeth Louisa,
daughter Of Maxmian Joseph the late King OF Bavaria
That excellent lady was born on the 18th o November,
1901 and Is now fifty seven years old. She hand
some woman at her marriage and for many years after
wards, and even retains many traces Of her former
beauty. From her youth she has been somewhat lame,
but this defect has but slightly impeded her graceful
movements. She was Roman Catholic at the time Of
her marriage but renounced the peculiar doctrines OF the
church OF her fathers and openly prossed the Protestant
faith. This event gave great satisfaction 10 the good old
King who very decided Protestant, and had him
self abored zeaousy for the conversion Of his daughter
inaw.
Few queens in Europe have been so much beloved rs
the present Queen OF Prussia Beautiful, accomplished,
amabe and yet firm and decided she has been just such
a wife and constant counsellor her open hearted i'm
petuous and imprudent consort needed. Nor has she
failed TO be properly appreciated by him-his "chere
Elise he had been in the habit OF calling her in the
endeared little home circle Of the palace.
On the 9TH day Of June 1910, Frederick William w.
ascended the throne Of his fathers. The deep
~ touching Having stood by the bedside Of his father
till death had done its work he turned away receive
the OF his brothers officers
present, and then showed himself the balcony of the
palace where, bathed in tears, he stood for moment 10
hear the multitude assembled In front of it shou "God
the King From this spot he hastencd 10 his pri
vate library and wrote To his most intimate religious
friend Chevaer Bunsen, who then Prussian Ambas
sador IN Switzerland TO this effect -ssIy dear Bunsen
the King has just died, and am about TO ascend the
throne pray for me, Oh pray for me- On the 10th Of
SEPTEMBER he received the oath OF allegiance Of the great
nconares al Koengsburg and ON the 18th of October
the oath Of those at Berlin.
The reign OF Frederick William ~ has been in the main
prosperous one During the eure period PRUSSIA has
been involved in foreign and with the exception
OF some very sad popular tumults in lS4s, which were,
however chiefly confined TO the capital, there has been
great internal tranquility. And never, since the
foundation OF the monarchy, now one hundred
and nifty six years ago has that country enjoyed
greater material prosperity The barge increase of steam
boats on is rivers and along ,s coasts the opening up Of
railways in all directions from Berlin, the steady improve
ment in ITS agriculture, the uninterrupted growth Of s
manufacture and the expansion " its commerce and os
IT. interior trade all demonstrate that lis advance In
tera interests has been great Nor have the interests Of
education, literature and science failed to Keep pace with
the material OF Prussia The government has
the whole been wisely and faithfully administered In
from the highest TO the lowest been more intelligent,
prompt, civil and obging. They uncommoniy well
educated body Of men There y need most certainly Of
great deal more civil and religious liberty, well free
dom of the press and Of trade But, taking the govern
ment of Prussia as isa monarchy removed by few
constitutional provisions from absolute despots- has
been well administered under the reign OF Frederick
William Nv. any other government In Europe, let the
form Of that government be what may And never has
more happy in lis composition.
In the month of April, isa7, Frederick william " gave
70 his people ms long rfomi,ed-sha certainly ardent,
the wishes of the people that excited almost universal
disappointment Cheyacr Bunsen, who then the
Prusan ambassador at the Court of 81 James had ~ the
kings request prepared the outline Of consultation after
the model Of that OF England But the King thought that
ny Ssrsors S.r.,rsa 70 sys
them something that no better Than the Magma Chafa
which King John gave 10 The Rarons Of England
o the people d Ger many In le49 swept
the Kings constitution away And although the constta-
on sncn = assembly oonsoxsd MED @ ,Ss 70: % p
70 the cosp ded which the government made with the
help Of old General wrange and his troops yet tbe King
second consultation, which, though fAr from being what
ought 10 be- n incomperabiy better than the rst and
better.
Few monarchs have ever lived more pleasant and n
mar terms with those Immediately around them have
been accessible and kind 10 Strangers, than tree
rick William ~. Genial In his nature, witty, impueive,
speaking English and French Aimoet nuen,y hh
tive German ,onsSs be w,s the life life o. shs c.npsny ,s.,
quarters with being ban rsnnk, and cvcn drunkNd.
But these base and ssndrous serlcus have been com
petey refuted by the testimony Of those who were bes
qualified to speak the subject The writer Of this
sketch has often him. In various circumstances, dur
ing the last twenty years and be does not hesitate %
he Incorporate man, or anything approaching 70
H. man Of ardent temperament, of generous impulses
he has many aud devoted friends and yet
his lmpetuosity and his rashness, united 10 certain
amount Of obs'inacy IN some things have combined 10
make him not few enemies.
such q man was Frederick william ", the sixth
monarch Of Prussia, when in the full possession Of the
faculties o his mind. Impartial history viii sho~ In due
time that his reign has been Of the most prosperous
which that country has enjoyed. will probably, de
monstrae that his determination 10 avoid plunrng hs
kingdom into the late in the Eastern side Of Europe
wise, Notwithstanding The unmeasnrcd abuse and sf
feced couiempt with which English newspapers sssaed
him.
THE PRINCE REGEST or PRUSSIA.
Having the preceding article spoken Of The character
and reign Of Frederick william ~, nov wish 10 d.
rect the attention Of readers 10 tho character and
probable policy Of his brother whom he has appointed
regent and whom the constitution Of 1850, in its afy
sixth article, dcsienates the person upon whom this
very responsible and dnicuit ofhce certain
ungencies, should dcvolve
Frederick william Tous, Prince of Prussia, born
the 22d day Of March 1897 and in his sixty second
year HIS youth passed very much like that Of hi
elder brother the kinghat s beneath the palace roof
His studies conducted by private professors. Man
hc sboxcd fondnara military