Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-11-23
A Royal Interview and Royal En-
tertainment.


The crowned heads of Berlin and
St. Cloud have recently been hob mob
bing at Compeigne. Of course such
an event could not escape the atten-
ton of gossiping French reporters, and
detailed narratives of the doings of the
illustrious couple appear in the Paris
papers. Perhaps our readers would
like to know how such personages be-
have when they meet. A few items
from the French accounts will inform
them. On the arrival of the King of
Prussia at Compeigne he was met at
the railway station by Napoleon, who
was dressed in plain clothes and ac-
companied by two aides-de-camp. AS
the train stopped the Emperor advanc-
ed, and when the King had allghted
the two sovereigns shook hands cordi-
ally, and exchanged friendly express
ions of regard. Then they together
entered an open carriage, drawn by
four horses, and their suites filled five
others, when the royal party started
for the palace. Crowds lined the way
and cheered enthusiastically. During
this brief ride of five or ten minutes
both potentates lighted cigars, and the
correspondents affirm, "appeared to be
or terms of the most perfect cordiali-
ty." When the King alighted from
the carriage his height and corpulence
were remarked; but he looks in ruddy
health, and. although sixty four years
of age, walks erect and with firm
step. At the courtyard of the palace
a corps of Zouaves were drawn up,
and musical salute was played by the
band.
The Empress, accompanied by the
Prince Imperial, was waiting at the
foot of the grand staircase, and group
Of princes, princesses, ladies of honor,
ministers Of state, and other persona
ges, were near by. When the Prus.
sian monarch left the carriage, the EN-
press advanced few steps towards
him, but the King hastened to her
majesty, and graciously kissed her
hand. Her Majesty thus caressed the
Prince Imperial and offered his arm
to the Empress to ascend the staircase.
The Emperor gave his arm to the Prln-
cess Murat. The cortege then pro-
ceeded to the drawing room.
In the evening there was a select din
ner party, and half-past eightthere was
by torchlight, in the courtyard Of the
palace, a curee OF stag, killed by the
Imperial hands during the day. This
royal pastime will bear description.
The corpse of the stag was laid out on
a bier of honor in the courtyard of the
palace, strong troop ofimperial hunts
men in livery standing around. A pack
Of hounds, about fifty in number, were
led by three several times to the carcass
and excited to madness by the sigh:
and smell of the blood and copious ap-
plication of the whip. At length they
were let loose upon their prey, and in
a moment not a vestige of the stag was
to be seen. A pleasant sight, indeed,
for the most elegant court in Europe
Fifty hounds yelling and fighting for
the bloody carcass of a dead stag! A
Spanish bull fight must be tame compar-
ed with it. All this was on Sunday.
The next day was filled up by grand
breakfast of seventy-fve covers, shoot
ing in the reserves, promenade to the
ruins of Vienefonds and the Estangs de
St. Pierre, a dinner of eighty covers,
and performance in the theatre of the
palace, which round of royal entertain
ment had not been completed at last
accounts.