The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-20
THE PRUssIAN HEADQUARTERS.


German correspondent in the Prussiau
headquarters at Versailles sends the following
interesting account of royal and high military
life there to the GGrtenldu6o, from which we
translate-
THE KING OF PRUSSIA.
The King lives in the Prefecture, in the
Avenue de Paris, living in the same simple
manner to which he has always been accus-
toned in Berlin, and yet showing an aston
ishing activity, notwithstanding he has
reached his seventy-third year. He gets up
at o'clock every morning. His couch con-
ssts of low camp bed with only one mat
trass, which he always takes with him.
He shaves himself and is waited upon
only by his two Wallets de chamOre
Engel and Krause, both old soldiers, who
have seen military service, as shown
by the decorations they wear. While the
King is dressing, in which operation
he is assisted by his two Wallets and a garde-
robier, he speak with no one. In the house
he wears simply the usual military service
suit; knowing no rest, and keeping on his
solderly dress, from head to foot during the
whole day, and late into the night. He wears
the order of the Iron Cross, the Russian order
of st. George, fourth class, both of which
decorations he earned in the year 1913, at
Bar-sur-Aube, and the order pour Je D1erjte,
thoughnot the grand cross which latter he only
he would show especial attentions.
King William enters his work room early,
when a servant brings in frugal breakfast,
while the writing desk is heaped up with
papers, letters, dispatches, requiring the
royal attention. In Berlin the King always
takes his coffee alone; in Versailles only
Privy Councillor Schneider, well-known
military author and historian, has entrance.
Schneider makes his appearance every morn
ing punctually at seven; and in the perform
ance of his functions of reader and librarian
to the King, reads over to the breakfasting
monarch the kilograms that have arrived dur
ing the night, as well as reporting the tone
of the European press, besides placing before
his Majesty the latest literary productions
from which, as we'll as from important arti-
cles from the journals, he reads aloud.
After coffee the King opens the letters,
reads the dispatches, making notes at the
sides as to their disposition, and places them
properly in the various departments to which
they belong: for instance, the civil cabinet,
the military cabinet, the ministry of state,
the ministry of war, the ministry of justice,
the departments for aid aud grace. The lat
ter departments, very delicate ones by the
way, are entrusted to Privy Councillor and
Landwehr Major Bork, gentleman who has
served the King for many years. AS in Ber-
lin, King William can always spare quarter
of an hour from his more pressing business
iOI tDiS lduOr VI iON0 ana mercy. AIlef
Privy Councillor Bork, the two court mar
shals, Puckler and Perponcher, are admitted
In order to receive the commands for the day,
IN respect to driving out, riding, invitations,
visits, audiences, the reception of deputa-
tions, etc. After this, the King usually re-
ceives his genersls-Moltke, Room, Boyen,
Podbleiski, and Trenkow.
Punctuany at nine the adjutant-maior on
duty for the day announces himself. Through
all .Jc ha
must accompany the King wherever he goes
during the day, and has to keep the journal
of the royal labors performed during the
day. The King then receives the reports
from the civil and the militaryflcabinets, or
that of Count Won Bismarck, a task usually
taking up in all about three hours for COM
pletion. In the meantime announcements are
received, audiences granted, dispatches re-
ceivedand the same referred TO the proper Off
cials; and the marching Of the troops before
the prefecture for the royal inspection con-
stantly interrupts the usual daily routine.
After the reports have been received from the
various departments the monarch makes or
receives princely visits, goes into the hos
pital, or looks at the curosities and things of
note in the town, being accompanied on
these visits by single adjutant. On excur-
sions IN the neighborhood, however, he is
accompanied by the staff guard. This per-
sonal courage of the King, together with his
knightly appearance, has had a remarkably
good effect upon the people of Versailles, who
greatly admire both.
The King lives very temporarily. Between
the receptions of the morning he usually par
takes of cold viands, and at four goes to din
ner, which is a very simple and almost citizen
like affair. Only one sort of wine is brought
upon the table; champagne is never seen
there except on the occasion of the birthday
of a member of the royal family or princely
parsonage. Only once during the whole cam
paign was champagne brought upon the royal
table, and that was upon the evening of the
1st OF September, after the battle of Sedan.
After about half an hours conversation after
dinner, the King withdraws to his own room
opens and reads the letters and dispatches
that have arrived, and receives persons de-
manding favOrs or grace. 1t is a noteworthy
fact that the King never sleeps in the after
noon. From dinner till tea time the old mon
arch employs his time in finishing up the odd
work of the day, the reading of the Sponer
ZestuRg or important newspaper articles, as
well as correspondence with his family, and
the despatch of kilograms.
Tea time comes at 8, when in the society
OF invited persons pleasant conversation
flows freely. After this meal is finished
illustrated books are looked through, import
ant newspaper information read aloud, and
events and personages of the day are freely
discussed. The King does not smoke, as a
rule, but in large companies of gentlemen
does So About IL he withdraws to his room
and works up to about one. All the guests
invited to dinner and tea are chosen by the
King himself. On days of battle the King
rides out early and occupies place previ-
: