The union Democrat., 1870-10-08
QUEEN AUGUSTA.


The war in Europe which has ruired one
Empress and rendered her an exile and q
wsnderer. viii probably result in the eleva.
ton Of smother royal lady to the Imperial dig.
nifty. For long years Queen Augusta, wife
of the King Of Prussia. has entertained the
ambition of becor,ing Empress of Germany.
She was impressed with this idea lang before
she reached the throne, and nodoubtimpress-
ed her ideas upon the mind Of her husband.
| Queen Augusta is known BY her most in
innate associates TO be most ambitious wo-
man. She is not wanting in any element Of
true womanhood. Her devotion as wife
and mother are appreciated By her family.
while her deeds Of Kindness and charity rem.
der her deservedly beloved and popular. Blu,
with these more sterling Municipalities she
combines large knowledge of men and poll
tics and takes deep interest in all that re-
lates to literature and art. Her Majesty is q
daughter Of the famous Duke who was the
munifcent friend and patron OF Goethe, and
in her youth she came much in contact with
| that illustrious author. and her character in
no slight degree was influenced if not model
ed hv him. With these antecedents, and
qualifications. she could hardly fail to take n
dcep interest in the great events of which her
court has been for so many years the center.
In taste. cultivation and intellect, she Is
vastly superior 10 her husband, who is sim
ply large. bluff. honest. hearty, self-willed,
and somewhat dull gentleman. The Queen
has too much good sense to ever ohtrude in
State affairs. but there can be no doubt that
her quiet, unseen irhnence has frequently
turned the scale in favor of Bsmarck's large
hrained policy, which tho obstinate, timid
King was INCLINED to hold back.
ooaodoto ;llustrat;D~ TTar Ma,askr's ~
nacitv for politics is not generally known
In 1880, after the Berlin insurrection
the insanity of the old King Of Prussia
brother to his present Majesty, became more
marked, and led to numherless court intri-
CUES. The dominant faction. of course. Mt
tempted to make light of the mala6y, their
object being to govern in the Kings nnme
1t WIS denied that he was insane. and at
worst his malady did not incspacitate him for
business. The difficulty was increased by
the unwillingness of the physicians to pro-
nounce any definite opinion. 1t was under
these circumstances tina. Her Majesty. then
Crown Princess invited DR. Roerker. the mos
distinguished physician and philosopher in
Berlin. to the palace. She received him en-
tirelv in friendly and not in professional
capacity. She led the conversation on gem
eral subjects Of art, aud at length glided mn
turally to The absorbing question of the King
illness. The Princess expressed the GRIEF of
the family. and asked, was there really any
hope of His Maiesty's complete restoration to
mental ard physical health. The physician.
thrown of his guard, replied that there was
mot the sliehtes: hope"
The Princess instantly arose, pushed open
some folding doors of a room, in which were
seated members IF the Council. legislators
members Of the roval family and the high
officers Of State. With a commanding voice
she ordered Professor Rocker to repeat HE
statements respecting the condition Of the
Kings health. lie had no alternative but
to obey. and in n few days. her husband was
declared Regent with full authority. He
retained his position until he assumed the
title If King on the occasion Of her brothers
death. which occurred few years afterward.
The large ambitious character of Queen
Augusta, have stated, exercised in
Guence upon tho King. So shrewd an nh
server as Bismarck has always recognized
this feminine quality favorable text in
selecting male diplomatic agents. On one
occasion he was in doubt about the fitness Of
a certain appointment he desired to make.
until he was informed that the wife Of the
candidate was a peculiarly ambitious lady.
This turned the scale. and the appointment
was duly effected. -Ne,c York Free Press