The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-25
EMPEROR WILLIAMS DEPARTURE.
Presto! Immediate Change lin
the Aspect of the Place.
Princes, Dukes and Retainers Follow the
Imperial Parsonage.
FAREWELL FOR TIE SEASON.

Ono Of the most faithful visitors, one who returns
to Ems every season, is Prince George OF Prussia,
grand nephew TO the Emperor. Here, as at Berlin,
he is OF the most popular members of the i'm
perlal family. Prince George may be seen on the
promenade morning and evening" in plain dress,
unattended, mixing freely aud without reserve
among the crowd. There he salutes an old ae-
quaintance here he chats gayly with comparative
stranger. or he PAGES the avenues At the side of
and the conversation never flags.
There are probably few persons who possess
more extraordinary powers Of conversation than
the Prince, and fewer still endowed with so
fsultless and retentive q memory or who
are so well read, not only in German,
put In French English and Italian ltera-
ture. Speaking Of any poet, no matter which,
the Prince is certain to know his works and able to
quote therefrom He is never at loss for a word,
and understands how to enter into an argument
with convincing eloquence without losing point
in gracious wit or natural amiabity. These quail
ties have caused him to be general favorite, not
only In Court circles but in all spheres OF Berlin
society.
A POET-PRINCE.
Prince George stands alone among the Prussian
princes in another point He has freed himself
from the letters Of etiquette he does not move
exclusively in circles but he considers people
of talent. genius and education as his equals in
point Of birth. He is often in society where
he Is not exclusively surrounded by titled per-
sonages. This is perhaps q natural consequence
OF the fact that Prince George himself is poet; he
has written several dramas and tragedies which
for some years have been regular playing pieces on
the German stage. HIS tragedy Of "Phadra" is
by no means All emulation of Racine, but const-
tutes thoroughly independent poem 1t is work
OF great power, full of deep anu intense passion
written in q lofty style and in melodious verse.
In the history Of German dramatic literature it
was a grand event when "Ph@dra," by Conrad
1.-THE de plume Of the princely author). under
went the first representation on the Berlin stage.
meet the enemy otherwise than with the sword in
hand; for it must be remarked that the public Is
ever an enemy to the maiden production OF an
author, even If the author be prince; or, per-
haps, the public is more inimical because he is a
prince. This first representation proved an ex-
ceedingly interesting evening. Not place was
vacant in the house. All our critics had put in an
appearance. armed to the teeth with prejudices
against the prince-author, and determined to be
impartial, yet not to spare him whenever the
Offa Roth tho IorO
minor State boxes were occupied by the royal
family, and the general circle was filled by an in
terested public
FIRST VICTORY.
But Prince George won the battle. "Phgdra,"
having gained the first victory the Berlin stage
has since then been received with marked distinc-
ton in nearly every German city. Shortly after
ward the Prince brought out another work, 1.-THE
Marquise de Brinvilers;" but its success has not
been so universal as that accorded to ''Ph9dra."
The fault rests with the hard and unsympathetc
subject which it treats yet there is no lack Of
sation and many scenes Of high dramatic effect
The Prince Is among the special favorites of his
uncle the emperor. Both uncle and nephew,
alike in height and stature, are seen walking side
by side on the promenade, followed at Q respectful
distance BY an ever anxious public, eager to i'm
print its memory with every movement of the
imperial visitors. At the table dhoe the pivot of
conversation is, "To whom has the Emperor
spoken to-day on the public promenade ~ or,
"who accompanied Prince George this morning ?"
These are the main topics which lead to an ami
mated conversation among the otherwise bored
guests.
FRIGHTFULLY DULL.
To be honest, everyone confesses that it il really
frightfully dull here. Nothing Is done to attract
strangers. When the weather is unpropitous there
are absolutely no resources beyond the deserted
looms and where gambling in former years created
animated scenes q fit Of melancholy steals over
you; while when the sun shines we climb. ride
over, walk through the beautiful valley Of the
Lain; but there is nothing beyond the Lain Val
ley and the task being accomplished, there is the
question whether you must go through the same
again. To say the least this Is dull work. No one
at Ems seems to care for social life There are
neither balls nor concerts. The only spot where
people assemble is on the square," and even there
each party keeps aoof from another.
WORSE AFTER THE IMPERIAL ABREIsR.
"And how much worse will It be when the En-
peror has gone" said In my immediate
neighborhood one of the ladies who had
evidently come to Ems to show or a number Of
elegant dresses The lady expressed the words
with deep sigh, and was promptly answered by
an energetic friend, ooh, simply abomnablern
| a." continued the lady, Fought to know as
live at Ems; however, thank Goo, not during the
winteri On this Curplatz you can study life, my
dear. The physiognomy Of the place changes with
every month. and during the season nothing
| amused me more than to watch these chsnges.r