The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-11-25
The Empress of Germany at Church.

A letter from Baden Baden TO the
Springfield (Alass.) Republican says:
Three weeks ago the empress of Ger
many with retinue of servants came
to Baden, and q week later the emperor
with his suite and the whole German
court arrived from Berlin. The royal
household, the court included, occupy
the Hotel Mesmer, which the propri-
etor retains exclusively for his royal
guests during their stay This hotel is
only separated from the Conversation
haUs and the beautiful grounds where
the visitors promenade every afternoon
aud evening by very narrow street.
Persons promenading back and forth,
listening to the delightful music from
the fine band in the kiosk, or sitting
by the restaurant slipping their coffee
or drinking their beer, can at almost
any hour, if SO disposed, get glimpse
of royalty-in fact, good square look
--as it goes and returns from its rides
and walks. The empress, whose seven
tieth birthday was celebrated this week,
carries the weight of so many years
gracefully, and without giving evil
dence of such an advanced age. To see
her out every morning taking her
constitutional" and walking so briskly
that her maid and footman in livery
have to walk sharp to keep pace with
her, it is hard to realize that she has
seen threescore and ten years.
Her majesty is a devoted church
woman. During her stay at Baden she
attends regularly every Sunday the little
English church, and joins in the service
like any other stray visitor that might
enter the house of worship. She times
her arrival so as to be present Just as
services are to commence. She rides to
church in q close, handsome, not over
expensive carriage, drawn by two ele-
giant, coal-black horses with silver
mounted harness. The coachman and
footman are in livery, and the stout,
plain-looking German woman. plainly
dressed, who rides with her majesty in
side, is, suppose, QUE of the ladies in
waiting, or "maids of honor" At the
church door one of the wardens, Mr..
Oakes, of New York, stands ready to
receive her, and escorts her to her seat,
which is directly in front of the chan
eel. Last Sunday / happened to have
q seat directly behind her majesty, and,
of course, but could observe all her
movements, what she wore, etc. II
had the peculiar talent of some female
writers l would undertake to describe
her dress, but l forbear.
1t was so very PLATA and inexpensive,
and at the same time so sensible and
appropriate for church-going, that 1
know the fashionable world, which
would expect an empress dress TO be
sparkling with diamonds and covered
with the richest Of laces, would be dis
appointed. All of her dress that was
visible-her straw hat with single
ostrich plume, her silk and mantle with
modest and inexpensive trimmings
cost altogether not more than some of
the very fashionable and expensive hats
worn by some of the very fashionable
ladies in some of the very fashionable
American churches. The moment her
majesty got fairly seated she searched
in the depths of her pocket and drew
out her purse, from which she extracted
ten-mark gold piece (s2.50), and care
fully placed it ON the railing in front of
her. This was to be ready for the con-
tribution box, and she evidently ad-
hered to the old motto, Pay as you
CO." She then found her place in the
prayer book, responded throughout the
service in good English, and joined in
singing the hymns, etc. And she wore
no spectacles, either.