The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-10-26
The Empress of Germany at Church.

A letter from Baden Baden to the
Springfield (Mass.) Republican says:
Three weeks ago the empress of Ger
many with retinue of servants came
to Baden, and 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
and 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, a 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 evi-
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 a 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 il
waiting, or "maids of honor" At the
church door one of the wardens, Mr.
Oakes, of New York, stands ready tC
receive her, and escorts her to her seat
which is directly in front of the chan
eel. Last Sunday I happened to have
a seat directly behind her majesty, and
of course, but could observe all hel
movements, what she wore, etc. If
had the peculiar talent of some female
writer's would undertake to describe
her dress, but 1 forbear.
1t was so very plain and inexpensive
and at the same time so sensible anC
appropriate for church going, that
know the fashionable world, whicl
would expect an empress dress to b,
sparkling with diamonds and covered
with the richest of laces, would be dis
appointed. All of her dress that wa
visible-her straw hat with a singh
ostrich plume, her silk and mantle witt
modest and inexpensive trimmings
cost altogether not more than some o
the very fashionable and expensive hat
worn by some of the very fashionabl
ladies in some of the very fashionabl
American churches. The moment he
majesty got fairly seated she searched
in the depths of her pocket and drey
out her purse, from which she extracted
ten-mark gold piece $3.50, and care
fully placed it on the railing In front O
her. This was to be ready for the con
tribution box, and she evidently al
hered to the old motto, +" Pay as yor
CO." She then found her place in th
prayer book, responded throughout ih
service in good English, and joined
singing the hymns, etc. And she wor
no speetacles, either.