Sharp County record., 1881-03-24
The Empress Of Germany at Church.

The Empress Of Germany at Church.
Three weeks ago the Empress Of
Germany with a retinue Of servants
came to Baden, and a 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
proprietor retains exclusively for his
royal guests during their stay. This
hotel is only separated from the Con-
versatiOnhlus and the beautiful grounds
where the visitors promenade every
afternoon and evening, by a very mar
row 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 auy hour, if 50 disposed, get
4 glimpse Of rOyalty-in fact, q good
square lOok-as it goes and returns from
It's rides and walks. The Empress,
whose seventieth birthday was ceIe-
brated this week. carries the weight of
so many years gracefully and without
giving evidence OF such an advanced
age. To see her out every morning
taking her constitutional and walk
ing so briskly that her maid and foot
man in livery have to walk sharp to keep
pace with her, it is hard to realize that
she has seen three score and ten years.
Her Majesty is devoted churchwO-
man. During her stay at Baden she
attends regularly every SUNDAY the lit
tie 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 % services are to commence. She
rides to church in a close, handsome,
not oVer-eXpensive carriage, drawn
by two elegant coal-black horses, with
silver-mOunted harness. The coach
man and footman are in livery, and the
stout, plain-looking German woman,
plainly dressed, who rides with Her
Majesty inside, Is, suppose, one 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 chanceL Last Sunday |
happened to have a seat directly behind
Her Majesty. and Of course, could but
observe all her movements, what she
wore, etc. Ifd mad the peculiar talent
of some female writers | would under
take to describe her dress, but Iforbesr.
1t was so very plain and inexpensive,
and at the same time so sensible andssO
appropriate for church going, that |
know the fashionable world, which
would expect an Empress dress to he
sparkling with diamonds and covered
withahe richest of laces, would be dis
appointed. All of her dress that was
visible-her straw hat with a single
ostrich plume, Nher silk and mantle with
modest and inexpensive trimmings
cost altogether not more than some of
the very fashionable and expen-
sive hats worn by some of the
very fashionable ladies in some Of
the very fashionable American churches. 4
The moment Her Majesty got fairly
seated she searched in the depths Of
her pocket and drew out her purse,
from which she extracted a ten-mark
gold piece $3.50 and carefully placed
in on5he railing in front Of her. This
was to\ \be ready for the contribution
box, ana she evidently adhered to the
old motto, -" Pay as you 60" She then
found her place in the prayer book re-
sponded throughout services in good
English and joined in singing the
hymns, etc. And she wore no specta-
cles either.-Badsn Badsn Letter to
.Springfsld Mass. J Republican.