New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-08
LARGE MINDED PRINCESS.
ALICE OF ENGLAND AND HER FRIEND STRAUSS
From Tine LONDON Standard.

From the Londoh Standard
At the beginning of 1870, soon after his return
from the East, her husband her daughter nictoia
and the little fell i'll of scarlet fever lhe wife
and mother deyOting herself entirely to the Nursing
of her beloved ones, enjoyed during this time OF
complete seclusOn from the world the enllvenlng
and constant intercourse of David Friedrich Strauss
OF this intercourse the editor makes the following
highly interesting observations, now published Tor
the first time:
The acquaintance with this remarkable man. who spent
some time during the winter Of 1855 and then from the
spring OF 1868 till the autumn OF lsl2 ID the quiet town
OF Darmsadt had formed the initiative Of the
Princess D the autumn OF 1868 not without several re-
monstrances on the part OF the lonely sclQr as nc re-
ates In that section OF his literary memoirs 0ecIeu
writings OF David Friedrich Strauss first vol which at
Sere not published but which since become avail
able and from which the following is an extract:
although entirely unaccustOmed to associate with the
great felt myself from the very commencement Wild
this lady IL were In familiar element HSr Ahu nl-
picy the brghtness OF 5er uar H
these conversations of hours duration were sources OF
the most salutary excitement ana reresent LOT Dotn
sides Very often they read aloud ana III tn1 way Se
idea originated, during their NOltare studies, tnat
Strauss should write down some notes about this CEN
alCrid to the Princess. entered the idea with
Joy besides herself and Confidential lady 0 the Court
her husband aud the English Minister the hlghy Guilt
waited Mr. MOrier who took vivid interest IN German
literature to have been present Illness, however
bafed this plan Of the Princesss she asked lae TO
to her. IT, did not fear Infection ana told me then
that she she would be so solitary for weeks To
come II would be Of special value TO her II Ielt aus
lures on Voltare was very willing 70 90 tsi me me
manuscript read In lectures during which the
author himself rewarded by the uniform lively vt
tention Of his listener"
After repeated revision. the printing of the work
began. For further details Strausss manuscript
speaks for itself:
When originally conceived the idea OF writing some
thing YOaire In the fonn OF lectures for the Princess
the further thought naturally occurred to me TO ask her
lie book, when printed to her. As my work progressed
this intention, however, fell more and more into the
entirely. The whole undertaking could only have
charm for II were to be perfectly sincereIli instead
of cOndemnng Voltare, had always been the CUSTOM
took the liberty OF taking bis part III many essehtla
points, nay even % hint that ne seemed 70 me- mere a
there not TO have gone far enough The Princess might
Justly have some scrupes about allowing DOCK OF nls
tendency to 30 dedicated To her considering tne various
restraints her position imposed upon herr to ask her per
mission 10 do SO seemed 10 me equally lacking III usce
ton. thought OF writing with my own hand the
dedication In due tme In the copy that was intended Tor
the Princess, 10 now stands printed on the secou page
the book Meanwhile, the friendly intercourse Win
the Princess and the printing OF the book continued she
one day expressed In her kind manner her sense Oh
how much she owed TO in the two years OF our inter
course for the clearing OF her Views and the strength
ening OF her principles With sincere conviction on ie
other hand laid the anlmating ana refreshing
eject on me OF nv Intercourse with her; how specially
indebted To her for the pleasure ana courage WIN
which she inspired me for my WORK on Nolttlre. ~
would nice II you would dedicate your book 10 me- re-
piled the Princess. One can easily Imagine now agree
ably surprised by such an overture. acknoTl-
edged to her reseryedy this had been my design
at rs and how had restrained myself from this out OF
regard for her. not 90 expose her to misintepeta
tons Misunderstanding, she replied, would not restrain
her prom a step which she considered right replied
that the must be well and carefully cOnsldeled
and that she ought especially first to make sure VI ths
consent OF her husband Her was tnat she had
doubt about this but at the same time she WOULD CON
fer with him the subject. Besides, continued nave
changed good deal since the lectures, inserted much
which she would have look ut rst would, therefore
bring her the proofs when the text was printed party
that might herself glance through the whole again
and partly that she might draw her husbands attention
10 the doubtful passages and then both could form then
conclusions.
- tool place and the very next day after had sem
her the proofs received them back under the date o
Jnne So with the following note from the Princess
| containing these words:
Dear nerr PROFESSIONALISM thanks return you thu