The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-11
EMPEROR WILLIAM AT HOME.
Interesting Gossip About His Domestic Life
and Personal characteristics.


and even the all-darine newspaper reporter does
not venture within its forbidden presincts. Apart
from the accounts of official receptions, which
are invariably confined to a simple narrative of
facts 10 details Of the palace life given to the
public The distinguished personages who enjoy
the privilege of approaching the person of the
Emperor are silent when questioned concerning
the details of his everyday life But the mon
archical traditions which place the person of the
sovereign beyond the sphere of newspaper chit
chat and popular gossip are in this case less
powerful than the deep respect and veneration
the German people entertain toward their EN-
peror When his Majesty is indsposed, for
instance, the news is given in the fewest words
and>without speculation or comment.
The journals maintain an extreme reserve con-
corning everything relating TO the imperial fam
lily; even if what are elsewhere called royal in
discretons" were tolerated, the public would take
no pleasure in discussing them; it would showa
want of respect toward the dynasty, and espe-
cialy toward the person of the sovereign Ac
cording as Emperor William grows older this
Difference on the part Of his subjects seems to
increase They rejoice when he is in good
ASe@1sI, ou0 pail VI Sd0uCSc SOOtuo W l0AA osSA
the entire city when he is i'll or indisposed. The
old monarch lives In the love and affection Of his
people.
The apartments of the Emperor occupy the
first floor of the left wing of the palace, which
is SO limited in space that all the Off.
cial fetes must be held in the old
chateau. These apartments comprise three cham
bers-the imperial cabinet, the sleeping cham
Der and the reception-room. The cabinet.
office. is situated at the angle of the palace;
k~Ix1 - -1oE1 IS
windows the Emperor places himself during the
few idle moments he snatches from his busy
days work. Every German arriving in Berlin
makes long stand beneath this window in the
hope of seeing his sovereign The Emperor APP
pears before it just often enough to crafty
public curiosity. AS soon as his Majesty APP
pears every head is uncovered, and the two
policemen who march mp and down, night and
day. beneath that window, do not take the least
trouble to keep the throng reminded; the respect
inspired by the venerable monarch is sufficient
to prevent all embarrassing demonstrations.
Two years ago the Emperor was accustomed to
rise every morning at Z o'clock. sharp, winter
and summer, but latterly his physicians impera-
lively required him to remain in bed till clock
The old soldier capitulated. but not without
vehement remonstrance, to this demand of ad-
vancing years. Having now reached the limit
of human life, so to speak. he does not wish to
admit that he Is growing older. He becomes
irritable if anyone audes to his increasing
weakness and he brightens into smiles when he
is complimented on his vigor and healthful ap
pearance. When at the last autumn manoeuvres
an old comrade of the Iron Cross. of the cam
paign of 1913, was descending from his carriage
to pay homage to him, his Majesty cried out
with unconscious nalvete, as he fastened towards
him: Stay where you are. you are an old man.
and it is my place to come to you" And as he
spoke he hurried toward his comrade Of three
quarters OF century before, tottering run.
and grasped him by the hand. The Emperor,
owing to this determination not to yield to the
Entertainments of old age, could never be per-
suaded to use the elevator that connects his
apartments with those of the Empress, which
are on the floor below; and as the little stairway
s winding and abrupt he never descends but
when it is absolutely necessary; it is the En-
press who must always come to him. generally
by the elevator but occasionally by the stairway
Tho Emperor's bedroom is of the plainest
kind, devoid of every vestge of luxury. Direct
ly over his bed is a large portrait in mahogany
of his mother, Queen Louise, who. after the dis
astrous battle of Jena, had to humbly implore
the clemency of the conquerer. The constant
view of this portrait. recalling to his mind the
disasters of his country and the humilations
suffered by his mother, contributed, perhaps, to
the terrible war of l870-71
When the Emperor rings the valet de chambre
enters to aid his Majesty in making his toilet.
The toilet is simple. His Majesty detests new
clothes, as he feels himself so much more at
home in his old ones; worn out uniform serves
him as robe de chambers; pair of loose old
hours, and when he is ready to 60
to his working cabinet he finds awaiting
him his faithful Engel, the doyen of
servants, who pours out bowl of steaming tea
This valet de chambre is septuagenarian and
by no means so robust as his master. who treats
him with the easiest familiarity, chats with him
footing of perfect equality. and asks every
morning after his health in a most ELUSIVE and
off handed way. One morning. little more
than year ago. Engel respectfully represented
to his Majesty his desire to retire from his du-
ties owing to increasing infrmity everybody as
he remarked had not the iron constitution of his
Majesty, and as for himself he had need of ease
and repose. Whereupon his Majesty burst into
a loud laugh and exclaimed: ''Why Engel you
and are the only two men know of who have
time to take any repose" And that ended
the matter.
The Emperor's cabinet is so taken ND with
furniture. art objects, brica brac broideries ex.
ecuted by members of the imperial family, of
presents sent from all parts of the country, es-
pecally on fete days, that one can scarce pick
his steps through it. A big mass Of papers and
documents are always lying on the Emperor's
desks. His Majesty reads all Of them before
affixing his signature, and often annotates,
when there is space, with one of those large,
dull lead-pencils used by carpenters for marking
boards. He writes with difficulty. as one
of his fingers is little stiff, the result of a
wound received many years ago when hunting.
After this first hour of comparative rest. His
Majesty's real days work begins. He completes
his toilet, and like a true Soldier-which he has
always been and will be to the end-confers
with the chief of his military cabinet and then
with his Ministers, who enter his study one at
time. For other audiences he passes into
simply furnished salon, the few ornaments and
broderies of which have been made by the
members Of the imperial family. The Emperor
has a pronounced liking for the blue bottle, the
simple flower of the corn-felds. In the choice
of ornaments this weakness of his Majesty is
never forgotten. The bluebottle forms the
basis of all the embroidered bouquets
Emperor William does not smoke or take snuff
Neither does he wear spectacles When reading
writing he uses an eye-glass although he does
not wish to admit that his sight is growing weak
His Majesty sleeps as soundly as the healthest
of youths, and never takes rest during the
course Of the day. He has been caught nodding,
however, on few occasions within the past year
or two when the receptions were too protracted.
He always receives standing up in his salon, af.
ter having changed his old uniform for q more