The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-09

only which Im-
perial couple conversed without witnesses. The
conversation was rarely respecting politics
The usual topics were the matrimonial alliances
projected in the family. the next ball, the i'm
principal topic the exceedingly strange
state OF affairs existing between the imperial
couple and the household of the Prince Imper-
ial. and of what behavior should be adopted in
consequences. even on the most unimportant oc-
casions OF late years it has been more aud
more wildly realized that the hour
would ascend the throne The Emperor
knew that his favorite Ministers would
all undone. The Empress felt that as a widow,
her residence in Berlin, or even IN Germany,
would be embittered by the new Empress. the
English woman with her mothers ideas. whose
influence had already aienated from her the re-
spect and affection of her son, and she has for
some time past sDokep of Withdrawing TO Rome.
The Emperor and his three brothers were all
tall. we'll built military-lookng men. The Ber-
lin population. fond OF certain analytic demon
stration, once described them thus: THE
King" they said. meaning the then regninR
Frederick William. rs witty and handsome;
Prince Wiiam"-the late Emperor-.sis hand.
some, but not witty; Prince Charles is witty,
bnt not handsome and Prince Albert is neither
witty nor handsome" This appreciation was
neither absolutely correct absolutely the re-
verse; but, if William was not precisely witty;
in the sparkling sense of the word. he was en-
lowed with the royal quality of tact. and
genial courtly manner which enabled him to
say the right thing 70 the right person on every
women, fond of their society. lenient to their
fraities. He could coz verse with the same
kindly ease either with young debutantes fash
iona0le smbasSadressss, stern. wrinkied excel
lenzen, or the princssses of the stage and opera,
for whom be always had great partially.
Mesdames Luccs. Artot. Trebelli. and many
other stars we're fully appreciated by him IN
their private capacity, and st the court concerts
where they appeared, he never failed to express
chosen words He was passionately fond of the
opera, and went there often as bis other
gagements would allow. If only for
an hour; but. except on rare state occa-
sions, he left the grand central, brill
iantly-lit imperial box to the officers and ladies
of his household, and in undress uniform, with
whence he nodded affectionately to the people
he knew in the house. twisting the while his
mustache with his white e1oved MANNED fore
finger. When baby he was dropped by the
nurse from window in the palace of his
mother. Queen Louise, into flower bed, suf
ferng no other injury than the crushing of the
small finger, which. either from amputation or
whitening. never recovered, and always inter
fered with The Emperors facility and ability Of
penmanship.
When alone, that is to say. when the Empress
not at home the Emperor liked to have
guests at his private table. and then the CONVEX
saton ran very freely. often. SO it is said. with
plquant French favor about il that kept "the
table in a roar" Sometimes the Emperor ac-
cepted the invitation of one of the grand
seigneurs of the empire who in Berlin dur
ing the season. and to these dinners all those
ladies of society were invited whom the Emperor
liked best, and here the aged monarch seemed
TO revive the traditions of the gallantry of old
times. The Emperor liked the theater, particu-
larly the opera, where he could enjoy the ballet,
of which he was very fond. He always visited
the 'green-room between the acts to converse
with the artists. It has not infrequently hap
pened that the Emperor has AIKEN seat
wooden bench. and has been surrounded by pre-
mieres and coryphees, and like characters. all OF
whom laughed and chartered with their august
visitor in a way that would shock an English
lord chamberlain out of all his conservative
senses
The Emperor was. during his whole life. .
thorough soldier, and even in age thought il his
duty to share the fatigues of his beloved troops
He was always the best instructed officer in
every part of the service. and in all rules or
drill and practice, SO that he could best judge in
all military matters. The great successes which
he achieved in different mpaigus belong to
history. and the Ptussian army would never
have been able to fulfill these different tasks if
il had not been so well prepared for them. The
Emperor worked continually at the improve.
ment of the army. First, in the spring the
single companies and battalions of the guard
troops were inspected and reviewed; then. in the
brigades in their practice field days began,
and at last. in the autumn, he was present at
the grand maneuvres of several army
corps. Notwithstanding hs age. he
to six hours daily horseback.
and he rode over the fields with astonishing
drilled for this purpose by royal trainer, SO
that they became accustomed to the slightest
touch OF the reins. and thus all accidents were,
as far as possible. avoided. When he rode, in
late years. his horse, a powerful. admirably
trained charger, WAS led up to him in a trench
dug a little deeper every year. SO that he could
mount with more facility. Painful and laborious
as the ascent became, once in the saddle the
nestor of kings had still a right royal and
martial presence. Summer and winter he drove
in open carriage victoria or Russian drosky.
generally alone, wrapped In his long cloak, and
lifting his fingers to cap or helmet in recognition
of the salute of This children" as he liked to
81 all vxh and haTa fhai do ha
passed.
The Emperor neither smoked nor took snuff
He used ehort-sighted eyeglass to read and
write only. and would not own that his eyes
were weaker. He slept like boy. soundly and
peacefully. He liked joke and with his infer
iors was most considerably kind, buying him |
self little presents for each of mis- servants at
Christmas. One day he missed la6ys maid |
whom he was want to about the Empress |
leave of absence TO visit her family, as it her
birthday. The next morning, meeting her, the |
Emperor gave her tritie, adding, II am late |
with my congratulations. mein kind"
In his advanced age the Emperor still took |
the greatest interest in all political and military
ma terS, and he was anxious to learn the true |
public opinion about all important questions |
He had special secretary who read all the pa. |
pers. and who cut from them the interesting |
articles, which ne laid before the Emperor, who |
was thus enabled to keep track of the news of |
the day and 70 make up his mind" without the |
OF his Ministers. It is we'll |
known fact that the Ministers had very often q |
his views, and they sometimes were obliged to |
yield to him when he believed that the Cabinet |
measure proposed would be against the we!fare /
of the state
The Emperor was not only good man, but also |
3 pious one. He read his Bible every morning |
Of mis- life, whether in palace or in field. and he
never lay down at night without saying his |
prayers. Moreover, he fulfilled his duties
toward the Almighty in a perfectly honest and |
spirit; bat he was also enough of
philosopher TO understand the opinions and feel
ngs OF ali free-thinking men. The Emperor
Was always a Jealous Freemason, and at his
learh was the head protector of this ancient and
order, in which position he was
ported by the Crown Prince, who likewise
Draeed the duties of master Mason. and who
atterly represented his imperial father at all
great and important ceremonies of the Grand
Lodge. The Emperor a thorough Protest
ant, and he was never more offended than when
Pope Plus TX claimed the right to compel even
the Protestant Wilhelm to stand under his (the