New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
A PRINCE AT COLLEGE.
THE DUKE OF sPARTA'S HALFYEAR AT HEI.
DELBERG

The famous University Of Heidelberg, hoary
with its 500 years of history, learning and tradi-
ton, is the most aristocratic in Germany The
catalogue is weighty with noble names. and the
alumni form almost an Amanach de GOtha.
Scarcely a semester passes by without some mem
Der of the blood royal seeking wisdom within
the walls OF Heidelberg, and the students become
accustomed to Prince Duke and Marquis But
Crown Prince, even here, is q rarity, and a
centre Of more than usual attraction. The Duke
of Sparta arrived in Heidelberg at the beginning
of last semester, in April The whole town was
agitated the day he came He had not en-
joyed his first after-dinner cigar when the heads
Of the municipal government in their dress
suits, decorations and cockades, marched TO greet
him, and bid him welcome to the city. 1t was
a political necessity, thought the city fathers,
since the Duke did not travel incognito, as was
confidently expected, and he had accordingly to
be received as the heir to a throne. An especial
day was appointed for his matrculation, at
which all the professors appeared in their gowns,
and shook the distinguished pupils hand
On the morning following his matriculation it
was rumored that the Prince would make his
first appearance in the college halls. We were
sitting in the room of the professor on intecna-
tional law Presently a tall young man entered
and took his seat behind the writer. he was
unusually well built at least six feet two inches
in height and broad in proportion. The south
ern climate had not changed the blond features
of the royal Danish family. His hair was light,
as were the side-whiskers which he wore. His
eyes were blue and almost expressionless, his
forehead was broad and his jaw heavy. Few
would have taken him for the Prince in class OF
good looking men. There was no stir whatever
among the students. The professor continued
his remarks upon extraditiOn, and the pencils
.,.5 kafn TolripU hie his
coat pocket, the Prince began taking notes at
once
The hour was soon over, and the men jostled
one another, as usual, in their mad efforts TO be
first from the room, caring little for his Royal
Hghness's presence and even less foC his toes
The subsequent days were but q repetition of the
first The Prince, like the rest, had to fight for
seat and no precedence whatever was given TO
him. Despite the early houT, he rarely missed
O lecture during the term No unusual Difference
was shown him, save first greeting by those of
us who gradually made his acquaintance He
soon became intimate with the LasO-Borussians,
the White-Cap Corps" long the social leaders
of Heidelberg, who excluded all untitled men
from their ranks save the Americans With
these young men he associated daily, taking long
walks in the romantic country surrounding the
city he honored them by wearing their cap
thus making himself one of their number lie
attended their kneipes" and sat half the night
through, drinking that liquid dear to the
German palate, Munich beer. He presided, too,
over the duels. He learned the songs as the
weeks went by, but carrolled in Indifferent
voice and took part gladly with student sport
lie was addressed it is true, Royal High
ness but with no more formality than if we
had called him Tom or Bill and he sub
mitted to all kinds Of familiarity, which con-
tinually drew out expressions of surprise
One evening in particular he challenged
as Bier junge,' subjecting him to an ordeal
which every freshman goes through" The
hilarity had already reached a high pitch, the
amber fluid had flowed in streams and universal
brotherhood was the sentiment Of the hour The
Crown Prince stood up, taking full quart of
beer in his hands, Opposite HIM stood his chal-
lengm with the same sized mug The commands
were given, and the beer began 10 pour down
the mostened threats, over the polished shirt
fronts and on the fashionable clothes Time was
called and the Prince was declared the loser in the
familiar terms of German club-rOom, which
viii not bear repetition here He did not object
however and took his humiliation" too young
to drink beer"-as calmly any other man.
In the early evening it his custom to at
tend the promenade concerts at the Pavilion
where social Heidelberg always met. Here
several young ladies were soon known as mem
bers of the Princes set, and great was the
rivalry among them for his company. An Eng
Ish girl the daughter of once famous diplomat
finally bore off the palm. This was mere by
NAV however as the Prince was known TO be
absorbed in the charms of Royal Princess The
Prince in fact, had comparatively little time Tor
society His marshal, Baron Won Luders' inc
archaeoloest kept him diligently at work Ihe
BARON attended all the young mans lectures AT
=
spend an hour, schoomaster fashion, over the
most important points and preparing for the
succeedinc dav and the Duke worked hard lie
attended one private lecture on civil government
at the house Of Professor KnieS, the poHtlcO-
economist who has sent so many men lnto lhe
world Of science. Knies is decidedly hberal III
his views so much 50 that he was more hepuoH-
can than Monarchical, and the presence OF
Crown Prince would have been an unpleasant
check to the expression of his opinions IL was
n matter Of general surprise that the Duke ana
not live in greater state. He occupied small
snite Of APARTMENTS in the third story of a build
inc ON the Anlage He kept neither coachman
nor carriage, and usually walked to the lecture
hall He had five servants, who lodged in ad-
ioininp rooms and did little else than sip beer
and gossip in q restaurant across the way.
The residence in Heidelberg came about the
so,e time as his affair with the Princess OF
Prussia, which threw halo OF romance ABOUT
him. His infatuaton was touching. II was a
genuine love match and the courtsmp was car
rjed on in the usual way. The walls OF MS
room Nenre fairly covered with photographs OF
the fair Sophia, in every imaginable costume
About the room numerous souvenirs OF her
handiwork and various presents from her But
As college affairs go, this courtshp was not ever
smooth and blissfnl Political reasons, the
aspirations Of an ambitious brother, and the re
ouirements Of a State Constitution, conspired to
make this otherwise desirable matchf seem I'M
nossible Often the unusually respondent look in