Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-11-01
EMPERoR WILLIAM.
A Pen Picture by One who Hns
Known HiIn all His Life.

known elm all His Lilo.
Mr.. Poultney Blgelow, whose personal
acquaintance with the present emperor Of
Germany dates from bis sehooldays, hos
communicated to the New York World
come very interesting details OF recent
interview. He says; "No man, In my
opinion, is better equipped in every way
for the work which be has got to do. /
have seen, at close quarters, most of the
rulers on the European thrones, ana II
am any ridge of features and expression,
should say that Germany had an en-
peror not only vastly superior mentally
and physically to any one else III o like
position, but with training far more
valuable than that of any preceding
ruler of Prussia or Germany. As to his
health, most Of the stories told about
him, generally inspired 10 England, are
pure fabricstions. He is O taller man
ban the average of the crack regiment
officers, he is straight and square and
we'll filed out with beef and muscle, his
skin is tanned by the sun he Is, in fact
like Henry M. Stanley--n man famed
for his athletic build and tough FISH
as well "a healthy expression. The en-
peror, moreover, Is one Of the best rifle
shots in the army, Ia good swimmer and
fencer, can pull good oar, and will ride
across country with any man. In fact,
saw him during the mar Duvres take OBJ
atacles that several of his officers refused,
and he did 1t with ease.
much has been said about his left
arm, which Is falsely asserted to be par
nIyzed. Well, with that left arm strapped
! -. Ii a.. ha rna nf
his age and hight, for all the life Of that
arm appears TO have been drawn into the
right one, and when he shakes hands II y
In such way that you don't forget n
very soon. II would be grand thing
for our President II he had such grip.
A gentle pressure would make q friend
forever, while a hard squeeze for any
Office. seeker would make sure Of his nevel
seeing that man again unless he CAME
with his arm In o sling. or course, TIT
left arm is not strong, but still 1t has lii.
enough to hold the reins Of his horse ant
allow him his right hand free for hare
work, and that is quite enough when yol
think OF the additional power lodged
there. The English papers have pub
lished 80 many yarns about the critios
condition OF the emperor's health, that
was prepared TO meet q man as sickly O
young Prince Louis Napoleon was.
"Now as to the difficulty with his ear
II is true that hs has piece OF cotton Il
his right ear, owing to local Irritation
which made its appearance few year
ago. But this trouble does not appear =
impair his hearing powers, for l neye
had to repeat anything said, but spok
~, x1auaI oax, avnotinnol tomas
"As far as the assertions about the ba
blood existing between the emperor an
his mother and family are concerned,
cannot say much on the subject. Bu
the Emperor William Is, above all,
German and soldier, and passionatel
devoted to the traditions of his house On
nation. This in itself may explain muc
that passes for his brutality. 1t ia
2 secret that the widow of Emperor Fres
= erick, an English woman, whose countr,
people have been for many years hosti
/, to Germany, has ever been busy telliI
Germans their defects, and urging the
Q to adopt English ways. No doubt 81
has had the purest motives. But n
even Mrs. Cleveland could maintain b
! present popularity il she did little ell
! besides critiels Dg American institution
J and trying to make us copy some OF
= elss's. The emperor has shown marve
ous tact in steering his course witho
9 accident since the last illness Of b
|. grandfather. l have II on unquestionab
3 authority that when he reached 81
0 Reno, at the time his dying grandfath
: sent him toS news of Emperor Frederick
Q condition, his mother sought to prove
him from entering the bed room Of u
? royal patient, dTeadipg that he came wi
; view TO assuming the regency. Nothil
! is SO difficult to dwell upon as fanni
differences, nor, moreover, any Hubje
2 on which we ought to be so glad to drs
ysil."