New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-10
TIE TWO WILLIAMS.

III t0tncr. the old Emperor william, was Tar
less impressive parsonage, notwithstanding his
great stature and handsome appearance. Indeed
the feelings with which his aspect imbued me
were those which should naturally | should have
experienced for any poor old gentleman towering
on the edge OF the grave. His venerable appear
ance was sufficient TO prevent any disiEclination
on my part TO kiss his hand in duty bound.
But / confess that | never have been able To
bring myself 10 pay any such act of HOMAGE 10
his grandson, the present Emperor. The latter
presents most striking contrast 10 ms father ~
every way, and his character may be summed zap
in one single French Word-poseur. Everything
that lie either says or does Is for tLc sake OF
effect, and II is an open question rs II whether
there Is one hour in the day, save the time de-
voted to sleep, when he Is not III the act Of
posturing for the sake Of some person or other
On no occasion did this trait Of his character
strike me 50 much rs at reception given a few
Years ago at Berlin by his mother. the Empires,
Ere erica at that time only Crown Princes.
Among the distinguished guests present was Cal
dinal Prince llOhenlohc. the most witty, worldly
and cynical member OF the sacred College. stand
ing i'll front OF the fireplace Of ole Of the salons,
ne was carving Oh an animated conversation with
Prince William. Although the uttcrenccs Of lis
i.niAence were SOFT and melodious, yet their tone
Was SNltN4lIA hIHti!lpo ~ '4A''-' INV -H'9'a I
the room 10 appreciate tAc sparkling and brilliant
nature Of his remarks. Each yItjicism that Lc
made-and they were uaHy-Prncc William en-
dcavored to cap in a clumsy, boorIsA way which
had on those Of us VINO were present much the
same eXascrdting effect chatteIIng does durln-
the performance Ol some particularly sweet ana
exquisite piece Of music. His clepndAtlne and
coarse attempts at humor Wcre delivered III q
loud, harsh tone Of voice, tine object being 10
avoid thai any one should be unfortunate enough
10 fail u near his pondclJus jokes, and nothing
could be more curious than his 4ulch, I.rlyc
glance around the room wnnc ne Vas speaking,
Ior the purpose OF noting tie eject cicaicd upon
us bV las GttcrauCcS OI q nature tndl II "a ..r-
Mgly coarse, 1t Is not astonishing that MS sens
OF humOr should be- distinguished hy tie same
characteristic, and when he tries 10 he lunnl hc
IS frequently nasty, and would De regarded OIL
jcctIOnaDy vulgar were lac not one OF the mos
powerful IuOnarchs OF the day. lIls phS sIquc IL
of the same coarse grain as his character anu
his features present such contrast t. the hgh-brcd
ana gOod-humOred face vi his brother, - the del
icate beauty OF his eldest sister, Princess haf-
otte and 10 the healthy ana rosy coHntcnancc
OF his Younger sisters that almost tempted
to DOUBT The relationship. HIS hair though Tim
is by no means Of fine texture, and ~ Of Il DUH
nay, almost dead color He has experienced the
| utmost difficulty III rdSih- a muStdcAc, possibly
ia consequence OF the extremely volcanic complex
ION with which lie Was afflicted until quite re-
Gently Moreover, his hands are cold aud ciaInniy
many persons against hlm. Ills uniforms arc
paducd IN the most outrageous fashion,
and he wears exceedingly ngh-heelcd Loots
for the sake Of increasing his stature.
which is about that Of the Prince 0f
! Wales 10 those On whom lie desires 10 ere It. a
| favorable impression he Is exceedingly -rtcIOuo-
bat i'm 50 ELUSIVE manner as 10 leave dOuJts a.
10 his sincerity In fact at 10 time, not even ia
! moments of apparent abandon. does he gIyc ore
| the impression Of being natural ana sincere. lie
| should have been born an actor, lof be has III
herit,d from his grandmother much of that sta 81
| ness for which 80 was distinguished, and, IKE
an actor TOO, hc - perfect mania for notOricty.
II is this last characteristic which has cOnsl iutcd
| the principal motive II many o. his most cAiIt0r-
! dinary freaks since his accession to Tie crown.
and il was this, likewise that led 10 the cstr3nRc-
| 'mcnt from Ills parents which 50 cmtlucrcd The
! closing years Of his fathers Ilic. simple Un-
! Affected and natural himself, Emperor lTcIcrick
! couh not tolerate his sons vanity, desire for
notoricty and conccit In his quiet gentle way,
| he sought 10 keep the young man III t..c bacn-
| grouud until he mad concluded the hopeless task
| Of curing him Of his overwhelming bumptipus-
| rcss William never forgot or iOrIaNc his fathers
| oUor,s 10 suppress that which hc cOnsdrrrd ~
! his ccvcrncSs and genius and eagerly swal .Ogcd
thc insnuatons OF his courtiers to the effect that
! Frcdericks attempts to keep him down we're en-
tircy due to the lathcT JcIo"sy Oh his son cN-
| traOrdinary talents
Such is the youth whose damp and clammy
/ hand white haired statesmen and generals such
! az bismarck and Mutkc consider il AZ a privilege
! 10 xis. and whose smile and irOWn are aWaltc I
| with trembling anxiety By thousands Of clever.
! sLrc,vd and highly talented Germans What
Wonder then. that he should regard himself a,
ENJOYING greater degree Of intimacy with PlOvi-
| deTcc than the rest Of mankind. The name Of
God to,rrs in all his speeches. is referred 20 even
in tbc most trivial matters, and is treated Ivy that
! Young Emperor with a degree Of familiarity tha:
! would he touching did It rot fringe ihc border
| Eno of blasnbemv For IT, is not the God Of
C6ristianiiy at large to whom he olludcs, but a
special particular Divinity who IS supposed 20 re,
| gard Tie German Emperor as ms laVortF ana
most preferred child. II is a God VINO marchr'
| with the German Army when it GOES 10 war Will.
some weaker ncichbor II is God who has en-
! trusted the German people to William aS a talent
which fine latter is determined 10 increase before
returning il 10 his Maker, 10 whom ne is alone
| responsible II Is God who viii help HIM 10
| crush his enemies both NJ home and abroad. ana
| according 10 williams own confession, cont llncd
in one Of his recent public speeches. when he IS
moved by the beauties Of Nature 10 commune WIZ,
| his God he assumes the attitude OF present
| brings his heels together with clash OF the