Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-03
FRUGAL ROYALTIES.
Curious Facts Concerning the Visit Of En-
press Frederick to Athena

Paris Letter in London Truth
The Empress Frederick's last visit to Athens
was. it appears, brought to a close sooner than
she had intended Whenever the King of
Greece went to Potsdam or to Berlin he had to
pay his shot. He was told that the expenses of
the royal and imperial family were calculated
at so much head each, and that guests paid
in the same PROJECTION The rule was applied
even to his son after he was betrothed to the
Princess Sophia But when the court of Berlin
came TO Athens for the wedding they paid moth
ing.
The same immunity from lodging and enter
talnment bills was granted to the Empress
Frederick for herself and her attendants when
the A:heniaEs for a short time. But when they
saw that her sOjOurn to be long one thew
began TO grumble. The papers quoted the
mediRval saying about the Germans-namelv,
that they were birds which were always slipping
into the well-built nests of others and making
Themselves 1T home in them. The Empress
Frederick was always on the go. This in a
quiet place like Athens, threw every one into a
fever. When she was not visiting a ruin, OF
museum. or school. or artist she was going to
see excavations of famous sites.
The horses OF the rcyal stables were UNEQUAL
TO this strain The grumbling OF the stable
men broke all bounds King George ian Athe-.
MAN official told mel got very tired of all the
hustle and friction When the empress had
gone TO see a famous site at Epirus. word was
conveyed to her that an English Vessel was to
be fetched from Malta to Patras to
take her and the Princess Mar
garet to Naples, Trieste. or any other part
che wishet. to go TO on her homeward journey
At first che did not feel what was behind the
message, and spoke OF leaving by the Greek
vessel. which. serving the purpose of q royal
yacht Is always ready to obey the kings orders
Her majesty told that it was a good deal
out of repair, and she was then given broad
hints, which 1t was impossible not to under
stand.
The ''one-sided reciprocity" Of Germsn row.
altles does not do at Athens Ny Athenian Off
cial also tells me that King Georges fortune is
now estimated at about 10000. 600 francs He
has no expenses to speak of. except when he
travels. and he hardly ever lodges on first or
second nooT at the hotels where he puts I'D
The farm at his country place of Takao sup
plies the palace with wine, oil, meat, poultry
and garden produce. Baron Erlanyer is
always sending bourse tips TO Athens, and the
king understands their value.
When he was a minor, his uncle Prince John of
Holstein, regularly invested the civil list saw
ings in Greek bonds, which were then between
thirteen and twenty-five. His menus Ilaisirs
only cost him bracelets and brooches, ard that
chiefly when he comes to France. The queen
devotes her large fortune to her children and
to the relief Of the poor. She is in a quite un-
ostentatious and simple manner sister of char
ity. While the king attends TO private and
oAe bOts around 10 hospitals
and to visit sick and suffering persons some
Of whom may be personal friends strangers at
Athens, or poor Creatures She saws thai if she
ever had a vocation for anything it is for hos
pital work.
The Greeks have no respect for ROYALTY as
such and know nothing of aristocracy but they
love and revere their generous-hearted queen
and have adopted all her children. The day
on which her daughter Alexandra was leaving
Is a bride for Russia the population for thirty
miles round gathered to the Pireus to see her
on and wish her a long and happy life. Tears
stood In the eyes OF most Of the spectators All
hing Georges children are handsome and look
robust They have no titles, not even the
eldest son. and are known by their Christian
names. He is only known as Duke Of Sparta
abroad
When he and his second brother were travel
mig, Few years ago In Germany. q hotel keeper,
knowing they were royal. asked them to write
down their names in his visitors book They
thought II good joke for the senior brother 10
Sc himself down as Pringhips Catiti prince of
something or Another), and the junior one as
Comis Tipote Count of Nothing at ALL