Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-09-25
THE GERMAN COURT.
PLEASURES GAY ROUND IN EN-
PEROn WILLIAMS HOME.
Hunting the Favorito Diversion of
tho EmperOr-The Ceremony of Be-
slowing Decorations = Presenta-
lions TO Emperor and Empress.

hc season ueVoteu to amusement is
rather short in the German metropolis
says n writer in the San Francisco
, Chronicle. Official court festivities be.
gin January 18th and last till Lent.
After the beginning of Lent private par
ties with dancing are tolerated, but il is
more fashionable to have dinners, routs
or musicalcs, aud such mild pleasures.
After "Sli-larcmc" all parties cease, and
only theatres and concerts are visited till
Easter week brings utter retirement to
all those belonging to society.
shall try to give short glimpse of
the events of the past winter season,
which was the first under the reign of
William II. without mourning. After
the New Year ceremonies the Imperial
court lived in retirement, because of the
confinement and convalesccncc of the
Empress. Thus the Emperor found
leisure for hunting, which is his fayorite
pleasure. The best sport was found Mt
honigswusterhausen, small place in the
midst oil large pine forests, where wild
boars abound. Here the Emperor hunted
Tor two days, staying the night at a
small hunting lodge where his fore
fathers used TO remain during hunting
time.
The bears are driven together by hun
drcds Of drivers, under the guidance of
the imperial gamekccpers, and the Elm
peror and his guests stand at appointed
places, and when the animals rush past
have the best opportunity to shoot. In
seven days 22S animals were killed. some
OF great size and astonishing weight.
The Emperor shoots very well with gun
or rifle, and has been known to kill 300
head of game in one day.
On such hunting expeditions the EN-
peror always wears forest uniform, dark
gray cloth, with green fastenings aud
silver cords, together with felt hat.
This uniform is only allowed by imperial
permission, and is permitted, for in
stance, to royal relations or personal
friends of the Emperor who are good
sportsmen. ALI the game that has been
killed is laid out in rows and the EN-
peror and his guests look them over,
and buglc sounds the haloo. At the
little castle dinner is served to the hun
CRY party, and usually some hours after
the company returns by train to Berlin.
,''S 1C'u vi JuuuiTy lnC HcucES-
fest, or Decoration Festival" was cele.
brated, together with the anniversary of
the Prussian Coronation day and the
proclamation Of the new German empire
Ill 1871. This festival is for all those
who received decorations during the
past year and of those about to receive
orders on this day. The cavaliers of the
Ncder of the Black Eagle are always
present, rs well rs the cavaliers of the
Neder OF Johannister, receiving their
gorgeous uniforms, which belong to the
Vcdcrs, and the grand cloalls of red vel
vet or black silk, which make them look
very picturesque. The Emperor wears n
red cloak, which is most becoming to
him. But Their are also some present
IN plain clothes among the many glitter
ing uniforms, for decorations are given
to men OF merit of all classes, and worthy
laborers, with the "Allgcmeine Ehren
reichcn, gold medal, stand near pri
waite soldiers, also decorated for acts of
courage. a good many ladies ale also
among the decorated ones. Charity and
work in the cause Of the poor are re-
wardcd by the Guisencross, or Vcrdieus
NAO@|f "OAh va ShC iCiL II more
becoming ornament than fine diamonds
or jewels, in the sight of God and man.
When all the guests, who numbered 1850
this year, were assembled, the Emperor
repaired with them to Castle chanel.
where divine service was celebrated, fol
lowed by dinner in the gorgeous halls
OF the Castle, and ut the end of it the
Emperor proposes to the health of Hall
those that have been decorated" thus
closing the grand entertainment.
The christening of the sixth son of the
Imperial Alajcsties on the 18th of Janu.
airy, was the next court festival. The
baby, born on the 18th of December, re-
ceived the name of Joachim, and after
the christening in one of the imperial
rooms, the Empress was churched. The
invited company, specially the royal god
fathers and godmothers from other
courts, assembled for state dinner in
the great White Hail. The following
day, the 9th of January, was the BIRTH
day of the Emperor, now 80 years old.
1t was celebrated in great style by official
congratulations and much rublic cheer
ing whenever the Emperor appeared.
~" '"iS "uS III u Sndii, coy dining
room, only royalty assembled, and the
whole dinner was served on silver, all
tie plates beautifully engraved with the
Prussian arms. The table ornaments and
candelabra were of gold, the cut crystal
OF exquisite workmanship, and the white
damask linen OF the finest texture. The
hangings of the room were dark red
with gold fringes; the furniture of
chlseled oak. The lackeys were in
stockings, with gorgeous liveries and
powdered heads. One of them was sta
toned behind each chair. The service
was as noiseless and quick as possible;
IN fact,a dinner at court never last lonrcr
than an hour.
Court balls, soirees and dinners fol-
lowed quickly one upon the other.
At the leyec newcomers are introduced
TO the Emperor and Empress. The ladies
appear In court trains of the length of
three meters, carried over the left arm
and only let down at tie time of the in.
PRODUCTION when tha introdrood Ill