The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-31
ROYAL WINE CELLARS.
DUTIES or THE cBLIAE MASTER.
An American PresIdes over tho Cellars OF
the Berlin sohIoss and Serves as Royal
Cupbearor-LsEacv From Old Fritz

Many bon wants will be surprised to
learn that an American presides over the
VINE cellars of His Imperial Majesty Of Ger
many, with headquarters at the Berlin
Schloss, the enormous pile grandly situated
ct the beginning OF Inter den Linden. that
contains some seven hundred rooms among
them the famous Whitehall one Of the
finest state apartments in the world
The same American virtually holds the
important Office of Grand Echanson, hund-
schenk. as the Office is called in Germany,
which the Almanac de Gotha" credits 10
some grand ssigneur of olden lineage.
His name is Jim Weigand and he is Phil
adelphian by birth. lie learned the trade
when in the employ Of one of the greatest
wholesale liquor dealers OF the Quaker City.
and fifteen years ago emigrated 10 Ger
many, where he took charge of the cellars
of Berlin wine dealer.
His governorship over the Kaiser's cellars
began almost simultaneously with the reign
of William H., who, 1t seems, had special
grudgo against his gfandtathers cellar mas
ter and would not rest until he bad one OF
his own making. Even while the prepara-
tions for the funeral of poor Emperor
Frederick were going on Herr Weigand was
commanded 10 appear before the grand
chamberlain. who offered him his present
post. that carries with IL salary almost II
not quite equal to its great responsibilities.
All this the Royal -Kellermeister told me
when | called on him some time ago at bis
"OOmtor" under the left wing OF the
Schloss. where most of the household offices
are located,
Weigand is q tall stout man, with ford
complexion. who wears his beard after the
order of all royal servants coming into per-
sonal contact with Their Majesties-that IS,
closely cropped at the sides, no mustacne
and the chin clearly shaven.
He has almost forgotten his English by
his long residence in Germany, and even
when talking to Americans frequently drops
into German.
NO USE FOR ENGLISH.
II have little use for my native tongue at
this Conrt," he said alphabetically, for we
have only few English visitors. When
foreign princes are present orders at the
table are given in French. otherwise the
German language prevails"
Referring to the meeting between tue
Gar and the Kaiser at Kiel, which Herr
Weigand had attended in his official ca
pacitv. and from which ut the time OF THIS
interview he had just returned, j asked
The Gar and MS naval officers, DO they
not speak English" =,
No" he said lat the dinner IN the castle
at Kiel His Russian Majesty oonyersed IN
French with our Kaiser, and so did the gen.
tlemen of his suite among themselves. In
deed. learned from his servants that the
Car detests English, and that he considers
II one of the drawbacks OF the annual
family meetings al Fredensburg, that, while
there he is obliged 10 converse with his re-
latives exclusively in English. according 70
the wishes of Queen Louise
Herr Weigand added, The Gar 10 get
ting very stout and gray. and consequently
looks a much older man than he really Is.
His attitude at the Kiel interview was grave
and dignifed, but pleasant witha. His
servants love him aud pronounce MIN an
ideal master
The Kellermeister's office IS small SEMI
underground apartment, connected win
the cellars proper by heavy iron doors. us
whiteWashed walls are OF enormous thick
ness. Cupboards with glass doors run along
the walls on all sides. containing samples OF
the table glassware in use at the many royaI
castles and shooting boxes.
NEW oLD-FAsH1oNEp GLASSWARE.
On the low desk in the middle OF the
room the day | visited the ONCE stood Q
ohampagne glass that had Just arrived from
the Bohemian Crystal Works. Its outlines
we're Of antique gracefulness and heavily
ornamented with gold. On the chahc'