The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-27

Frederick Charles, came next, after them
the empress, at the side of Prince Freder-
lex Leopold, and long train of royalties.
The imperial military Household" and a
detachment of body guards, wearing the
picturesque costume of the great Freder-
lexis times, bring up the rear. The mo-
ment the kaiser appeared before his
guests a brilliant fanfaronade was enacted
by the two music corps, while everybody
bowed low and smiled serenely Kaiser
and kaiserin took their seats under the
throne canopy on the right of the hall af-
ter looking all around to greet their
friends Not until all royalties and the
chancellor were seated did the other
guests attempt to follow suit. Imme-
ately afterwards the serving of the meal
began.
The menu was quickly gone through
with, and as 1 viewed the rapidity with
which the dishes were changed l pitied
those who perchance had come real hun.
gry to the feast.
The imperial family were waited on by
the pages, who received the silver and
gold plates from the hands of the liveried
kammerjagers. This is curious title for
"butler," to be sure.
The literal translation is chamber
huntsman," and describes an occupation,
which, l am glad to say. has gone out of
date long ago-at the European courts at
least. The office and the title was created
in those good old times when nobody
ever dreamed of taking a bath. Of
these lackeys there was an almost endless
variety. To each guest was allotted one
for personal service. that Is about 600 on
this particular occasion. besides an army
of supernumeraries running to and fro.
The kaiser and the kaiserin partook
heartily of the various dishes and slipped
their wine with fine appreciation. It
looked to me as if the kaiser was es-
pecially fond of fish. probably because it
does not require the use of q knife. His
majesty has only one hand above the
tablecloth, the heavily jeweled and massive
right welding the golden knife-fork. Be-
fore him stood giant silver vessel, full
rugged man-of-war of the great electors
period.
Chancellor Won Caprivi and the old Gem
majesties, with whom they conversed
in quite chatty style. There was
not much ceremony wasted anyhow,
Everybody laughed and talked as
he or she pleased, in quiet man.
ner, of course, but yet without special
reserve. Only one custom struck me as
reminiscent of the stately old etiquette.
When the emperor intended to drink a
guests health he called out the name of
the person, who stood up in military FASH
ion and drained the glass while looking
the kaiser full in the face.
The empress, who looks best when she
smiles, appeared to great advantage
throughout the dinner. She wore sea
green watered silk, cut verv low, leaving
her wonderful bust free. Her Jewels were
pearls and diamonds, with brilliant
studded feather in the tiara. The Princess
Frederick Charles. once the beauty mar
excellence, and still a fine women, dis
played, as usual, her penchant for royaI
ermine and purple The face OF the kaiser's
sister. the Princess Meiningen, reminded
me strongly of the lamented Frederick III
She has beautiful, soulful eyes and mild
mien. She is slightly above medium
height and somewhat slim. This youn0
woman abhors royal pomp in dress; the
fashions of the day are good enough for
her. Her jewels were sapphires and dia-
monds.
The dinner lasted for. about an hour
during which time the music corps played
merrily. Atthe dessert | observed that
the emperor abstained from Conversation
and neryously crumbled pieces of bread in
his hand. Suddenly he rose, clfnched his
glass against a crystal caraffe near NV and
began speech, the opening lines of which
were almost unintelligibie. His voice
however, gained with every sentence and
finally rang out clearly aud with almost
cutting sharpness. He carries his cbarac.
ter IN his voice, and is fine speaker even
from an Americans standpoint. Some
twenty minutes after the kaiser had i'm
ished, the company broke up TO reasseu ble
in the dancing hall.