The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-09
AT THE COURT BALL.
HELD IN BERLIN AND OPENED BY THE
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS.
An American Lsdy's Picture of the Bril-
liant spectacle-Rich Dress, Sparkling
Diamonds and Attractive Uniforms Daz-
xle the Eye-A Rush For Tickets.


A court ball-with polonaise led by
tho emperor and empress. Do you wonder
that there Is always rush for tickets
when the date of the annual subscription
ball is anpopnced? 1t is time of suspense,
for everything Is conducted in the slow,
thorough fashion so common with the
Germans.
Application has to be made weeks be-
fore and then It's fate Is known only a
short time previous TO the great event, for
"tbe powers that b" investigate the
names presented most carefully, unless
they are handed in by a member Of tho
army; then they pass muster without a
question.
The size Of the tickets corresponds with
the imDlensity OF the affair, for they aro
rivals of small handbills. but one would
not care II they were regular posters for
he Is so delighted to see his name on one
Having paid the princely sum of SO. 75. he
can now mingle with royalty itself, If ho
goes clothed In dress suit, or party dress
II the happy owner is of the gentler per-
suasion.
One cannot help heartily approving of
this court ball, instituted as II was In the
beginning of this century by Queen Louise
hoping by this means to bring the people
and royalty nearer to each other. old
Kaiser Wilhelm revived the custom, which
had fallen into disuse In she time OF Fred
erick William ~, and used 10 mingle free
ly with the people, chatting now with
Actor So-and-so, next with young artist,
then with prominent author, later with
an officer or member Of some diplomatic
corps. Tho present emperor does not inn
itate his grandfather's actions, but Is
much more reserved. He carries himself
with calm, dignifled manner, not mt all
naughty nor arrogant, but very composed
and elegant.
At o o'clock the royal pair enter the
opera house, the floor of which has been
built out from the royal boxes to the stage
just opposite. Music never ceases, for in
either end of the immense room is sta
toned splendid orchestra. a little COM
motion and tho turning of all heads to
the royal box announce the arrival of the
distinguished couple and their court
luxury which costs the nation 81, 500 a
day.
The ball IA opened by the polonaise or
march, led by the kaiser or kaisorin, fol-
lowed by princes and princesses, dukes
and duchesses and many Others who claim
to have purple blood In ptaCe of tiIo COM
mon rcd which courses through the veins
of ordinary mortals.
The emperor makes q most agreeable
impression, and one can scarcely believe
that.h has uttered many of tho pompous
sayings that are credited TO him, for his
manner calls forth the admiration of even
loyal Americans. He is about the average
height, slight but well proportioned; has
a clear cut faco, full of character, and
wears his hair parted on the side and
brushedwell off his forehead. IIo Is ex-
tremely fond OF the army and usually ap-
pears everywhere I'm uniform. This even
ing he wore the brilliant ono OF the Rcd
hussars which consists of dark blue trou-
sers, with "a strip of gold down tho sides,
high spurred boots reaching 20 the knees
and short rcd coat scanned In gold, with
collar and straps also in gold. His left
arm, which has been useless since birh
is supported by resting tho hand on the
hilt of his long sword. With tho right he
conducts the empress through the serpent
like maze OF the stately march. Ii seemed,
however, "a II before doing SD no must
have led her under a rosobush and shaken
from its branches the evening dew, for she
simply sparkled with diamonds rs purc
and bright as drops Of water with the sun
light on them. In her lair, blond hair |
glittered n priceless diodcm. a necklace !
of two rows Of diamonds enoirolcd her !
throat. Pendent earrings flashed defiance |
to the jewels, which, as a band adorned |
the top and front of her corsago, while |
numerous rows Of the same precious stones |
played indo and seek around her arms. |
The dainty shade Of her long, blue satin |
dress harmonized perfectly with the en- |
perUr's gorgeous coat. She Is not radi- |
antly lovely woman. but "a gracious one, |
without being patronizing. Her face bears |
the stamp of goodness deeper than that ef |
beauty, and ono would say that she was
lovable rather than lovely.
Many of the families present arc enti
tied by birth 60 bc presented M court and
10 mix freely In the royal families at all |
times but they have not tho immense for
tunes necessary 10 maintain the splcndor
of thoir positions anu cannot afford TO pay
IN A,