The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
COLONIES IN PETTICoATs.
Royal Ladies' Commanding Regiments
in the German Army.

nous faSeWak Cui!aSSIeIS. and she Is not
infrequently seen riding at their head, as
colonel, and saluting the Emperor, then
refining in beside him to see them pass.
On these occasions she wears the snowy
regimental uniform Of white with red fac
ings. the scarf of the Order OF Hohen-
zO.leTn, and the famous three cornered
hat with large dropping heron's p tunes.
Empress Frederick. ths k~iger's mother.
has the Eighteenth Infantry and the Hus-
sar Regiment, "kaiserin" No. @ as her
own, and Queen Victoria. his graldmoth
er, is privileged to ride at the ne ID Of the
Victoria" regiment of the Qua. ds.
Other lady chieftains in the EmDeror's
army are Queen Marguerite OF Italy.
whose regiment belongs to the Hessian
Wager thuntersD corps; the Empress Al
eXander CT Russia, who is colcnel of the
Second Regiment of Dragons; the
Hereditary Princess of Sax Meinn ngen.
who commands the Second CIR nad!ers,
the Princess Royal OF Greece, the Emp
ror's sister, and Princess Louise. Duchess
Of Connaughf, who has the dragon r5gi-
ment Won Arnim' No. II.
The Queen Of Wurtemburg is colonel OF
the Uhlan regiment KONG Wilhelm -
the Princess Vera of Wurtemberg who
was Russian grand duchess. the Uhlans
KONG Karl" tie Grand Duchess Victoria
Militia Of Hessen has the One Hundred
and Eleventh Infantry; the Princess
Charles OF Prussia. the Twelfth regiment
Of Dragons; the Princess Albert OF Prus-
STA, the Twcnty-fcurth Infantry; the
Queen Regent CT the Netherlands, the Fiji
tenth Westphalian Infantry. and the
Grand Duchess Of Baden, the Fourth regi-
ment of the Grenadier Guards
Empress Frederick shows herself a very
active commanding officer OF the Eightieth
Infantry, battalions OF which are station
ed at Homburg. Soden, Gensdorf and Wies-
baden, stations within a couple OF hours
ride of her summer residence. She fire.
quently invites the colonel, staff and line
officers to dine with her, and discuss regi-
mental matters, and at times she attends
the field exercises of her men.
One afternoon last summer. I saw her
drive onto the field at Soden, ACCOMPANIED
by her son-in-law. the Crown Prince of
Greece, and the Princess Friedrich Karl OF
Hesse, where the Eightieth were at drill.
and put them through very lively in
speetion- Then she summoned the officers,
and through them complimented the regi-
ment.
Another lady colonel who considers her.
self bound. in more than name. to her reg
iment, is the Grand Duchess of Hessen.
She is often noticed on the parade ground
when the regiment is at work in undress
uniform, consisting OF a dark blue coat
red collar and cuffs edged with blue and
heavy black skirt, peaked cap with red
band, sword and belt and knotted epau-
lettes.
At parades and reviews she heads the
11Ith Regiment in all the glory and pomp
OF full-dress uniform, the helmet topped
with plumes and strapped under her chin
tasseled belt and her breast covered with
decorations. the great Order Of the Eagle
being conspicuous At recent Kaiser pa
rade at Hamburg the Emperor sent his
personal adjutant TO escort her to him.
and publicly congratulated her on the
magnificent appearance of her command.
The grand duchess is one of the most
accomplished drevirs in Germany, and it
was my good fortune to see her at the
Frankfort races one day last summer. The
utmost excitement was shown by the as
sembled thousands when. preceded by a
couple Of outriders, she drove onto the
course, handling the reins skilIfully over
matched team of fine grays. two leaders
and three to the poles. Her sister, the
crown princess of Roumania, sat on the
box with her. and while the latter was
pretty and effeminate in her flimsy FUZZY
summer fneries, the grand duchess sat
erect looking very masculine with strong
face and marked features.
The Duchess of Connaught is known as
one OF the most unassuming and UMPIRE
tentious ladies at the English court. Edu-
Gated under the eye of her father the
Red Prince" she was brought, ur as a
soldiers daughter should be. was a fear
less rider at an early age, and sits her
horse with grace and dignity. When
Prince Arthur, in the natural routine OF
events, becomes the commander-in-chief
OF the British army, the duchess will be
one OF the most active and foremost OF the
royal lady soldiers.
est satisfaction at the apparent interest
Queen Wilhelmina shows in her army
Recently, while at one OF her country res
licences. word was brought that a regi-
ment was approaching on a practice
march and would soon pass the residence.
She mounted hurriedly, galluped ont TO
meet the dusty. travel-staincd troops. sa-
luted the colonel, and, putting herself at
the head of the column. personally led it
In front of the Queen Regent Emma, Civ
ing the word of command for the salute
as it passed her mother.
Queen Wilhelmina held her first review
of the army of the Netherlands since as
cending the throne at Renkum, near Arm
helm on September II last.
There were about 10000 soldiers OF all
arms present. and as their young Queen
rode onto the field she evoked an almost
frenzied enthusiasm among them and the
people.
II was at first decided that Queen VII
helmina should appear at the review wear
ing the uniform of a general OF the Royal
Horse Guards. dark blue with gold facings.
epaulettes. and the other insignia OF rank
Her majesty. however. promptly vetoed
the proposition, and wore a white ANA
zon riding habit with the regulation tail
black hat She rode her pet pony Baby.
1t is a curious fact that while nearly all
the royal ladies' of Europe are superb and
picturesque horsewomen, few OF the reign
| ing soyereigns are even tOlerable riders
Emperor William has not a firm seat. and
| is at a disadvantage because OF his Grip
pied arm and always mounts with as
| sistance of some kind. King Humbert Of
italy is famous for his falls. The Empe
ror of Russia is not master of the art,
and the kings of Sweden, Greece and Den
( mark absolutely abhor riding. The King
of Portugal finds no enjoyment when
mounted, because of his 'embOnpoint."
Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria cannot ride
for an hour at a time. and King AeXan-
der of Servia is afraid OF horses. The
British royal princes are. however, all ex-
pert horsemen. but continental Europe
! can only boast of two sOvereigns who are
really at home in the saddle-the Empe-
ror of Austria and the King of the Bel
| gians. and President Felix Faure ~
| France.
Courtesy To Servants.
Z