New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
WALKS WITH EMPRESS ELIZABETH
RECoLLECTIONs BY n CHKIsToMANoS.
GREEK TUTOR OF THE AUSTRIAN
MONARCH
Vienna correspondence Of The London News.

Vienna correspondence of The London News
NJ Christomanos. who taught the late En-
press Elizabeth Greek, and saw much Of her
during their walks for conversation. is about 10
publish a book in which he not only gives vent
to his enthusiasm for her. but also furnishes us
with some very interesting items which make
his work well worth reading. The book is not
yet out this account OF II has the flavor OF
forbidden fruit. VI. ChristOmanOs does not mind
admitting that he vas probably chosen for the
Empresss teacher on account Of his not very
prepossessng appearance. He Is so unfortunate
as TO be a hunchback. and he thinks ne was
selected so that SANDER might not reach the
Empress-Queen who wished 20 take long walks
in the society Of her Greek master. II was IN
May. 1881, that he received summons to cas-
tie LainZ where he first met the Empress. she
stood before him, he says. a slender black pres
ence before he aware OF her approach.
She carried a white sunshade that formed a
halo TO her handsome face. and black ian TO
help him out OF the embarrassment with which
her presence filled him she said. When Greeks
speak Greek IL sounds like music That day
she walked with him through the grounds Tor
three hours and ne felt he must get used 10
exercise. This was a trial tutOrship. and when
she bade him good-by. in September. 10 leave
for lschl there was no promise Of a renewal or
thu relations. In December, however. ne was
called TO the palace, and became an inmate OF II.
The Greek lessons always began while the
Empresss hair was being done. This was
most complicated and serious operation which
took two hours. The Empress sat in the middle
Of the large room before a white-covered table.
with the paraphernalia Of the toilet She was
entirely concealed under a dressing-gown or
cambria. with lace, over which her hair streamed
in ls-OWn waves 10 the ground. The hair
dresser, in black gown with a train and a
cambria apron, had 20 separate each hair with
her fingers then 10 comb them Out-there was
no brushing-to make the plaits. and 70 raise
them on the Empress's head like a crown.
When all was finished she would present the
few hairs which had come out on a silver dish.
The Empress would give her reproachful look.
The hairdresser would crave pardon, and then
the Empress drove TO Schonbrunn with her
teacher
Here three hours walk forowed-in frosty
weather in rain. in sleet. in snow; and the
worse il was the more the Empress would en-
JOY it, She said IL was Ike King Louis OF
Bavaras separate performances In the theatre.
The world was hers in such weather. VI. Chris
tomanos had 20 walk step behind Her Majesty.
whether he read or whether they talked. She
generally preferred reading, but when she
talked il without reserve and all sub
jects. On the emancipation Of women she was
rather hard. Women should be free" she said
They are often better worth II than men. But
they should not learn. The less they learn the
more valuable they are. knowing things out 81
themselves. " When ". Christomanos dared.
he asked aer how it those endless walks
did not tire her She said she owed that 70
her father, who had MS daughters taught walk
ing as an accomplishment We We're said 10
walk Ike butterflies. sister AlencOn and T. she
said In Paris We were famous for our walk
ms hut II was not me way Queens walk The
the ground out Of doors. have peculiar walk "
OF Carmen sylvia. whose poetry she admired
she said With all her exotic crown ard her
white hair she is a German backnsch-impui-
sive. excited
The EMPRESS appreciation of the solitude ~
Nature in all her aspects is well portrayed In
NJ. Christomanoss diary. because he has the
taste 20 Jet the Empress speak for herself some
times. though ne lends her his excited. unnatu-
raj laneuago. which she certainly did not use
Sometimes there are fine traits of irony as
when he wont into obstacles over the sunset ON
the sea. and thought she might echo some of
his words She turned 20 him with the satirical
lines Of hcr "a vOrite Hene
Mein Herrlein sCien Sic mUnfer
Das ist Gin ares Stuck
Her vOrne gent sic inter
IND kehrt Won hnten Zurtck
The book is well worth noticing IN greater
detail thar can be done in The ordinary limits
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