Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-09-01
WOMEN COMMANDERS
ROYAL LADIES OF HIGH RANK WHO
ARE COLONIES OF REGIMENTS.


They Make Efficient Officers and Are
Splendid Horsewomen-Compli Paid
to Grand Duchess by Emperor WILL
iam-Male Members Poor Riders.
There are several royal ladies in
Europe who are Colonies, some of
whom are hot only proud of their
titles, but honor their regiments by
giving time and attention to their well
fare and advancement. The German
Empress commands the Queens
Fusiliers, the Eighty-siXth Schleswig-
Holsteiners, and she is not infrequent-
ly seen riding at their head as Colonel
and saluting the Emperor, then rein
ing in beside him to see them pass.
Empress Frederick, the Kaiser's
mother, shows herself very active
commanding officer of the Eightieth
Infantry, battalions of which are
stationed at Homburg, Soden, Gems
dorf and Wiesbaden, stations within
a short railroad ride of her summer
residence. She frequently invites the
Colonel, staff 9nd line officers to dine
with her and discuss regimental mat
ters, and at times she attends the field
exercises.
Another woman Colonel who con-
siders herself bound. in more than
name, to her regiment, is the Grand
Duchess of Hesse. She is often no.
ticed on the parade ground. when the
regiment is at work, in undress uni
form, consisting of dark-blue coat,
red collar and cuffs edged with blue,
and a heavy black shirt, peak cap
with red band, sword and belt and
knOtted epaulets. AT parades and re-
views she heads the 111th Regiment
in all the glory and pomp of full-dress
uniform, the helmet topped with
plumes and strapped under her chin,
tasselled belt, and her breast covered
with decorations. the great Order of
the Red Eagle being conspicuous.
At recent Kaiser parade at Homburg
the Emperor sent his personal Adj
jutant to escort her to Inn and pub
licly congratulated her on the magni-
ticent appearance of her command.
The Duchess of Connaught is known
as one of the most unassumng and
unpretentiOus women at the English
court Educated under tne eye of her
father. the Red Prince" she was
brought up as a soldiers daughter
should be, was a fearless rider at an
early age, and sits on her horse with
grace and dignity. When Prince
Arthur, in the natural routine of
events. becomes the Commander-n-
Chief of the British Army, the Duchess
will be one of the most active and
foremost of the royal women soldiers
In Holland, there is the liveliest
satisfaction mt the apparent interest
Queen Wilhelmina shows in her army.
Recently. while at one of her country
residences. word was brought that a
regiment was approaching on prac-
tice march. and would soon pass the
residence. She mounted hurriedly,
galloped out to meet the dusty, travel
stained troops, saluted the Colonel and
putting herself at the head of the col
umn. personally led it in front of the
Queen Regent Emma, giving the word
of command for the salute as it passed
her mother.
1t is a curious fact that while nearly
all the royal women of Europe are
superb and picturesque horsewomen.
few of the reigning sovereigns are
even tolerable riders. Emperor Will
liam has not a firm seat and is at a
disadvantage because of his crippled
arm and always mounts with assist
ance of some kind. King Humbert of
Italy is famous for his falls: the En-
peror of Russia is not master of the
art. and the Kings of Sweden, Greece
and Denmark absolutely abhor riding.
The King of Portugal finds no enjoy
ment When mounted, because of his
stoutness. Prince Ferdinand of Bull
garia cannot ride for an hour ut n
time. and King Alexander of Servia
Is afraid of horses. The British royal
princes are. however. all expert horse
men. but continental Europe can only
boast of two sovercigns who are really
at home in the saddle. the Emperor Of
Austria and the King of the Belgians
and President Felix Faure of France.