The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16
At WILLIAMS COURT
The Emperor Desires to Honor
Baroness Won Kette.er.
He Has Invited Her to Become Mis-
treas of the Robe-Empress Il De.
viii Acccpt-ynlue of the Place in
Money and Truly Royal HonOrs.

| It has been stated that Emperor Will
JAMS reason for inviting Baroness Won
Ketteler to Berlin is to make her a LADY,
waiting to Her Majesty. but that II
said, also, to be a mistake.
| The title of lady in waiting. or hof-
dame, would hardly conform to the baron-
ess' present rank, for her ladyship is al
ready styled ambassadress'' and "ex-
cellency," and as Baron Won Ketteler died
at his post, his eminent rank and title be-
| long to his widow for life, Just as it
would have belonged TO him IL he had re-
| tired with honors after reaching the aga
| limit.
AS matter Of fact. the Kaiser has re-
solved to revive the post of mistress OF
the robe for the former Miss Maud Cass
Ledyard.
This Office, says writer to the Pitts
burg Dispatch has long been extinct at
the Prussian Court. and the old nobility
which maintaing that born ladies' Of
title alone have claim to 1t are raising
heaven and earth to prevent the terrible
slight to their dignity. IL possible.
The Empress is said to be delighted
with the augmentation Of her personal en-
tourage, which in future will be on tho
same footing with that Of Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria's mistress Of the robe is
the Duchess Of Buccleuch, who combines
with the office that of grand mistress.
II Baroness Won Ketteler can be per-
suaded to take up her residence in Ger
many. an apartment consisting Of four
parlors, besides bedrooms, wardrobe
rooms. and servants quarters, Will be set
Sc.r har At nif hnP fxf he 4
aces in Berlin. Potsdam, easel, and Wies-
baden. or wherever else the court may
stay for any length of time. The apart
ments at the Berlin Sch1oss and Potsdam
Neues Palaise intended for her Use are
among the best in the castles named, Sec
ond only to those occupied by the EN-
peror and Empress, and furnished very
deliberately. royal chasseur will be on
watch in the first ante-chamber light and
day to attend TO callers and to the speak
ing tube connecting the apartment with
Her Majesty's own. Messages are deliv-
cred to her excellency by her secretary,
who occupies the second ante-chamber.
These persons and all other servants to
whom the mistress of the robe is en-
titled. namely. coachman and groom,
two fcotmen and as many maids are paid
by the royal exehequer.
Six carriages are at her ladyship's dis
posaI, besides saddle horses that the EN-
press stable furnishes. The mistress Of
the robe is entitled to gala coach ard
four on state occasions.
The salary Of the mistress of the robe
is S0,00e marks per year, which is equal
to about 5000 in the United States, even
without the perqu!sites. The latter in
ciude besides lodgings, servants, etc, as
set forth, also medical attendance free of
charge and beard for the incumbent and
her private servants. This latter is no
small item, considering that the court
frequently travels in Germany and
abroad. On all journeys of the court the
mistress OF the robe takes her place in
the imperial palace car, and when she
travels alone she is paid general field
PENDANTS are allowed first and second
class fare.
The mistress Of the robe Is entitled to
a place at the royal table on all state and
family occasions, but usually takes only
dinner. and supper with their
majesties. for. the Kaiser being an early
riser. breakfast is an informal affair at
the Berlin court. AT table her excel
leEcy sits at the side Of a prince, am
bassador. or officer. who holds lieutenant
generals rank at the very least. She
might prefer to talk to some great artist
or scientific man present, but that won't
Go. The dignity OF her office demands for
her companion one of the class Of persons
before enumerated, yet the Empress and
princesses may command to their side
any gentleman they please.
II the Empress is not present at the
table the mistress Of the robe gives the
sign 20 rise, conforming. of course, to
the Kaisers wishes in that respect
The beauty and youth Of Baroness Won
kettelsr will show best on state occasions
VIXEN the Kaiser loves to revive the sDlen-
nT mas of nd
Of these olden days is the great entry
so-cGlled. After the friends and guests OF
their maiesties. sometimes from $500 to
|, eco in number assemble in the brilliantly
lit halls Of the palace. the imperial couple
enter, preceded and attended by heralds.
great disnitaries Of the crown, swarms OF
,ourtiers high officers and pages.
At the head OF the procession walk
neraids in medieval dress and large feath-
,Ted hats. playing on ancient silver bugles
hat are draped with mantling of cloth OF
gold The court marshals, carrying gold
robbed ivory STATS, follow; then come the
ord guardians of the regalia, the grand
Duke of Ujest. who bears
he crown on purple cushion; the Prince
# Hatfield with the orb of the realm,
md Prince Pless. swordbearer to the
King.
Now an interval of some half minute
platoon OF pages, good-looking boys in
carlet coats, with n profusion of silver
ace, white silk stockings. and toy swords.
nnounce the Emperor and Empress.
Since it's no longer fashionable for men
o balance crown on ones locks. the
Kaiser has on a modest silver helmet,
opred off by an eagle with outspread
wings. but his Queen is resplendent with
diaden OF precious stones, having the
reat Regent" in the centre. And while
he Chancellor OF the Empire, the gentle
can responsible to people and Parlia-
nent FOR Ills Majesty's official acts.
Iaiks ct Williams side. the mistress Of
he robe attends the Empress.