The St. Louis Republic., 1900-12-09

etlal COIreSpOnut nee OF ne Snlludy
Berlin, Dec. 4.-BaronesS Won ketteIer. the
heroic Detroit girl who suffered tenfOld all
the torments Of the Pekin siege. at the out
Set of which her distinguished husband,
Ambassador from Germany, was fouly
murdered, is to have unusual honors con-
ferred upon her when she comes TO Berlin
in compliance with the kaiseT's invitation
1t has been stated that Emperor William
would make her Iady-in-waiting TO her
Majesty. but that is Il mistake. The tue
of lady-in- waiting, or Hotdame, would hard-
ly conform to the BaronessS present rank.
for her ladyshiD is already styled AM
bassadress' and Excellence and, az
Baron Ketteler died at his post. his emf
nent rank and title belong to his widow
for life just as 1t would have belonged 10
him IL he had retired with honors after
reaching the age limit
As a matter OF fact. the Kaiser has re-
solved to revive the post of Mistress of the
Robe for the former Miss Maud Cass AIed-
yard This office has long been extinct at
the Prussian court. and the old robility
which maintains that born ladies' or titie
alone have claim 10 it are raising heaven
and earth to prevent the terrible siignt or
their dignity, If possible.
A mere American" "a woman without
ancestors" "a woman whose father Is in
trade have precedence over the ancient
sovereign houses! INTER den Linden. Pariser
Platz, the whole west end OF Berli, Is
nouncement. but the diSgruntled ariStocrat5
might as well accept the inevitable with
good grace, for Kaiser Wilhelm Is resolvei
TO give Baroness Won ketteler right royal
proof of his esteem and or the gratltlce ne
feels for her late husband.
The position Of Mistress Of the Robe car,
ries with 1t the title of "Excellency, and
one of the reasons why il fell into disuSe
was the desire to avoid friction WITH the
Empress grand mistress. Countess Brock Brock
tion. As Baroness Won ketteler is already
styled "EXcellency," rivalry between The
ladies on that account Is not to be
The Empress Is said to be delighted with
the augmentation to her personal entour-
footing as that OF Queen Victoria. Queen
Victoria's Mistress of the Robe Is the
Duchess of Buccleuch. who combines with
the office that of grandmistress.
Outranks High Aristocrats.
According to the Kaiser's wish. Baroness
Won Ketteler Will be coordinate IN every
way with Countess Brockdorn. who now
decides questions OF etiquette at court and,
as representative of the Empress, dictates
its social policy. In the order Of the great
officials of the crown the american Baron
cept those of the blood royal. Countess Bu,
low, wife of the Imperial Chancellor, ARD
be- particularly hard on Countess Keller,
upon whom her Majesty conferred the ctir-
acter of Dame du Palais only some little
time ago, after she had served as Hof-
dame for more than ten years. Fraulsin
Won Gersdorff and Countess Armsard ,von
StollberE. both styled lady-in-waiting. MAKE
tlp the rest of the Empress's titled retinue
Countess Brockdorff nee Baroness l.oen, a
woman OF 50, is of very distinguished ap-
pearance; Countess Keller is perhaps ten
years younger. and more noted Tor hcr
agreeable character than for good looks.
Fraulein Won Gersdorff won't see 10 again
and the Kaiser never tires maa,as a,l,,'o auh oi
Countess Armpard alone has the prettinesS
and vivacity Of youth: born in 1877, she Is
the youngest Hofdame ever employed in Fer
Majesty's service. You can undcrstand,
then, why Berlin is now admlting the poi,
traits of Baroness Won ketteler eNhlniteu
in the show windows of all the fashionapie
stores.
The American Ladys Apartments.
If Baroness Won Ketteler can be persuaded
TO take up her residence IN Germany an
apartment consisting OF four pdriors, be
sides bedrooms. wardrobe rooms ana SER
wants quarters, will be set aside for her at
either of the royal palaces IN Berin, rOtsr
else the court may stay for any length OF !
time. The apartments at the Berlin SchioSs
and Potsdam Neues Palaise intended Tor
her use are among the best in the castles |
named second only to those occupied by
the Emperor and Empress. and furnished |
very elaborately-
Six carriage horses are at her ladyships |
disposal besides saddle horses that the En- !
presss stable furnishes. The Mistress OF
the Robe is entitled to a gaia codch ana |
four on state occasions. and her coach- |
man and groom wear the imperial livery.
salary anu Perquisities.
The salary of the Mistress of the Robe |
is 30e9 marks per year, whici is equal 10 !
as many dollars in the United Sta-es. even
without the perquistes. The latter in |
clude. besides lodging. servants. etc, as |
set forth. also medical attendance fee of !
charge and board for the incumbent and
her private servants. The latter IS no ,
small item. considering that the court fire.
uuently travels in Germany and abroad. !
ON all journeys of the court the Mistress |
of the Robe takes her place III the I'M
perial palace cars
Dimes With Royalty.
The Mistress of the Robe is entitled to a ,
place at the royal table on all state and
family occasions, but usually takes cuy
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 EXcellency
sits at the side of Prince Ambassador or
officer who holds Lieutenant Generals
rank, at the very least. She might p-o-
fer to talk to some great artist scientific |
man present, but that won't 10. The dig
nlty of her office demands for her COM |
panion one of the class of persons before |
yet the Empress or Princess
may command TO their side any gen |
teman they please.
If the Empress is not present mt table the !
Mistress of the Robe gives the sign to
rise conforming, Of course. to the Kaisers
wishes in that respect.
Naturally, the Mistress of the Robe sets
the fashion for the other court ladies' All
so to dinner and supper in grand toilet,