The times., 1901-04-07
THE DYING EMPRESS.
Some Interesting characteristics OF
Queen Victoria's Eldest Daughter.


The villa Friedrichshof-fo although
sometimes spoken of as a palace, 1t is
little more than a spacious homely coun-
try house-in which the Empress Freder-
ick lies dying has some unique features
even for the home of an Empress. It lies
embowered in the beautiful beech woods
OF the Taunus Just beyond the quaint
struggling little village of Konigstein
with its magnificent ruin Of one of the
strongest feudal castles in Germany. The
house was at one time one of the country
residences of the Dukes of Nassau. The
late duke laid out the beautiful gardens
that stretch far and wide on either SIDE
of the house until they are lost in the en-
croachng forest. 1t is a very muslcai
garden, for the late duke had 500 night
ingales brought from Italy and let them
loose in the grounds.
Empress Frederick has never been
popular favorite in her adopted country.
As princess royal of England she was
worshipped. and doubtless a bit spoiled.
She was strong minded, high-spirited'
witty. and audacious. Women Of TINS
( tvpc are not quite approved of in Prussia,
and when added to these qualities OF
heart and mind, the princess displayed
informal almost democratic tastes ana
! manners. the stiff Prussian court and the
great Bismarck We're scandalized.
The Empress loved simplicity in her
home life, and when pleasuring with her
I husband at Wiesbaden or Baden-Badeh
tshe abhorred Berlin) or at his shooting
box in the forest of Si!esia they lived in
almost rustic simplicity. When at the
latter placc the Empress looked after the
uou,trv and visited the primitive peasants
i'm their homes. herself taking part IN an
their simple festivities. In NiesbauSn
one might often see the tail form ol me
Crown Prince, accompanied by ms WIe'
picking his way among the baskets OF the
market women in the square belufe tht
palace at WiCsbadeu. and making a rev
. nrnCt worth OF purchases. and always eA-
changing a kindly word with the peas
ants ON sundays the Crown Princess,
with her husband. usually attended tue
service al the English church, ana SO AilN-
ious was she 10 avoid fuss and display
that il was only under pressure that she
would allow a seat 10 be reserved Tor
her During these holidays she was roma
uf entertaining at little informal dinner
parties. where only the minimum OF couIA
. etiquette obtained.
Since her short ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS days
. -as Empress she has mover taken part IN
, State CeremoDialS IN Germany, out no
/ movement that had as its aim the hlSher
3 education and culture OF women ever
I lacked her support. As Such she became
a force in the intellectual life of Germany
and a patron Of the best in the world OF
art and letters. In this respect the En-
press Frederick deserves special respect
from serious minded women. Tor she IS
the only member Of the English royal
family who has shown any interest in the
advancement of our sex. The late Queen
anu her daughters were the despair OF
the women who are working Tor educa-
tiCnal and industrial reforms Needle
work and cattle shows were smiled upon
graciOusly by the royal ladies. but wo-
+ mems colleges and women : professional
. enterprises were to them apparently, as
u they were unheard Of and unknown.