Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-28
Number Number Per CT. OF
- Co. aIA alAn.
LIFE STORY OF THE
GERMAN EMPRESS

Philadelphia North American.
Never was the consort Of a sovereign
of less account in her own land that the
German empress. Her influence there Is
nil: no one ever dreams Of consulting her
wishes or Of taking her feelings into con-
sideration. OF this soine two years ago
we had a curious proof. A few days af-
ter her mother died-on the eve, in fact,
Of her funeral-all Berlin was astir with
rejoicings; the streets were festooned
with flowers, flags were flying. and at
night there was an illumination. For 1t
was the emperor's birthday, as 1t CHANGED;
and II never occurred, either to him or to
his subjects, that II would be but seemly
to postpone Its celebration out of DEFER
ence to his wife N
1t is the fashion in Germany to speak
of the emplMAs as a model wife and
mother, and this she undoubtedly Is.
Prince Bismarck, indeed. used always to
maintain that she was perfect ideal OF
what the consort of sovereign should
be- But then he held somewhat peculiar
views on the subject, the result perhaps
of the bitter warfare he had to wage
against the consorts of two of his sover-
eigns. In his eyes for a woman TO have
brains was a serious blemish. and for her
TO use them was high treason. The pres
ent empress cares no more for politics
than she does for 6ee p-sea fishing. To
the rival parties in the Reichstag; and
she is quite capable Of congratulating
Eugen Richter on his sound conservative
principles. And this was, of course, &C
counted unto her by Bismarck as viz
tue.
That she is singularly sweet-tempered'
kindly and patient cannot be denied; even
when most tried-and she has been sorely
tried in her time-she has never been
known to make an ill-natured remark or
do an ill-natured action. Her devotion
to her husband is unbounded; she seems
to have no will but HIS, no wish but to
find favor in his sight. She was most
tenderly attached to her mother; yet, be-
cause nc chose to look askanca on her,
she hardly ever saw her for years, and,
because the fancy seized him 20 have his
wife by his side at some ceremony or
other, she left the poor old princess, just
as she was dying. and hurried back to
Berlin.
1t is an open secret that 1t was only to
please him that she underwent the cure
that has robbed her of her health and
strength, and wrought such havoc with
her nerves. She had the misfortune to
develop" in a way that did not appeal
TO his taste-to become fat, in fact,
whereas he admires the slim. Where
upon he insisted that this should be
changed; and changed 1t was Within
three months the empress was as sAEhl
as q girl; and from that day to this she
has never been we'll
Marriage of Convenience,
when. some twenty-one years ago, the
Princess Augusta Victoria, Of Schleswig-
Holstein was married to Prince William
of Germany, she was regarded by the
world at large. and ESPECIALLY by her hus-
bands relations. as the most fortunate OF
women; for she was an insignificant per
sonage I'm herself one without beauty.
wealth. or prestige. yet she had secured
the best part in all Europe. The marriage
was one de CONVEYANCE, Of course; 1t was
arranged by Prince Bismarck for the OK
press purpose of reconciling. the Schles-
wig Holsteiners to their lot as Prussian
subjects as a mesalliance on the part OF
Prince william; consequently the well
come accorded to the princess, on hsr ar
rival there as a bride, was more than
little condescending. Her dress was scan