The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-19

American girls, accustomed to the
luxury and extravaganza of the fash
ionable boarding schools of their own
country, would stand aghast at the
rigorous life led by the young women
of noble blood who attend the most
exclusive girls school in Europe. This
is the Kaiserin Augusta Stiff of Ber-
lin, whose patroness is no less a per-
sonage than the Empress herself, for
whom it is named.
Originally, the school was intended
only for the daughters of title Off
GERS of the German army and
state, but owing to the opportunities
received from other countries, the
regulations have been relaxed in this
respect, and on the school roster are
the names of well-born girls from
other lands. including a Japanese prin-
cess and two or three Americans.
The school is situated in Chariot
tenburg, an hours drive from Berlin,
in an unprepossessing villa overlook
ing the Spree, and partly surrounded
by an unprepossessing garden. The in
terror is not much more beautiful
Brass beds with canopies are tabooed
as are relics and mementoes and jew
elry-shop toilet accessories.
The girls live in dormitories, the
smallest containing nine iron beds,
a straight chair apiece, and, at the
head of each bed, complicated con-
trivance for getting a pitcher Of wa
ter, a washbowl, a brush and comb,
and a diminutive mirror into the least
space possible.
In the rooms for the reception. of
visitors a rather different air prevails.
Still a consciousness of the important
duty of the esta blishment is conveyed
even here by the impressive paintings
on the walls, which contain more of
historical pomp and accuracy than of
tranquil beauty or artistic skill.
No Visitors Allowed.
The girl are not allowed to receive
visitors To be sure, mothers can
have an audience now and then, but
the lines are strictly drawn.
However, so desirable is the school
that applications must be sent in nine
years in advance, and then only with
proper assurance of the applicant s
eligibility. At present every place is
filled for the next five years.
In the case of foreigners being adj
mitted, it is only on the strength of
German connections or high official
positions.
The story is being told-it trans
pired not so very long ago-of an
American girl who. after being admit
ted, discovered that the honor and
pleasure were not equally proportion
ed, rebelled at the monastical sur
roundings and privileges, and refused
to stay.
Another American liked it, or, at
any rate. remained, and was accord
ed an unusual honor at the German
court. In Germany it is forbidden
that any but German girls may wear
a veil upon the occasion of their pre-
sentation at court, but a fanciful one
was permitted to grace the head OF
this American when she made her
formal bow before the Empress.
The Girls Lead n Severe Life.
Eleven years is the usual age at
which the girls are entered, to re-
main until eighteen, when they are
presented at court, go to a few balls
and are married.
The life at the Stiff is strict. Every
morning the girls are up at half past
six and ready to begin the daily pro-
gramne, which leaves them a short
time in the evening to visit with one
another In the entire day only one
hour is allowed for outdoor exercise
The students retire about nine o'clock
A governess sits in one of the straight
chairs in each dormitory while they
are doing it. This is to maintain alb
Solute silence.
When the last girl is i'll bed. the
governess repairs to her own room
This is at one end of the long dormi-
tory and is separated from II by a
door with a large round window tc
which ingenious arrangement the gov
erness can sit up in bed and observe
the doings of the whole dormitory all
night long, If she chooses.
German girls do not study a d.