The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
KAISfR'S WIfE'S AUNT
ONCE A RUNAWAY PRINCESS. NOW
LONG MARRIED To A COMMoNER.
As Fran Won Esmarch, Princess Hen
rfeffa OF observation-disclosures Has
spent a Happy Life.


KEEL. Jan. 2-In these days Of runaway
princesses. it is a pleasure to speak of
royal lady who reversed the saying that
mo woman ever descended from the throne
TO merge her fate with that OF COM
moner without experiencing regrets after
ward
The grand dame, happy though married,
Is Frau Won Esmarch. a resident Of this
city and the Kaiser's aunt. born Princess
Henrietta OF Schleswig- Holstein.
Your correspondent had the honor to be
received by the fine old lady and got the
story Of her life and happiness from her
own lips But might have known much
without words OF mouth. Her highness,
Professor Esmarch. the whole atmosphere
of their house, breathes happiness, con-
tentness. gentIeness and general we'll
being. Yet this royal princess and her ex-
celent husband have only in late years
acquired an income that an American bust
ness man considers essential for life of
comfort. Twenty thousand marks per year
they have. but began housekeeping on half
that amount. And there were three boys
10 be brought up, sons OF a former mar
riage.
villa Esmarch" would be thought
modest house in New York or Philadel-
phia; II is furnished in substantial. but
transformations fashion. A butler and coach
man. lady's maid and two other servants
besides the cook. make up the retinue of
this princess married 10 a commoner.
The Professors hausfrau is of tall, aris-
tocratic appearance, with a strong face,
denoting gentleness and great energy. Her
sharp. gray eyes have an inquiring look;
they seem to penetrate the meaning of
everything within reach. She is her hus-
bonds most valuable assistant in his SCI
entiic pursuits, while at the same time she
personally manages her extensive house
hold with all the thriftiness and accuracy
OF a woman born TO the task.
STORY OF THE MARRIAGE.
The professors wife, like Princess Fred
erfka of Hanover, discarded her high sta
ton in consequence of the events of 1866
The peace OF Nikolsburg settled the fate
OF her brother Frederick. the Duke-Pre-
tender of Schwleswig-H as it sim
ultaneously robbed Frederick's father, the
King OF Hanover. Of crown and country.
Frederika married her deposed fathers
adjutant and faithful servant, the Baron
Won Pawel- Rammingen. Six years after
the downfall of her royal house the Princess
Henrietta became the second wife of Dr.
Esmarch, her brothers former champion,
and surgeon general of the SchIeswfg army
Their union was a love match. the more
remarkable as both parties had long passed
the age of romantic delusion, when such
extravagapces are permissible. according
10 accepted notions; the briLe was thirty
nine. the husband-elect nearly fifty years
of age. Neither of them was blessed with
fortune. and, in addition, the professors
fame was still sleeping in the marble
quarrfes OF Carrara." No wonder all sorts
Of evil forebodings were whispered around.
Never has a princess of the blood royal
debased herself so thoroughly-never in
Germany. at least was the cry of the
legitimists
The marriage OF Princess Henrietta s
niece, Augusta Victoria, with the Kaiser
had already been arranged, though the con-
tracing parties were but children, and
William 1, TIRE new powerful relative of
the Holsteins. Who had just added the i'm
perial crown o. Germany to his other hon
ors. was loath 10 accept into his family a
mere commoner and man who, during
the revolution of 1913, had Joined the rebels.
Yet the princess was determined on having
her way, and, wOmanlike, succeeded.
AS last ruse. IT was proposed that she
should marry Esmarch morganatically, but
neither her Highness nor the doctor would
consent to such course. which more re-
Gently was adopted by another relative of
the Kaiser. the widow of the famous Red
Prince, Princess Frederick Charles of
Prussia when she married her old lover.
Baron Wagenheim. ION the left hand
The nuptials took place at Castle Prim-
kenau. the estate of the SchIeswigs on
Feb Is, 1872, and the bans were published
IN the regular form, with the execution
that the princess retains her maiden name
and inherited title in addition 10 that OF
her husband.
In the reception room hangs a colored
plate representing the armoriaI bearings OF
the Esmarchs. Our decree of nobility is
only fifteen years DID," said her Highness
with smile. but chronicles such services
10 humanity and science as very few
heraldic symbols commemorate though
their origin may be traceabIe TO the Cru
sades, or the ancient Roman emperors.p
The coats" in the left-hand quarterings
denote the old Danish heraldic devices OF
the Esmarchs, and are Of no interest 10 us:
but the additions opposite may well claim,
the attention OF the civilized world. We
see there. in place of the usual steel-eloved
fist with sword dagger, a naked arm
bandaged just above the elbow. symbolic
OF Esmarch's invention OF .'bIoodless oper-
alton on the limb" that placed him amone
the most eminent surgeons of the time
The top quartering represents a Samaritan
cross. embellished by laurels.
MADE FRIENDS WITH KAISER.
With her royal relatives the professors
wife has re-established friendly relations
by the aid of the Kaiserin, whose example
none can afford to disregard. The Kaiser
himself has grown very fond of his aunt
and never fails 10 call upon her when in
KEEL A noteworthy feature of this extraor.
binary marriage is that the professors
children by his first wife and the princess
own son live with their parents under the
same roof. making happy and thoroughly
united family circle
At the time OF my visit TO Villa Esmarcl
the princess was busy getting the house
ready for the celebration OF her husbands
eightieth birthday. Jan. 3. Her Highness
therefore. had TO divide her attention be-
tween myself and various servants and
tradespeople. bringing messages or askinr
for orders From the conversation mad
vertentiy overheard II was evident that the
princess personally attends to the minutest
details of the household.
Prince Henry's court marshal sent WORD