New-York tribune., 1904-09-07
ROYALTY AVERSE TO LIFTS
lMonarchical Prejudice Against Ele-
UdtorS-Princess Xenia.


than use one Of these contrivances while the late
Emperor William, when going to four
score years and ten, would ascend on foot in the
same manner TO the fourth and fifth floors of the
houses at Berlin in which his particular friends
we're established in order call upon them abso-
lutsly declining 20 ride in the elevator. Il was
only toward the end OF her reign, when the injury
10 her knee rendered it almost impossible for
Queen Victoria TO 60 Up and down stairs, that she
consented TO have lifts constructed at Windsor
Castle. Buckingham Palace. at Balnoral and
Osborne, and other rulers, Including even the
progressive Kaiser. the Czsr OF Russia and the
present Pope, manifest the most pronounced preju-
dire against this essentially modern OF loco
motion from story 20 another
Most of this prejudice. OF course. arises from a
belief in the insecurity of lifts" in the danger
which they present OF injury or death. without
sny os escape, since the passengers In an
elevator. while travelling from one floor TO an
other. are Gagged in in much the manner as
in a trap And then, too. there are the oppor-
tuuities which elevators afford for attempts on
ihe lives CT the soyereigns who make thereof
These prejudices against elevators are likely to
he stl further increased by the peculiarly horrible
experience Of Prince Frederick Leopold Of Prus-
sis in Berlin. the other DAY. The prince who is
not only the cousin. but also the brother-in-law
81 the Kaiser, making a number Of purchases
~ Tippelskarchs establishment. preparatory to
leaving town for the seat OF in Manchuria
and finding himself the third floor wished to
descend. lie urged 10 use the elevator for
the purpose. The man "a charge thereof.
customed so royal passengers. Loss his head TO
such extent that when the elevator reached the
floor where the prince awaiting # he stepped
cut 10 usher the royal passenger In without push
ing the lever sufficiently Tar back.
The very moment the prince set his foot into
the elevator II began TO descend. and il only
by extremely rapid movement. and by throw
ing himself forward. tha: his other leg escaped
being jammed The attendan; attempted to jump
IN. and got caught between the roof OF the ele-
vator and the wall Of the shaft. and crushed
10 death while the prince remained imprisoned in
the elevator between tbs two floors. the mans
body acting as wedge. ana rendering IL impos-
rible 10 move the lift either up down.
There the prince remained. with the unfortunate
fellows blood dripping through the roof Of the
cage for nearly hour. Until the hTemen had
been summoned and. By releasing the body en-
shled the elevator to be moved The prince was so
overcome by this experience that ever since he has
been confined 20 his chateau at Glienecke near
Potsdam. and the doctors declare that his nervous
system has received such shock that his depart
ure for the seat OF in the Far Eas. is out Of
the question, at any rate for the present.
1t may be remembered that the Kaiser had direct
ed the prince who holds the rank of inspector
general OF cavalry in the German amy 10 join
the Russian headquarters in Manchuria for the
purpose Of watching the events there. Prince
Charles az Hohenzoliern. who married Princess
Josephine Of Belgium, and who is brother of the
Crown Prince Of Rumsnia, being assigned to Jap
snese headquarters in the field Prince Frederick
Leopold was notoriousy loath 10 90. and In view
of the present condition OF his nerves. it is con-
sdersd improbable that the Kaiser will insist upon
his departure.
Prince Ferdinand Of Bulgaria has Just appointed
Professor shishmanoT to be the principal tutor
snd governor Of his two sons the elder Of whom
Prince Boris. heir 10 the throne is ten and the
ether, cyril. nine years Of age. The professor
is at the present moment Minister Of Public In.
Eruction in the Bulgarian Cabinet But the place
70 which ne has been assigned. namely. that of
training the mind OF the future ruler Of the n-tn
oipality, is regarded as so much more in,portsnt
lucrative and honorable. that one is astonished
ar the readiness which he has displayed in exchans
ing his ministerial portfolio for the royal tutor
ship.
The professor is remarkable man. Of most en-
hghteaed and progressive views He married a
daughter OF that eminent Russian Professor Draro-
msnon, who after achieving fame as one OF the
principal members Of the faculty at the University
Of Moscow, became compromised in the revolution
ary movement was imprisoned. escaped TO swftzer-
land. and died Of the chiefs OF the Nihilist
propaganda.
Professor shshmanof has been directed by Prince
Ferdinand 10 train his royal pupils with a view to
their future attendance at the public schools at
sofia, snd this. together with the news of the
professors appointment has given great sstisfac-
ton in Bulgaria. where the people are essentially
democratic and averse TO class distinctions Indeed
one Of the principal objections that have been en-
tertained in Bulgaria toward Prince Ferdinand has
eeen the pomp and ceremony by which he has sur
rounded himself. That he has resolved 10 send his
sons 20 the public schools shows that he has
learned to appreciate the sentiments OF his sub
sects about such matters
in order 20 convey idea OF the confusion
which prevails IN Greece and Of the Indifference
an the part OF the people and even of the govern
meni. about the reigning house II may be men
TONED that when Emperor william sent long
telegram few weeks age from Norway. addressed
20 his brober-in-lsw. fhe Crown Prince OF C;resce
81 Athens, The officials Of the Eastern telegraph
company there were ir great trouble 10 ascertain
Were the prince was. As the message was urgent
ne clefhs Of the telegraph company teIephoned
Aho teiesrsphae 70 the metropolitan palaces and
country residences OF both the King ana the
Crown Prince But the address OF the Crown
Prince was utterly unknown there ana even the
members Of the government. the Minister of For
eign Affairs. the Premier and the head OF the War
Department could give information
. only when the leading newspaper xzy
applied 10 and suggested that the Crown Prince
might be IN England that the telegraph compsny
got the right track and found that the hey
apparent was at Cowes with his uncle. Ring Ed
ward and the message was thersupon forwarded to
him there
Tho fact that not only the King. the Queen, the
Crown Prince ard Grown Princess Prince George
Prince Nicholas and Prince Andrew Of Greece,
should be away from the kinSdom at the same
fiae but that neither the officials the court at
athens the Hellenic government should know
Were 10 hnd the heir apparent furnishes a strik-
ing Illustration of the mutual indifference which
iht Feignng house Of Greece and the nation enter
'aia TOY each other.
m order 10 hnd any parallel. il Is necessary 10
fecur to the case OF the Grand Duke of olden-