The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-02
ny LA MARaUISE DE FONTENOY.
xr lille the Kaiser Is shperstitious
N/ about many things there is
w one particular superstition with
which he has no patience what
WHIVIl IIe nus ITO Pue'Nr'eS ~ '''' NV
soeYer. although the greater

soever, although the greater
number OF his subjects, and many sem
sib1e people abroad. believe implicitly
therein. 1t Is the superstition about
the White Lady of the HohenaoIlerns,
who, according to popular legend. is
seen only on the eve OF some death In
the reigning house OF Prussia, or an
Impending disaster thereto. Indeed,
the legend was actually given credence
by so hard. headed and cynical scotch.
man as Thomas Carlyle. who refers
thereto In his History of Frederick the
Great The Kaiser has been put to
good deal Of annoyance with these
stories of the White Lady. which spread
the object of aliaying this is caus.
ing the publication OF the results or
a most searching investigation winch
was made some years ago Il pelleVe at
his instance) Into the Legend OF the
White Lady.
According to these Investigations the
appearances of the White Lady in this
past have been by no means confined,
as most people have believed. to the
old Royal Palace of Berlin. She was
never heard OF in connection there
with until 1898, but Is mentioned in
contemporary records as having APP
peared more than 100 years previously.
that is to say, in 1886. at the Castle OF
Andbach, at the Palace Of Bayreuth
and at the Castle of Plassenburs. Even
in those days her appearance was re-
garded with some suspicion; and while
many believed in 1T. others are shown,
by documents OF the day still In ex-
stence, to have claimed that the spook
IN Zquestion was merely device OF
members Of the encourage of the
Prince Electors of Brandenburg. to
either move the court from one place
to another, or else TO keep everybody
away from a particular portion Of
the castle or palace. as being haunted,
SO as to have it to themselves.
This view was borne out by an In
cident which took place in 1870. when
Elector Albert of Brandenburg, sur
named the Warrior, having insisted
upon remaining at the Castle of PIass-
enburg against the wishes OF the prn-
cipal dlgnitaries of his household. vas
confronted one night in dark corridor
by the White Lady, all shrouded in
hood Instead of being in the least bit
alarmed, the burly prince seized the
White Lady and hurled her down tho
nearest flight of stairs. and when at
PENDANTS. attracted by the noise. hur-
ried to the scene. and drew back the
hood from her face, 1t was found that
the spook in question was the princes
chancellor. Christopher Strass. and that
his neck had been broken by the fail.
Another memorable appearance OF the
White Lady WAS on the night OF
February rs. 1913. In the old palace
at Berlin, when King Frederick ]. OF
Prussia, lying dangerously Ill, caught
glimpse of her. and was SO alarmed
thereby that he died few hours
later, convinced that his time had come.
aud that the White Lady had brought
the dread summons. Subsequently 1t
was ascertained that the white robed
visitant was his third wife, Queen
Sophia Louisa born Princess of Mecklen-
burg. and who, completely crazy, had
escaped In her night dress from her
nurses and mattresses, and had wan
dered about aimlessly toward her hus-
bands room.
Thomas Carlyle goes into long details
about the appearance OF the White Lady
to Frederick the Great, and Of this no
explanation has been furnished But
In 1S4S, when after the crushing OF
the instruction in the Prussian cap
ital with much bloodshed, by Field
Marshal Wrangel. he took military pos
session Of the metropolis and estap-
lished his residence in the royal pal
ace, he sent late one night for Pastor
Buchsel. his spiritual adviser In order
to exercise a spook. Of which he had
caught glimpse in the dark room