Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-06
elsewhere. The larger portion of the
people are farmers.
Emperor Williams Villa.

The handsomest place on the island is
owned by Emperor William of Germany.
1t is Pompeiian villa, called Achillion,
because Achilles predominates in the
decorations, appearing dozen times or
more in different forms and pictures.
The villa occupies noble site six or
seven hundred feet above the sea, sur
rounded by a park. 1t was built by the
late Empress Elizabeth of Austria, whose
lonely life came to such tragic end by
the knife of an anarchist assassin at the
steamer dock in Geneva some years ago.
When Francis Joseph preferred another
woman. her pride would not permit her
to remain in Vienna and witness his
attentions to her rival. SO she came
here. and an Italian architect, named
Cavto, built for her this palace in imi-
tation of Pompeiian villa, and deco
rated it in the striking colors and bold
designs which are found on the walls
that were uncovered on the slopes of
EeSuViuS.
At her death Sir Thomas Upton of
England tried to buy the place. An
American gambler is said to have offered
two million francs for it. Emperor Fran
els Joseph would not sell his wife's home
for gambling resort and afterWard
gave the property to the German kaiser
for 100000 francs.
The kaiser comes here every spring for
a month or six weeks via Venice, on his
Yacht, and enjoys the place immensely.
Hoosevelt's visit to Berlin kept him away
this spring.
The villa is left much as it was when
Empress Elizabeth lived here. Her
chapel still remains with 4 modern
Madonna hanging over the altar. one of
those beautiful conceptions that have
been often photographed with mother
holding her babe to her cheek
The portrait of the empress hangs in
tod rh<aI,
she was in the height OF her beauty, and
Ter head is posed to show her luxuriant
hair. which was said TO have been tine
finest worn by amy woman in Europe
The only thing TIE emperor sent away
was a marble statue of Heine, the poet.
shipped to Berlin, where it was sold for
a song. The Hohenzolern family have
no love for Heine. He was too much of
u republican.
Beautiful Flower Garden.
From the terrace of the villa is wide
view of Corfu and the 1onian sea.
Through the park a winding walk leads
down to a landing where the kaiser can
arrive by boat if he chooses to do So
The flower garden is looking at its
hest this time of year. and is ablaZe
with beds of crimson tulips and peoples
forg. j-me-nots There are large groves
% rains and perSoias covered with wis
taria. ] have never seer garden with
more color, which IS heightened by the
contrast furnished by marble colonnades
balustrades and steps and stairways.
There is much statuary in marble and
bronze. \ famous marble figure of
Achilles pulling~the arrow from his heel
stands in the center of the garden.
The kaiser, who sees in that mythology
col hero a pr6t nfyne a himself & now
erecting a new heroic bronze figure of
Achilles Triumphant by Prof. GoetZ of
Berlin Achilles appears on the sun dial
also. The place Of honor on the walls
within the villa is occupied by Achilles
in d chariot race
The grand staircase is ornamented by
copies Of the famous Greek bronZes.
The Runners" The peristyle, decorated
in Pompeiian RED, is ofnamented with
bus:s OF Grecian philosophers. Demos
themes. Plato, Sophoc!es. Pericles and
others.
Out in the garden are life-size muses. in
marble. The wall is painted with An
INN ense picture representing Socrates
eaching the youth of Athens.
Ornamentation of Grounds.
There are several pagodas and kiosks
and bowers in different parts of the
grounds. One of them today is occupied
by the little children of Prince Andreas
of Greece with their nurses and gov
erness
The children assisted some old women
picking up young olives from under the
trees-which they make into pickles
Then they ate their lunch in beautiful
. marble temple.
The kaiser is not SO hospitable as the
previous owner Of Achilion. When the
Empress Elizabeth owned the place the
public was admitted free OF charge and
/ allowed 10 the rooms upon the lower
| floor of the house.
Now every visitor who comes has TO
! pay two francs admission and is allowed
| TO see nothing but the grounds Nor is
| the woman in charge inclined TO be as
| gracious as she might he 10 strangers
! She evidently considers them a nuisance
! and does not try to conceal her opinion.
! While We were waiting at tie gate of
! Achilion the King OF Greece whirled by
| III an automobile with two of his sons
! and two of his grandsons. He goes out
| twice a day for A ride through the is
| lands and loves to see the peasants in
| their homes.
! He stops 10 talk with the old women
| working in the olive groves and the
! vineyards He asks the farmers about
! their crops in a friendly way. and gets
| as close to the people as a king can under
| the circumstances.
! tie has villa in the suburbs of the
/ city, a house &C about twenty ro ms, hid
h r,, st,.I 81 n II