New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01

HOpkirk. With illustrations. SvO, PIP
81. Philadelphia: J. Il. Lippncott
Company.
1t is not drawing a distinction without
difference to state that these remi-
niscences are not so much those OF the
Queen Of Rumania, or of Carmen sylvia
the writer, as of the lovable, highly sem
, sitive, self-repressed child that became
both in later years. According 10 the
chapter headings the books contents
should be chiefly objective. but in real
ity they are subjective, with simple
charm that will appeal to all lovers Of
childhood. II is for this reason that the
pages devoted TO the old servants in her
fathers household. TO her governesses
and nurses. who having tended the pa
rents, stayed on to care for the children,
are more important to us than those
given to Arndt the poet, to Bernays
Bunsen and Karl Sohn, the only eXcep-
ton being that on Clara Schumann,
which, however. tells us little that is
new concerning that artist, while add
ing some telling touches to the picture
which Carmen sylvia draws Of herself as
a child. and. incidentally, she gives us.
with the same genuine absence of self
consciousness. many a glimpse of the
human beings behind royal ard semi
royal titles.
Born in house Of sickness and PAIN
subjected to the Spartan ideas Of cduca-
Z =; o. ~ G,~. bol &c 70 ~
Elizabeth OF Wied was turned in upon
herself and lived life of much hidden
longing and starved love. In her loneli-
ness, she tells US.
demonstrations Of affection never being en-
couraseG. in fact being rather stcrny sup
pressed in our family. all nv pcIt-up ten
dcrness poured itscslf out on my dolls, ana
also on my little horsehair pillow, which |
used 10 hug and kiss in gratitude every
night before going to sleep. II was oil the
doarcr 10 me because il was not taken
with us on our journey, and rs ] was not
allowed TO sleep on down pillow. J gen.
orally. when we were away from home,
had 10 do without altogether
This stern regime. she admits, GER
tainly stimulated her imagination, even
persuading her to butter the dry bread
lil.l WIS pant W Ntir ny = * ai'' '4'''' - -
Of the day with the most delicious Of
imaginary butter. Size began 10 scrib-
BE verses at an early age. and even
undertook a novel, but the first ambi-
tic1 she remembers. was TO be a village
postmistrCss, a dream that she amiably
changed when her brother refused to
settle down with her IS schoolmaster.
lie would be a soldier, so she compro-
missed on becoming rirGndicrc. Pocket
money was Il luxury almost unknown in
the days Of her childhood, and when
once she was the pOssessOr of y whole
4 HdIcr her JOY. her wonder ut her own
wealth knew no bounds. She was shy
about asking the price Of things be-
cause ii seemed so ndscreet. a feeling
she adds. that he's not left her to this
| day. When her grandmother's little
clock stopped ct the hour Of her death,
the child never dared to speak of the
occurrence, deep rs Was the impression
IT made upon her.
OF the manners OF her male relatives
Elizabeth OF WED received impressions
| that were not Of the best. Her grand
father. according to her description, was
Z domestic tyrant put the most charm
ing and chivalTous of men in public.
lie was a boor as wen. who, on marry
ing his second wife. closed the windows
cf the carriage In which they departed
and filed it with tobacco smoke Ia or
der 10 teach his bride her proper place
rs q German wife one Of her unclcs
played a olownish practical joke on her
mother by presenting her with a box OF
her fdvorite sweetmcat. which con-
tanned, however, an unpalatable filing
The fatigue ana tedium OF waiting for
expected guests in that day Of unre-
liable means Of travel are another rem
iniscence Of the Queens childhood, and