The Washington herald., 1912-07-08
FOREIGN GOSSIP


Princess Victoria Louise. only daughter
of the Kaiser, has Inherited her imperial
fathers prediction for all sorts OF sur
prises and mummery, which the Berlin
press SO often has satirized. When stfli
a child she once staggered the guests
at a garden party in the Potsdam Neue
Palais by appearing in home made imi-
tation of a circus riders costume. and
trying to perform some feats, for which,
however, the costume was not quite
strong enough. That the young
princess is still that way inclined was
proved the other day. when she appeared
the Rhenish watering place. in the dress
of a Corfu peasant girl. which she had
bought surreputiously while with her
father at the Achilleon Palace
The Kaiser, In former years. used to
bring down the wrath OF his subjects by
his so-called ''play-acting." Once he rode
into the historic ruins OF Hohenkoenigs-
berg Castle. in the Upper Rhine Valley.
in the uniform of a general Of the time
OF wallenstein, the great Catholic leader
Of the "Kaiserliche." and the thirty years
war OF the Reformation. What is more
astounding. he compelled all his suite to
dress in a like manner. But when some
years later Kaiser Wilhelm tried to
repeat such a pageant by riding into the
reconstructed model Roman camp in the
Saalburg. in Nassau. as a Roman gen.
eral. at the head OF a properly dressed
and equipped Roman legion" there was
such storm of rage in the German
press which cried out that the soldiers
were not supported to be employed in
such mummeries;" that the Kaiser had
the good sense to give up the idea in
good grace. that is: he suddenly found
that he had very pressing engagement
elsewhere.
Since then popular Berlinese wit, which,
by the way. is sharp as a razor and
spares nobody, has coined this phrase for
the kaiser's benefit: Der Kaiser will
bel jeder Taufe der Taeufiing and bel
Jeder Be-erdigung die Leiche seIn." CThe
Emperor wants to be the baby at every
christening and the corpse at every fu-
neral) He takes 1t good humoredly
This geniality of the German Kai-
ser was illustrated years ago at an oc-
currence which the writer had the
good fortune to witness in the great
promenade of Berlin. "Cnter den Lin
den. The Kaiser. in civilian dress
and accompanied by only one aid. Gen.
Won Loenfeld was taking a stroll in
the twilight hour, followed by his
faithful collie. A typical RENTER" a
well-to-do citizen. living of his in
come, burgher by the name OF Mey-
er. took his constitutional just ahead
OF the two promenaders. The collie
glad of his temporary freedom and the
favor OF being with his master on a
stroll. ran in leaps and bounds ahead
and back again. smiling everywhere
showing how pleased and happy he
was. Now and then, in a spirit Of
frolic. he would rub his nose against
the n he
walking by himself. when the Kaiser
would say: Come back Mayer"
As the pedestrians entered the Par
iser Platz." leading to the famous
"Brandenburger Thor surmounted by
the statue Of Victoria and her four-in-
hand team, which the First Napoleon
had taken to Paris when he pillaged
Berlin. but which. after Waterloo had
been brought back to Berlin in tri-
umph. the solitary prOmenader turned
wrathfully. exclaiminE: Sir. is II not
enough that you should allow your dog
TO modest peaceful people. that you add
the impudence OF calling him by my
Manner
a thousand pardons." replied the
Kaiser. who. of course. was not known
10 the angry hurgher. Il pledge my
word that I did not know that your
name happens 10 be the same as my
dog bore the day he was presented to
me. and which never was changed"
Grumblingly the man retreated. say
ing something about complaining TO
the police. but he had hardly proceeded
a few PAGES when the Kaiser called to
him once more and he came back.
Please excuse my insistence. dear
sir but would you mind telling me
how your name is spelled?'
"M-e-y-e-r." replied the man taken
somewhat aback.
We'll. then" came the retort Of the
Emperor. I'm that case have 20 take
back my apology. for owe you none
My dog spells his name M-a-i-er.'