Evening journal., 1913-09-23
GOSSIP OF THE COURTS
by ri NE u R.

A diplomat. attached 10 one Of the
foreign legations. and who has just
returned from abroad. where he spent
mis- summer vacation. tells me a story
in connection with the annual Kaiser
maneuver Of certain divisions OF the
German army which is too good 10
keep.
This early fall war play will take
place this year In the historic Prus-
sian province of.Silesis. and the civil
authorities az Breslau. the capital Vie
with the military established to re-
ceive and entertain the great war lord
IN a magnificent manner. hehtting the
high rank Of the illustrious visitor
and a. a manifest proof Of the en-
thusiasm and esteem of his loyal
Silesians. whom today nothing would
displease more than to be reminded
that formerly they we're subjects OF
Austria. until their rich territory was
annexed by Frederick the Great after
a war with Empress Maria Theresa,
which lasted seven years and in1amed
all Of Euope. the Prussisn King
(sneeringly daubed lie Marquis de
Brandenhourg at the court or Parisl
being forced 10 lick" the powerful
allies Of the Austrian Empress and
Queen OF the Magyars a number Of
times, as. for instance, the French
under Marshal Souhise (43,000l, at
Rossbach. in Prussian Saxony, after
he had most effectually thrashed 2 Rus.
sian force Of 10000 commanded by Gen.
Fermon. at Zorndorf. In Brandenhurg
province. all this with his $4,000 hardy.
but suffering and emacated, greuadiers.
According 70 custom. n number Of
German rulers. princes and dgnitsries
accompany the Kaiser 10 the field OF
action. For all Of them quarters have
to he provided according 70 their dynas-
tie or military rank, and as much as
possible satisfying their expressed
wishes. a wealthy and reputable eiti.
zen of Siesia was approached by a
member Of the suite of certain prince
with the request whether he would con-
sent to shelter "his highness and his
encourage Certainly replied he
with the greatest of pleasure Inn
agine his surprise when he was asked
to Immediately install five bathrooms
in the upper stories of his dwelling.
The man told the princes aid that
there was not time TO do this. But
what he did not put into words was his
astonishment al the absence of that
old time spartan simple life which
every Pmssian so greatly admires in
his soldier princes But when the gen
udecting courtier also added "his high
ness request" to have the entire build
ing thoroughly disinfected from roof
TO cellar. the honest. but plain-spoken
-. al
asked bluntly; Before or after g.
No denying the fact London is
empty" at least between Pail Mall
and Princes Gate. and an air Of some
nolence hroods over Mayfair and its
environs. The blinds are drawn a.
most of the mansions of the upper
tendon What We designate as
spring cleaning is done in London
West End in the late summer and
early tall
The Park is nearly denuded Of car
riages and automobiles and Rotten
Row Tan almost nauseating corrup-
zion Of The French Route de Roy')
has few riders except "liverists' who,
at best. make but a sad spectacle. The
clubs arc forsaken. though not closed,
and the quiet streets surrounding
Hyde Park arc more quiet than usual,
while buffers and footmen ARC out ON
board wages
But, Of course. stray visitors 70
London 90 not misinterpret these
symptoms of The "mi-ssisOn." For the
glory of the British capital has not
departed lt the palace of Westmin-
lister Is no longer devoted to leEisla-
tion there is all the more opportunity
for visitors TO explore its recesses. II
the law courts have merely architec-
tural attractions TO offer. and the inns
Of court are without their inhabitants
they do not suffer much from the
tourists point of view. One can under
stand a lover Of Dickens or Thack-
cray, as many American visitors are,
finding more enjoyment In the tenn
pie. with only its pigeons and its foun-
tain and It's church. than when IL II
busy with wigs and brief bags.
There may be few theatres open
but there are plenty OF variety houses
and an excess of moving picture shows
81 Pauls Westminster Abbey the Ma
tioual Gallery and the monument ar'
still where they were, and the Tower
Of London continues TO exhibit the
crown Jewels.
Though the parks show an array OF
vacant chairs. there are multitude OF
children who find at ST. James anc
HYDE Parks and Kensineton Garden.
the only glimpse of turf and trees an,
running water which they can enjoy. \
few tens of thousands Of Londoners arc
on holiday. hut east of Waterloo Place
their absence Is scarcely noticed.
A former ambassador Of Austria, and
81 present member Of the Cabinet, once
said in my hearing: 'If ever the Ger
mans really should think Of invading