The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-23
Court Gossip of Interesting
Epents on THO Continents

woods which stretch for miles to the
west of the city almost as far as Pots
dam. Once met a couple OF court car
riages driving slowly along the sandy
road. The carriages were followed by
grooms bearing coats and hats and
wraps. A noisy shouting attracted my
attention. and. looking up / saw that
several OF the young princes were caper-
ing up and down the slippery sand banks
lining the road, the biggest of them. the
Crown Prince. galloping along. carrying
his sister "pick-a-back." Victoria Luise
is very enthusiastic home woman. but
am sure she never enjoys a ride more
than she did that sunny morning In the
Berlin Grunewald.
Until quite recently there was lot of
foolish talk to the effect that the princess
was rather deficient in mental equip
ment Some even said that she was deaf.
others that she was dumb. II 10 impos-
slole to say how such nonsense got
abroad She was reserved at times. She
Rated the unpleasant staring of strangers
and had habit of staring in return. In
some way she heard of this rumor, and
on one occasion, to my knowledge, she
pretended deliberately to be afflicted in
this way. and when she believed that
she had impressed sufficiently the on
lockers with her affection. she expressed
great glee and was delighted with the
trick she had played them.
Victoria Luise is an admirable Eng
lish scholar. She speaks the language
with a perfect accent. and her favorits
books are the works of certain popular
English authors. In addition, she speaks
excellent French, and has a working
knowledge of Italian. Mathematics, po-
litical economy. deep historical reading
&c, she was always averse to. and her
parents were wise enough not TO force
anything on her for which she showed
absolutely no desire
That part of her education and training
which more Immediately came under her
mothers care is more thorough. She Is
an admirable housekeeper, and an eco
nomical one. She knows all about the
kitchen. the nursery. clothes, social du-
ties, and court bearing. In these mat
tiers she has nothing more to learn.
There is a story Of her confirmation
which is authentic. She had been in
structed for some months in the dogma
and history Of her faith, and when the
time for the ceremony approached she
told the court chaplain that she would
like to take a more active part in It than
had been originally intended. Her wish
her own confession of faith. This wish
was gratified. and in presence of all the
assembled court throng this young girl
recited the belief which she had herself
composed
Many of the formal duties enforced on
her by her high position must be ex-
ceedingly irksome to her. but she is
never lacking in initiative when she
wants to escape. The other, day the
Kaiserin and the princess were being
shown over some new municipal ound-
ings which they had Just opened. They
were certainly suffering from long ana
prosy harangues addressed to them
about the length. height. depth. &c. or
the various rooms and orr1ces. Inc En-
press was all smiles and interest, the
princess distinctly bored. SuddenIy sne
turned 10 an aide-de-camp ana IN a
charming but rather Imperlous voice she
said:
kindly have the carriages ordered;
her majesty is faugued.-
The poor Empress was thunderstrucKx
but she had 10 submit.
Practically "'unser Prtnzesscnen'' has
been allowed her own sweet will IN
everything. Her parents nave always
been indulgent. The Kaiser often ex-
pressed his determination that MS only
daughter should not De sacrinced TO
politics when she married. When her
Detrothal was announced people said II
was a clever move thus to unite the two
warning houses OF Guelph and honen-
zollern, but II is perfectly certain that
the union is a love match.
FLANEUR-