New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-12
Torch Dance at Berlin Court.

Emperor williams Prussian Ministers
OF State are preparing themselves for
very disagrceable ordeal, which they VIII
BE- compelled 10 undergo fortnight
hence. on the occasion OF the wedding
Of his only daughter. Princess Victoria
Louise 10 Prince Ernest Augustus. OF
Great Britain and Brunswick. II is the
Fackeltanz. or torch dance which takes
place at the imperial palace on the
evening OF IN, day of the marriage
on these occasions tile Emperor and
Empress. having taken up their places on
the dais OF the ballroom. their guests
arranging themcelyes 10 the right and
left according 10 rank and precedence
the principal marshal OF the court name
Is. Count August Eulenburg, receives or
ders for the dance 20 begin. lie there
upon approaches the royal bride and
bridegroom. and bowling low to them, in
vites them 10 take part In the dance
The bridegroom extends his hand 70
his consort and 70 the sound OF $40"
and stately polonaise conducts her
around the huge ballroom, the process
sion being headed by twelve picturesqueiy
dfTaNeu Pages OF lAOitDAF aNA'pF'' - 49,
lively. ministers OF state. walking two By
two. those highest IN rank coming last
Each minister bears In his hand lighted
torch Of white perfumed wax. Nh-n the
procession returns 90 the point from
which II started. IN 'front.' OF the throne
the bride approaches the Emperor ana
with low courtesy invites him 10 take
part in the polonaise. and Is conducted
around the room by him. the bridegroom
going through the same Formally with
the Empress.
The bridegroom then similarly invites
each queen or lady Of sovereign RANK
present. the bride going through the
same procedure with the remaining mon
archs attending the ceremony and AFTER
that the bridegroom invites the pflh-
cesses OF the blood, two at a time. Lead
inc one with each hand while the bride
goes through the same procedure with
tvo princes OF the blood, until the total
list OF ROYAL personages has been eX-
hausted: the ministers OF state continuing
all this time TO head the procession win
their lighted heavy wax candles. which
are Of considerable size.
AS this wedding pOiOna.se usually
lasts about two hours. 1t may be readily
imagined that the ministers OF state, VINO
are all OF them elderly. and in some IN
stances very portly men, become so eA-
hausted as TO dread the ordeal. More
over. the uniform Of a Prussian Minis
ter OF State is extremely hot and heavy
with ALI It's gold lace. and at the same
tim. terribly unbecoming. II emphasizes
embonpoint and robs even the best mas
cu,ine figure OF any elegance that II may
possess. Then too. the ministers are
aware that they present. especially
toward the end OF the polonaise, a some
what sorry spectacle. inviting critical
comment and even ridicule which is
never pleasant
The late Prince Bismarck. in fact'
toward the latter portion o. his term
of office as Chancellor, was wont 10 plead
sudden indisposition as an excuse for me-
withdrawal, in order to- escape having
thus 10 march around the room bearing
= lighted candle. declaring. II am d little
hit TOO old 10 dance before these prin-
cillons" (prlnceletsl. On the OCCASION
nj the forthcoming wedding, Won Beth
ann-Hollveg. an exceedingly tall, thin
and angular man, will come last among
th, ministers In the torch dance. For
in addition 10 being Chancellor oil the
orr mir. he is president OF the council OF
ministers OF Prussia.
MARQUEE De tONTENOf.