Year: 1872

MARIENBURG, Sept. 10, 1872.


The year l772 Is a remarkable one in the annals
OF Prussia, for In that year took place the famous
partition OF Poland. This act must be regarded IN
two aspects. On the hand it restored to Prussia
towns and places that had formerly been under
German domination and that had preserved
the German language and German Institutions; on
the other 1t took from Poland territory to which
Germany never had any claim, and which was
peopled by men who had no inclination whatever
for union with the German race.


The Germans, OF course, determined to celebrate
this year the centenary Of the day which restored
some Germans to the Fatherland, and, of course,
were in no way prevented from doing SO by the fact
that such celebration could give nothing but an
noyance to their Polish fellow subjects. 1t was q
singular coincidence that such celebration
should follow 80 close upon the meeting OF the
three Emperors at Berlin, especially as Poland was
said to he one of the subjects on which the three
Emperors were supposed to have exchanged ideas.
Another coincidence also took place. The En-
per0r william had to leave Berlin for this town on
the same day that the Gear had to leave
Berlin for St. Petersburg; and thus the two men
who represent most strongly the subsection Of
Poland travelled together to the place in which
POland's downfall was being celebrated. The two
monarcbs, however, made an attempt to take away





miles before Marienburg, and thus Emperor VIII
liam arrived here alone.


The festivities, by which the imperial visit was
celebrated had strong resemblance to festivities
on other occasions in different parts Of Ger
many. or course there were the inevitable
municipal authorities, with addresses; there
were German madens, dressed Ia Mar
gler-ite, and carrying flowers in their hands
and there were plenty Of soldiers Of all kinds.
The proceedings, however, were not as festive as
they were intended to be, for the rain came down
pitilessly nearly the whole time, and many were
the fine uniforms and fashionable dresses and Ella
borate toilets that Jupiter Pluvius spoiled on the
memorable day.


An incident in connection with the celebration
has attracted good deal Of attention Your
readers have doubtless already heard, on more
than one occasion. Of the dispute between the gov
ernment and the Catholic Bishop of Ermeland
The Bishop had dared to so far exercise
his episcopal rights as to instruct some soldiers
not to visit certain cathedral, which
had been used by the sO-caled "Old Catholics" !"
The Bishop was called upon to withdraw his prOhi-
bitl0n but he declared that he could not do so
sstently with his duty to his conscience and his
Church. 1t was supposed that the government
would hereupon have proceeded to extremites,
that the Bishop would have been deprived OF his reve
nues, &C.. but as yet no such step has been taken.
The Bishop endeavOred on the occasion Of this
festival to pave the way to reconciliation. He
issued pastoral, very loyal in its tone, and asked
permission OF His Majesty to come to Marienburg
to pay homage there But the Emperor
declined to receive the Bishop unless he made an
unconditional surrender OF the position he has
taken up. And SO the matter at present remains