Year: 1873

I hardly need say, perhaps, that
there was not the slightest foundation for
the foolish story about the crown princess o
Prussia intriguing to get her father-in-law
to decide against America on the San Juan
question. But as the crown princess Is not
much known, and will probably play
great part some day in Germany, it may
be worth while to say few words about
her. She left England so young, having as
II were just quilted the nursery and school
room, and her subsequent visits here have
been so private, that even in England little
is known of her. She is remembered
chiefly as bright, chubby little girl, very
fresh and rosy, and always smiling out Of
the carriage window. Such glimpses as
have since been had of her have shown on
ly that she has grown more grave and mat
ronly. In her adopted country, she ap-
pears, as in duty bound, at all state festi-
walls, and never negects her public duties,
but the most Of her life is spent In COM
parative seclusion. She and her husband


from the first laid down strict rules as to
the sphere of their activity, and have scru-
pulously and consistently refrained from
anything like interference with political af-
fairs. The prince never hesitates to give
his opinion on any matter frankly and full
ly when it is ask ed for but this is not very
often, and he has always taken care to
guard against the temptation of setting up
a little Independent court of his own. As
for the princess, she is absolutely and en-
tirely cut off from politics in every shape.
Her nature and training have combined to
inspire her with profound respect for the
habits of constitutional government. Moth
ing could he more remote from or foreign
to the whole tenor of her life and character
than political meddling. Social questions
occupy her attention. She has given &
great impulse to all kinds of philanthropic
work in Germany-schools, hospitals, asy-
lums, provident societies, &c. She takes
deep interest in the women's rights move
ment, in its more rational aspects in the
efforts made to improve female education


and to expand the sphere of female labor


She carries on a constant and voluminous
correspondence with the leaders of this and
kindred movements in this country, and
they are indebted to her for much excel
lent practical advice and sympathy, as well
rs more substantial help. The Guelphs
have usually been distinguished by fair
share of shrewdness and common sense,
but the crown princess has more than this.
She is un doubtedy the ablest member of
her family; she has quick, robust intelli-
gence, deep sensibiliiy, and a strong sense
of duty. She is an excellent musician and
clever artist, both in painting and sculp-
ture, capital talker; but she has much
more than the accomplishments Of the sa-
loon. She Is an earnest and conscientious
thinker, and quite abreast of the intellectu-
al movements OF the day. In her family
circle she is devoted wife and mother.
An old friend, who saw her Immediately
after the news had arrived of the great vic
tory of Koniggratz, found her in tears for a
child she had lost, and she could talk of
nothing else. Baron Stockman, who knew
her well, used to say she possessed remark
able gifts, even amounting to inspiration.
In short, she Is a remarkable woman, of
whom we shall, in all probability, hear
more in the coming years.-London Letter
TO Ncw York Times.