Ex Libris C. K. OGDEN ^ ,.m:=.aii-^^M^-^,m;.^»r=m^::^W^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES The Emperor of Germany at Home THE EMPEROR WILLIAM II. The Emperor of Germany at Home By MAURICE LEUDET Translated \yy Virginia Taylol'k "The whole army knows, and the whole country agrees, that the forty-two millions of the inhabitants of Germanj- and her eighteen army corps, would sooner die, than yield a stone of that which my father and Prince Frederick- Charles conquered with their strong sword." — Sficccti nl Fraitkforf, i88S. With Sixty-Seven Illnstratioyis London Hutchinson <^ Co, Paternoster Row 1898 Printed by Hazell, Watsou, & Viney, Ld., London and Aildsbury. PREFACE. NO sovereign in Europe excites a more lively curiosity than William II. The young Emperor of Germany, since he ascended the throne of the Hohenzollern, has never missed an opportunity of putting himself forward. His every act and movement has been recorded in the newspapers, and we learn that, in his consuming energy, he finds time to occupy himself at the same time with politics and art, with political economy and literature, with military science and music. If we have not had very obvious proof of his artistic or literary talent, we cannot denv his passion for oratory and his need of showing himself off and causing himself to be talked about. A few months ago a German writer, Mr. Oscar Klaussmann, published, at the Kolher library at Minden, an interesting book on the successor o\ Frederick III., with the object of initiating us into the smallest details of the Emperor's lite in his palaces 1057528 Vlll Preface at Berlin and Potsdam, and of that of those who most immediately surround him. A translation of this little work would have seemed rather dry to French readers. In the following pages I have contented myself with borrowing anecdotes, and facts from him, omitting such comments as I could not make my own. Mr. Klauss- mann represents William II. as an eminent man, gifted with all the best qualities of heart and mind. It was impossible to me to subscribe to such a panegyric. Without having the slightest desire to write a pamphlet against the master of Germany, whose personality, I acknowledge, is attractive in certain aspects, I consider that one ought to guard oneself against extravagant praise of him. On the other side of the Rhine, the arbitrary and martial proceedings of the Sovereign excite the en- thusiasm of the thinkers no more than the sympathy of the masses of the populace. It is true that the army applauds him as its Chief, and when he rides in front of the troops in a brilliant uniform he knows how to awaken hurrahs. In France we appreciate the fine acts of courtesy which he has, on several occasions, rendered to our country, but we do not forget, we shall never forget, the words which he uttered at Frankfort, two Preface ix months after he had succeeded his father. It had been rumoured that Frederick III. had had some idea of restoring Alsace and Lorraine to PVance. William II. declared this to be a shameful imputation on the memory of the dead Emperor, and he added, amidst unanimous applause, " There is but one mind on this point, that our eighteen army corps and our torty-two millions of subjects will be left on the field of battle, sooner than permit a single stone of that which we have won to be taken from us." Impartial history cannot definitely judge an emperor only just beginning his reign ; but the documents which are at our disposal enable us to throw a little light on the figure of William II., in letting us know something of the life of Prince William, as child and as student at the University ot Bonn, and as Sovereign in the midst of his family and in the course of the various events of daily life. In a word, it is William II. in private life whom I have undertaken to present to the public, while at the same time endeavouring to delineate, in a {^\n pages of personal recollections, the student life in the German Universities, which the Emperor of Germany himself led for two years. X Preface I have also thought it well to examine, in a final chapter, a political problem which has a very real existence : is it to the interest of France to ally herself to Germany, as William II. seems to invite her to do, in an attempt to break the English power ; or should she, on the contrary, make advances to England, in order to lay the foundation of a Franco-Russian- English alliance which would know how to assure peace with honour ? iilllllUfii PRI^■CESS SOPHIA OF TRUSSIA CONTENTS I. THE ANCESTORS OF WILLIAM II. . . .3 XL PRINCE WILLIAM 2J III. THE APARTMENTS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY . 6 1 IV. WILLIAM IL AT TABLE 85 V. THE LITTLE KINGS 97 VL ^^ARRIAGES AT COURT 1 25 VII. THE IMPERIAL WARDROBE I35 VIII. THE STABLES I47 IX. THE COURT — THE SUITE — THE SERVANTS . 161 X. ONE OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY'S WORK- ING DAYS 181 XL JOURNEYS AND EXCURSIONS . . . .193 XII. THE emperor's REVENUES .... 209 XIIL FETES AND CEREMONIES AT THE GERMAN COURT. THE NEW YEAR .... 219 xii Contents CHAP PAGE XIV. THE NATIONAL FETE 225 XV. WILLIAM II. EEFORE THE CAMERA . . 237 XVI. COURT DRESS 247 XVII. THE CHAPTER OF THE ISLACK EAGLE . . 253 XVIII. THE FETE "OF THE CORONATION AND OF THE ORDER" 26 1 XIX. BALLS 267 XX. FOREIGN PRINCES AT COURT . . . 275 XXI. THE DUEL IN GERMANY . . . . 281 XXII. THE GERMAN EMPEROR IN PARIS . . 297 XXHI. WILLIAM THE SECOND'S SCHEMES. — THE FUTURE 333 CHAPTER I. THE ANCESTORS OE WILLIAM II. CHAPTER I. THE ANCESTORS OF WILLIAM If. WILLIAM II. likes to recall the memory of his ancestors, and particularly the memory of" his grandfather, the Emperor William I., and that of Frederick the Great, The first symbolises to his eyes the unity of Germany ; the second, the political and military genius of Prussia ; Royalty surrounded by its million literary and artistic luminaries. Let us conjure up these two historic figures, un- equally great, but of which Prussia has a right to be proud. 4 William II. at Home The Court of Prussia, in the year 1712, the year in which the Great Frederick was born, resembled little the Imperial German Court of to-day. It was much more modest, and shone with much less brilliance. The discipline imposed on the King's son was of a some- what uncommon severity. Never was there a harder youth than the youth of PVederick II. His father, Frederick-William I., had no sympathy for anything but the career of arms, rude combats and bloody battles. His one dream was that Frederick II, should be before all things a soldier ; and he therefore gave him an education calculated to prepare him for the military profession. The young man's tastes led him at first towards other studies, and in his early years he felt nothing but repulsion for the profession which he was made to learn with extreme harshness. Letters attracted, fascinated him. Madame de Roncoul, a PVench refugee, had taught him the first elements of this pursuit. A Frenchman, M, Duhen, had continued his literary education and had taught him to realise the genius of French literature. From his mother, Sophia-Dorothea, he received nothing but encouragement to pursue this path. His father, on the contrary, was strongly opposed to what he called " the crotchets of a sick mind." " Frederick," said he one day, " is nothing but a coxcomb, a French wit, who will undo all my labour." The Ancestors of William IL 5 His son's resistance exasperated him ; he would have hked to disinherit him and oblige him to abdicate in favour of the second son. Herr von Grimkow and the Count von Seckendorf, fivourites of the King, strongly urged him to take this course ; but the young Frederick contented himself with replying to his fither: " Declare publicly that I am a bastard, and I will cede the throne to my brother." Frederick-William went to the length of ill-treat- ment to break the will of the Prince, who wrote to his mother: "I am in the last stage of despair: The King has quite forgotten that I am his son, and has treated me as if I were the lowest of men. I went into his room this morning as usual ; as soon as he saw me, he seized me by the collar, and hit me with his cane in the most cruel manner possible. I tried in vain to defend myself; he was in such a terrible rage that he could not control himself, and it was only when he was tired out that he left off." On another occasion his father tried to strangle him with the cords of the curtains. This unworthy treatment, inflicted on a noble nature, had, as a consequence, the flight of Frederick, who conceived the idea of going to seek a refuge with his uncle, George II., King of England. The Margravine of Bayreuth, Frederick the Second's sister, has left us some memories which do not lack piquancy, of this time. She represents her fither, 6 William IL at Home Frederick-William I., as a niggard, without passion except for the god of gold, having no objection some- times to leave his family in difficulties, while he showed prodigality towards his favourites. When he ascended the throne, thos^ who wished to please him wore helmet and cuirass; everything was ruled by a military and brutal spirit. Women left a Court where they were treated with little consideration. The King, in fact, maintained " that it was necessary to keep them under the rod, otherwise they would dance on their husbands' heads." It is easy to understand that his son Frederick and he had violent differences. The two natures were so dissimilar ! The unfortunate young man, when he fled from the Court, was unable to execute his plan of going to England. Stopped at Frankfort, he was taken before the King, his father, at Wesel, and in the presence of General Moscl the following scene, which I have transcribed from the Memoirs of the Margravine of Bayreuth, was enacted. " Why did you wish to desert .^ " " Because you have not treated me as your son, but like a vile slave." " You arc then but a cowardly deserter, who has no sense of honour." '' I have as much as you. 1 have but done what The Ancestors of William IL 7 you have told me a hundred times you would do, if you were in my place." Upon this the King drew his sword, and would have transfixed his son, if General Mosel had not hastened to prevent the murder. " Thrust me through, sire," he cried, " hut spare your child." The King had Prince Frederick, shut up in the fortress of Custrin, and kept him there a prisoner for eighteen months, subjected to the most rigorous treat- ment. One of the accomplices of the Prince's flight, Katt, was beheaded before his eyes. The King forced his son to witness this spectacle, the Prince being himself at the time under sentence of death. The Count von Seckendorf was compelled to intervene, and declare that only the Diet could judge a prince of the Empire. The King, in fact, had determined to order the execution, and was only induced to yield by political considerations. But in pardoning the Prince he " forbade him all recreation — above all, that of reading and writing in French." Succeeding to the throne in 1740, Frederick II. proved himself to have a more humane soul than his father ; but with him the head was stronger than the heart. Well known are his glorious campaigns, which placed him in the ranks of the greatest captains of history. Though in his youth he had hated the profes- 8 William IL at Home sion of a soldier, as King of Prussia he understood the necessity of having a well-disciplined and powerful army. He was anxious to improve and develop all that had been begun before him, considering with reason that there are traditions which it is dangerous to destroy too suddenly. This is what he explained in a letter to his sister a short ♦"ime before being pro- claimed king. " It is supposed that I will squander all my treasures, and that money will become as com- mon as pebbles at Berlin, but I shall take good care not to do that. I shall increase my army, and I shall leave everything on the same footing." He carried out this wise programme, and left to his country a heritage of glory which his powerful genius had known how to create. He had great pretensions from a literary point of view. His friendship with M. de Voltaire, who often flattered him and sometimes criticised him, led him into a long and interesting correspondence with the great philosophical French writer. He rivalled him in liveliness, and even in wit. He was less happy when he composed verses ; he was not born a poet, but his passion for poetry misled him. M. Dieudonne Thiebault, who has written " Recollections of Twenty Years' Residence in Berlin," records, on this subject, a conversation which he had with the King, and which is edifying. The Ancestors of William IL 9 " ' Have you never written verses ? ' F^rederick II. asked me one day. " ' Sire, 1 wrote them till I was twenty ; but I have remarked that it is a work which takes up much time and from which little profit comes ; therefore, on crossing the Rhine, I resolved to write no more.' " ' I pity you, and I fail to understand you. Writing verses is my greatest pleasure ; it is a great joy and a perfect recreation.' " Frederick II. was particularly fond of Racine. "What, in your opinion," he asked M. Dieudonne Thiebault, one day, " is the most beautiful and the most sublime French poem ? " "* Athalie,' sire." " I am glad to hear you say so. I have always thought the same." Of French poets, the one he did least justice to was the good La Fontaine. When a certain Borelly main- tained that La Fontaine was one of the greatest of geniuses, Frederick II. exclaimed, " A genius, no doubt, but only in little things. La Fontaine composed nothing but fables ; he had not breath enough to rise above that limited and childish style. One ought not to allude to him in speaking of great men." In the course of this book we shall see that William II. has not the same love for Racine as his illustrious an- cestor had. In William II. it is the soldier that rules. lo William IL at Home His ancestor, Frederick II., liked luxury and display. He was never so happy as when, dressed in his Royal robes, he was seated on his throne, surrounded by the princes, his brothers, in full uniform, the Knights of the Black Eagle, the chamberlains, with their gold keys, and the ministers, in Court dress. In his reign, the Court was a most brilliant one. In the reign of William the First's father, Frederick- William III., a return was made to simplicity in manners and morals ; there was little etiquette observed at Court, and the greatest economy was commanded by the King of Prussia and his wife, Queen Louise. It was, moreover, a time of adversity for Prussia, which was conquered at lena by Napoleon I., and seemed at that moment unable to recover from her crushing defeat. In succeeding to his father, Frederick-Wil- liam III. made a declaration which was not altogether well-considered. " The King ought to live on the revenues which he had as Crown Prince." Caring little for Court etiquette, he always, in speaking of the Oueen, called her " my wife," or even " Louise " ; while the Oueen, when alluding to the King, said, " my husband," instead of " His Majesty." A picture of the period represents Frederick-William III. and his wife seated on a sofa, gazing fondly at their two eldest children, the Crown Prince standing beside his father, while Prince William, The Ancestors of William II. 1 1 who was then very young, is carried in his mother's arms. After the birth of Wilham, on March 22nd, 1797, King Frederick-William II. sent by his minister QUEEN LOUISE AND HER SON WILLIAM Herr von Buch, to his daughter-in-law Princess Louise, the diamonds which had belonged to the widow of Frederick the Great. The Crown Prince and his wife were much pleased with this present. The Crown 12 William 11. at Home Prince had indeed an undiluted admiration for the conqueror of Rosbach, and everything that was con- nected with him was of inestimable value in his eyes. Hung on the wall in his bedroom there was to be seen a beautiful drawing representing his illustrious ancestor lying dead on his camp bed, his face, up to his eyes, covered with his officer's cloak. Prince William was not quite ten years old when he was confided to the care of an under officer, Bernstein, to learn military exercises. At this time, his mother wrote to the King, her husband, who had succeeded to the throne eight months after the birth of his second son. " Our son William, if I am not mistaken, will be simple, loyal, and full of common-sense, like his father." Prince WilUam and his brother, who reigned under the name of Frederick-William IV., received lessons from a certain Delbruck, provost of a school at Magde- burg. This gentlemen was in days to come a true friend to them. When, full of years, he died, in 1830, his two Royal pupils raised a commemorative monument over his grave at Zeitz At ten years old the future Emperor of Germany was called a sub-lieutenant, and on this occasion his father made a patriotic speech on the honour it was to him to take rank in the Prussian army. A year before he had witnessed a cruel sight ; his The Ancestors of William II. 13 mother, a fugitive after the battle of lena, obliged to take refuge in the fortress of Memel, " My children," Queen Louise had then said, amidst her sobs, " there is no longer a Prussian army. Weep now, but some day WILLIAM I. save and avenge your people." Alas ! Prince William did not forget his mother's exhortation. The misfor- tunes of his family and the humiliation of his country had been the best education for him. 14 William 11. at Home It WHS in the war with France, which the Germans call the " Frieheitskrieg " (War of Freedom), that he received his baptism of fire. He had expressed regret that he had not been among the number of combatants at Bautzen and at Leipzig, and he had been made first lieutenant to console him, which drew from him the remark, that shows his warlike character, " How can I be promoted when I am left by the fireside ? " At the age of seventeen he was present, as captain, on the Plain of Pantin, in the battles which preceded the capitu- lation of Paris. Fifty-seven years afterwards he was proclaimed Emperor of Germany in the palace of Versailles, after a renewed period of mourning for the French nation ; after a second surrender of her capital. But in the midst of victory the Germans gave them justice. "Ah ! What brave men ! " cried William I. when he saw the fine French soldiers fight and die beneath the walls of Paris. Colonel at twenty years old, he continued to study very closely all questions relating to the army, questions which were principles to him — above all, when a nation was conquered and wished to find, some day, the opportunity for a brilliant revenge. He went to St. Petersburg, to Varsovie, to France, and gave himself up to an exhaustive study of the French and Russian armies. During these travels about the world, with the object The Ancestors of William IL 15 of seeing and comparing, romance came to stir the soldier soul. Prince William fell violently in love with Princess Elise Radzivill. But he had to reckon with those celebrated State reasons which undertake to arrange the affairs of the heart as of other things. The princes of Prussia had no right to marry any but princesses of Royal blood. It was in vain that some of the Prince's friends pointed out that the Princess was descended from a Polish dynasty, and was therefore as much of Royal blood as the princes of the house of Hohenzollern. The King, Frederick-William III., would willingly have allowed himself to be con- vinced by the entreaties of the Prince and his friends ; but the third son, Prince Charles, who had just married a princess of Weimar, took up an inexorable attitude, which prevented Prince William from seeing his dream realised. At the instigation of Prince Charles, his father-in-law solemnly declared, at the Court of Weimar, that if Prince William married the Princess Radzivill, he would claim the right of Prince Charles's children to succeed to the Prussian throne before those of the elder brother. The King, therefore, foreseeing serious ijiternal strife in his family, invoked State reasons. Prince William submitted, and, a short time afterwards, con- sented to give his hand to the eldest daughter of the Duke of Saxe- Weimar, whose youngest daughter was 1 6 William 11. at Home already married to his younger brother, Prince Charles. It was a marriage entered into for reasons of State and policy, and resulted in a household that was not very united, except over the common glory of the German people, when ihey were victors on the field of battle. Oueen Augusta was cruel enough to announce, herself, to l*"rcnch prisoners, the disaster of Sedan, and made the news more bitter by adding details of the PVench defeat, which a woman of any heart would have abstained from alluding to. The struggles which King William had to enter into with his parliament, are well known. With the support of Bismarck, he succeeded in beating down all resistance, and also, thanks to the genius of his chancellor, he succeeded in realising the vengeance that his mother, Oueen Louise, had enjoined on him as a sacred bequest. Instead of surrounding himself with courtiers, he summoned to his side counsellors, whose eminent talents should assure to his reign a course conducive to the preservation of the best interests of the State. If it was a Bismarck who secured for the kingdom of Prussia the destiny of uniting Germany under the Prussian ^^gis, it was a Moltke who gave the army that strength, that cohesion, that confidence in itself which prepared it for victory. These two great servants are inseparable in history from the reign of William I. This sovereign had learnt to know men. The Ancestors of William II. 17 and, while holding to his personal opinions, especially on the organisation of the army, he allowed himself to be easily persuaded by those gifted counsellors whom he had been wise enough to call to his assistance. M. Adolphe Brisson, when at Kms last August, visited, in company of the manager of the Springs, the apartments occupied by William I. when this little town, where Germans and French then fraternised, was the theatre of the last negotiations before the declaration of war. "He took me," said he, "into a suite of rooms high and long, but somewhat narrow, decorated with frescoes in the Italian style, which is the most irritating of all styles. Some of our sub-prefect's offices in the interior have this modern appearance, solemn and pretentious. The five or six rooms that my guide showed me comprised the whole of the more than modest dwelling where the aged Sovereign came every year to rest from the cares of government. Nothing had been changed. 1 lere was his room, the table where he signed the official papers which a courier brought him each day ; the basket where, after he had sealed his letters, he threw the smoking ends of sealing wax, which once or twice caused a conflagration ; here was the armchair where he took his siesta, and the corner where he ordered his iron bedstead to be put — a soldier's bed ; here was his wash-hand-stand, furnished 2 I 8 William II. at Home with white ware, in all respects exactly like that which is placed for the common use of travellers. And finally, here was the drawing-room where he received distinguished guests, the dining-room, with an oak sideboard, carved in the commonest manner, and a kind of recess, where the officer who fulfilled the office of his secretary, slept." There it was, as M. Adolphe Brisson remarks, that the most terrible drama of contemporary history was enacted. The landlord of the Kurhaus, who was " a humble and attentive " witness, thus recalls the phases of it : — " That year the town was very brilliant. The French flocked into it. One heard nothing but French spoken in the Casino. It was well known that there had been some discussions between the two countries, but everybody was convinced that matters would be arranged ; one had confidence in His Majesty's wisdom. He was such an upright man, and so simple and good to his subjects. You may believe me. . . . he did not wish tor war. I remember this incident as if it were happening now. The French ambassador, M. Benedetti, had arrived in the evening of July 8th. At nine o'clock in the morning he was received in the drawing-room by the King, who made him stay to breakfast. Now, do you think he would have done him that honour if he had had bad intentions ? . . . The Ancestors of William II. 19 On julv I I th 1 lis Majesty came out of his room bareheaded, and I could see very well that he was pre-occupied. He was accompanying, as far as the head of the staircase, Herr von Werther, whom he THE EMPRESS FREDERICK AS A GIRL. was sending to France ; I was there by accident, and I overheard these words, spoken with great energy : ' Make haste. 1 hope that you will set this misunder- standing right.' Therefore we were very much 20 William II. at Home astonished when, three days afterwards, war was declared. All the French who were staying here and in 'the other hotels asked for their bills and packed their portmanteaus in a great hurry. ..." ■THE EMPRESS FREDERICK AT THE AGE OF SEVENTEEN. This anecdote, which is part of what it is customary to call \\\t crumbs of history, tends to relieve William of the responsibility of the war. But in fact, we know to-day who was the person responsible for the mur- The Ancestors of William IL 21 derous struggles of that tcrrihlc year. i^or a long time he tried to gain credit tor the opinion that the war was desired by France, and sought for by her, and that Germany had simply accepted her challenge. But this responsible person— who was no other than Prince Bismarck — has since cynically avowed the forgery he THE EMPRESS FREDERICK AT THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE. practised. By changing the text of a despatch, he rendered the war inevitable. That war was fortunate for his country, but the blood which was shed will fall for ever on his head, and his name will be for ever pronounced with horror and will be eternally cursed by the mothers of France, Alsace and Lorraine. 2 2 William IL at Home Ems, to whose waters William I. used most faithfully to resort, has preserved a pious memory of the founder of the actual German Empire. His figure is every- where, in the shop-windows, in the barbers' saloons, in the hotels; his statue, in marble, bronze, or plaster, is seen in almost every public place. Photographs repre- sent the Sovereign in civil ancl military dress; some of them show the features of the Empress Augusta beside his. It seems as if it were wished to idealise that soldier form by forcing a belief in his love for that Empress, who did not exactly hold the first place in his heart. Do what can be done, it will be difficult to credit the legend on this point. On the other hand, the determined character of the man as King and Emperor, his success on the field of battle, his knowledge of men, thanks to which he knew how to make the greatest men work for the good of his country, must assure to William I. a great place in the history of Germany. ,MP10>S 1 KKUF.RICK IN A slAll. KtJU.M ul Ul.R rAI.ACi: CHAPTER II. PRINCE WILLIAM. 25 CHAPTER II. PRINCE WIL L I A M. CHILDRF.N, as x rule, have no history. But the children of Sovereigns always have one, and in the HohenzoUern family it is always a serious one. The little Prince William was provided with an instructor, ... a military one after he attained the age of seven, and at eight years old the young boy exacted a salute from the sentinel who should have pre- sented arms to him. The edu- cation of the sons of the Kings of Prussia has always been con- fided to soldiers ; hardly out of the cradle, they wear the uniform of an officer, and pictures and portraits repre- sent them as doing sword or musket exercise. Frede- rick the Great was portrayed as beating the drum at the age of three years, and Carlyle has expressed 27 THE EMPEROR WILLIAM II. AGED TWO YEARS. 28 William IL at Home his admiration for the little drummer. The great ancestor of William II. was brought up, as we have seen, in a severe school, submitting to the worst treatment, brutal- ised by his parents, and treated like a servant of olden times. These more than Spartan prin- ciples were for a long time followed by the Hohenzollerns, who kept their children in a state of the most absolute de- pendence. One day Frederick II. w a s entertaining a French traveller who was going to accompany him the following day to a great review in Silesia. His nephew and heir, who was to reign under the name of Frederick-William III, and who was at that time forty years old, was with his uncle. This French guest of Frederick II. writes thus on the subject of the future king : "The heir presumptive lives in a brewer's house, and he is THE E.MI>l.Kui; \'. ILllA.M 11 AGED FOUR YEARS. THE EMPEROR WILLIAM II., AGED SEVEN YEARS. THE FIRST PORTRAIT OF THE EMPEROR, TAKEN IN ENGLAND AUGUST 1862. Prince William 31 not allowed to absent himself for a single night without the permission of the King." Frederick- William III. married Queen Louise, and the influence of this high-souled and refined woman happily brought about a change in the brutal traditions THE EMPEROR WII-IIAJI II. AGED NINE YEARS. THE EMPEROR WH-LIAM II., AGED TEN YEARS. of the family. When she died, in 18 10, she was regretted and wept for by her relatives, especially by her two eldest sons, Frederick-William IV. and William I. The letters of this last-named prince, which have been recently published, show to what 32 William 11. at Home ^d. a point his filial respect for his father was carriec Passion itself was sacrificed to his tenderness for his parents. This respect was not so great in the case of William the First's son, Frederick III., and it appears that the present Emperor does not always regulate his conduct according to his father's advice. He displays an extraordinary self-will which takes little account of his education, or the examples which have been set him. But let us return, and follow the fiite of Prince William. At the age of fifteen, (Mie year after his first Communion, he was con- firmed ; and in church, in the presence of his pastor, his family, and his friends, he uttered a little speech, a real confession of faith, of which these were the closing words : "I know that great and difficult duties await me, but my strength will develop, and I will pray to God that it may — that God may help me ! ;Amen." A short time afterwards he entered the college of Cassel as a pupil, being the first Hohenzollern who lllE K.MrKKOR WILLIAM 11. AGED FOURTEEN YEARS. Prince William 33 went to a public school. Old William and the Iron Chancellor had fought energetically over this matter, but Frederick III. and his wife, whose liberal ideas became more evident every day, would not allow themselves to be intimidated by any opposition, and gained their point. Young Prince William took the train for Cassel with his brother Prince Henry, and his tutor, Doctor Hintzpeter. The two Royal children were lodged at Cassel in an old feudal castle, where they spent three years of their lives, out of school hours. By the express desire of his parents, Prince William lived at school on a footing of absolute equality with his fellow pupils, and the professorsi made no difference between him and his comrades. One only disregarded this rule. Knowing the Prince to be very backward in his Greek studies, he thought he would please him by telling him that the composition for the following day would be taken from the historian Xenophon, and what the chapter would be. The Prince listened to his master without saying a word ; but the following day he was the first to arrive at the class. He took a piece of chalk, and, going up to the blackboard, he wrote in large letters the information that had been given him. He would not benefit by a favour which would have given him so great an advantage over his schoolfellows. His 3 34 William 11. at Home relations with all the pupils were not only cordial, but sympathetic : everybody was fond of him. As far as his masters went, they praised his application to his studies, but they did not consider him amongst Prince William the most talented in the college. "i5.^iir„. -I1-\1MI AM) MARKET FOUNTAIN. was in truth a middling scholar, while his brother Henry, on the contrary, took the first places. The future Emperor left the college of Cassel at eighteen, holding tenth place out of seventeen, but having taken with good marks the ylbiturieuten-Examen, the German B.A. Moreover, he received one of the three medals reserved for the three most studious pupils. This Prince William 37 distinction made a great impression on him, and he thanked the director in the following words : " I do not know how to express the pleasure which this medal gives me, for I know I have deserved it ; I have done my duty loyally, and done all that was within my power." At eighteen he matriculated at the University of Bonn, where his father, Frederick III., had been for several half-yearly terms. On this occasion his tutor, Doctor Hinzpeter, did not accompany him. The Prince was confided to the care of Herr von Liebenau, his military tutor. It was now the end of 1878, and the University of Bonn, charmingly situated on the banks of the Rhine, congratulated itself on offering its hospitality to Prince William. Bonn, like Heidelberg, is a most delightful University town, chiefly because of its natural charm and its cosmopolitanism, and also a little because of the distinguished men who are its professors. The foreigner does not feel himself a stranger there. Before the war a great many French persons used to go there to go through the educational courses and to perfect themselves in the German language. To-day the number has sensibly decreased ; but those who still venture to take the journey thither, find no cause to regret it. M. Amedee Pigeon, a writer of talent and an impartial historian. 38 William II. at Home was at Bonn at the same time as Prince William, and in a review of some importance he has given us some curious and lively details of the life there of the Royal student, with whom he several times had long conversations. Prince William lived in the Coblentz street in a dainty, but not luxurious, villa which belonged to a friend of his father. This villa was set between two gardens ; one fliced the street, was filled with fruit- trees and ornamented with charming groups of flowers. The other led by subways and steps down to the banks of the Rhine. From the bedroom and drawing-room, and the study, which were situated on the ground- floor, one could see the Rhine and the verdant country beyond. Only two of the rooms, the dining- room and the linen-closet, looked on to the first garden, through which one reached the street. Let us see the description which M. Amedee Pigeon gives : — " The drawing-room and the study were very simply furnished. On entering the study one saw to the right a bookcase laden with the works of Dickens and Jules Verne, mixed up with old German authors and the books of the professors of the University ; on the left, between the window and the door, was placed a sofa, where the Prince used to sit to read, opposite a little round table. Above the sofa hung a tolerably Prince William 39 good portrait of Frederick-William IV., with his eyes of an invalid, dreamy and full of sad shadows. "A bracket was placed between the two windows. At the end of the room to the left, and close to the second window, there was a large writing-table, covered with blotting-books, papers, pens, paper-cutters, seals, books and portraits of all the members of the Imperial family. " Further on, propped up against the books, were photographs of all the German fleet, with the name of each ship, brig, or frigate, photographs which the Prince often looked at in moments when he was already dreaming of long sea voyages and talking of his desire to visit Egypt. " The drawing-room was furnished with large pictures of yueen Victoria, of the Crown Prince, Frederick III., and of the Crown Princess. " The dining-room was furnished very simply. A cuckoo clock from the Black Forest struck every hour." The student entertained only a few friends at his villa, with the exception of Herr von Liebenau. But he often invited to his table his fellow student, M. de Jacobi and also M. Amedee Pigeon, with whom he liked to discuss PVench literature. We have already seen that the books of Jules Verne were prominently displayed in William's library. In truth, voyages of adventure had always fascinated the Prince's imagi- 40 William 11. at Home nation. On the other hand, he had little appreciation for the delightful works of Racine, whom he considered a *' dull " author. " These people who are always talking of love," he cried one day, " are so tedious ! " No doubt in his eyes it was more advantageous to talk of adventures in war, of carnage on the field of battle ! He understood Moliere and La Bruyere better ; he wished to admire them : and he had read Theophile Gau- tier, Golgol, and TourgeniefF with pleasure. He professed also to have some acquaint- ance with our contemporary literature, particularly with Coppee and Bourget, the gentle poet and the psycho- logical novelist. It is from this year of 1878 that his love for Paris dates ; for in spite of the strenuous contradictions that have been circulated, he desired to revisit, as Emperor, the 1^'rench capital he had seen as a student. During the Easter vacations, his father gave him permission to travel in France, and of course he went straight to Paris, which he had passed through several years previously, in going to join his mother at Cannes. He remained in Paris about a fortnight, during which THE EMPEROR WILLIAM II., AGED TWENTY-ONE YEARS. Prince William 41 time he stayed at the Hotel Mirabeau, and he returned to Bonn astonished by what he had seen. Our public walks, our museums, particularly that of Versailles with its memories of great glory, found in him a THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS BEFORE THEIR MARRIAC.E. sincere admirer. He was less pleased with his visit to England ; the English education which he had received under the direction of his mother, who was a daughter of Queen Victoria, had not planted in his heart any germs of sympathy for Great Britain, a country which as Emperor he was destined to hate. 42 William II. at Home It is said that one day at a review, the Prince was seized with bleeding at the nose. As the officers of his staff" pressed round him, he reassured them, " Do not trouble yourselves about it, gentlemen ; it is only the last drop of English blood escaping from my veins." After his studies at the University of Bonn, the Prince, on his return to Berlin, turned his attention chiefly to the affairs of the army, and was given several steps of promotion in the military heirarchy. Always the first on parade, he was the last to seek repose. He exacted much from his men, but he exacted more from himself His punctuality at parade was remarked by his chiefs. On the eve of his marriage with Princess Augusta Victoria, the eldest daughter of the late Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, which was celebrated on Septem- ber 27th, 1 88 1, he was commanding, as captain, a company which he was drilling at Potsdam, while, according to an ancient custom, his betrothed was making her ceremonial entry into Berlin. His family and his betrothed only saw him for a few moments in the evening. The very day of the religious ceremony, at six o'clock in the morning, he was once more at Potsdam, to give a medal to a serjeant-major. He said to the officers, who were astonished to see him at such a moment, " Gentlemen, I am only doing my duty." Prince William 43 As to the serjeant-major, this is the reflection which the story puts into his mouth. " I, when I was married, had a week's leave." A year later, when colonel of a regiment, he had occasion to use wmsSKOmM some severity l^^^ggm against some officers w h o had lost at play a considerable amount of m o n e y. He ordered them to leave the society of which he was a mem- ber. The next day or the day after this order, one of the di- rectors of the society went to the Emperor William, his grandfather, and asked for a remission of the sentence. William I. promised to intercede with the young Prince, and at once com- manded his presence. A short dialogue ensued between the grandfather and his grandson. THE EMPRESS AT THE TIME OF HER MARRIAGE. 44 William IL at Home " Your Majesty," said the Prince to his grandfather, " allow me to ask you this question : am I still colonel of my regiment ? " " Certainly you are." " Well then — will your Majesty allow me to fulfil the duties of my office, or will you accept my resignation ? " " Oh, I could not think of doing that," cried the Emperor, " for I should not know where to find so good a colonel again." It was at this time (1883) that the essay by Count Paul Wasili, entitled "Society in Berlin," was published. Was the author of this essay really M. Gerard, the Empress Augusta's reader ? I do not know. But the pamphlet must have been written by a man who knew the Imperial Court well, and it contained much that is of the greatest interest, notably a portrait of Prince William, which may well be reproduced here : — " Prince William is only twenty-four years old. It is therefore difficult to say what he will become. It is, however, undeniable that up to the present he appears to be a youth with a future before him. He has intelligence, a head and a heart. He is the most intelligent of the Royal princes, and he is also brave, enterprising, ambitious, hare-brained, but with a heart of gold. He is sympathetic in the highest degree, and has go, and energy of character, with a gift of repartee in conversation which makes it difficult to believe that Prince William 45 he is a German. He adores the army, and is beloved in it. In spite of his youth, he has known how to make himself popular in all classes of society. He is educated and well read, and is full of projects for the welfare of his country. He is also possessed of remarkable per- ception for all that is connected with politics. He will certainly be a distinguished man, and probably a great Sovereign, Prussia will perhaps find in him a second Frederick the Great, but without the scepticism which characterised the first Frederick. With all this he has also a fund of gaiety and good humour which will mitigate the vein of hardness which, like a true Hohenzollern, he has in his character. He will be essentially a king in person ; will not allow himself to be led, and will have a sound and upright judgment, the habit ot prompt decision, will be energetic in action and firm of will. When he comes to the throne, he will continue the work of his grandfather, and will postpone that of his father, whatever it may be. In him the enemies of Germany will have a formidable adversary ; he will be perhaps the Henri IV. of his country." Count Charles-Antoine of Hohenzollern read Count Wasili's essay, and was of opinion that the German Imperial Court had been described in an unjust or exaggerated manner ; but he made an exception in the case of Prince William's portrait. " Very like," he said ; and he added, " I admire Prince William 46 William IL at Home enormously, although he is very young. He will be a most remarkable man, and will make himself talked about. I have had my eye on him ever since he was a child, and my opinion of him becomes more and more fixed. Prussia and Germany have a right to place their hopes in him ; he will be one of the most eminent of monarchs, and will accomplish much good. His is the character of a thoroughly noble man and of a very remarkable nature." But then, as now, the place where the Prince liked best to distinguish himself was before his troops, before his companions-in-arms. He seeks popularity amongst his soldiers. Thus, for example, in the speech which he made on Christmas Eve in 1887, to the Hussars of the Imperial Guard, he said to them, " You are part of that great army and that great family of which the King is father, and here you belong to a smaller family which is called the regiment. As far as it is in my power, I wish to put myself towards you in the place of your families. I have arranged your Christmas as the father of a family arranges it for his children. I give you this present, and I take the occasion of this festival to wish you all a happy New Year." One can now understand how the Prince William was beloved by his companions-in-arms, and how the Emperor William II., in continuing to call himself the father of his soldiers, succeeds in increasing his Prince William 47 popularity amongst them. Prince William was less tender towards his parents — his little family, no doubt — than towards his great family the army. During the time of the ter- rible illness of his father as Crown Prince and as Em- peror, one does not find in his toasts and his speeches the same accent of emotion as when he is discoursing on the duties of children to- wards those who have given them life, and towards — the King. On two different occasions — the first time, three weeks after the death of the Emperor Frede- rick III., the second on the occasion of the festivities given in honour of the French fleet returned from Cronstadt to Portsmouth — I had the honour to have'" a long conversation with the late Sir Morel Mackenzie, THE EMPEROR WILLIAM It., AGED THIRTY YEARS. 48 William IL at Home on the subject of the disease of " Frederick the Noble," as he called his Royal patient. These two conversations are as clear in my memory as if they had taken place only yesterday. Sir Morel Mackenzie lived in one of the most aristocratic parts of London, two steps from Cavendish Square — 17, Harley Street. One of the most eminent of practicians, and having made a speciality of diseases of the larynx, he had acquired, not only in London and in England, but also on the Continent, a reputation which was justified by his science and his intelligence. His study revealed him, not so much the savant as the man of taste, the artist who would never be other than England's most celebrated doctor. The first thing that attracted one's attention was a large portrait of Frederick III. placed on an easel facing the writing-table, and representing the late German Emperor in the uniform of a general of the Cuirassiers. It seems to me as if I can see the portrait, in its magnificent gold frame, surmounted by a crown, with the words, " I shall not look upon his like again." These words of Hamlet, in thinking of his father, are those chosen by Sir Morel Mackenzie as an epitaph. Close to the portrait was a letter, also framed in gold, addressed by PVederick III. to Sir Morel Mackenzie. It is dated from Charlottenburg, April loth, 1888, and is written in English. It runs something like this : — FREDERIC III. AT SAN REMO. Prince William 51 "Dear Sir Morel Mackenzie, — " You have been summoned to attend me by the unanimous desire of the German doctors who are now attending me. I always had confidence in you by reason of their recommendations. Now I can appreciate you on my own account. ..." A little farther on there hung against the wall a pretty panel presented to Sir Morel Mackenzie in May 1888, by the German Empress, Victoria. It represents a young and pretty woman, and underneath are the words, " To the Emperor Frederick of Germany's faithful friend and devoted and excellent doctor." This is a proof, amongst a thousand others, that the Emperor's family, like the Emperor himself, had absolute confidence in Sir Morel Mackenzie, which they had not in the German doctors. The English doctor declared, to all whom it might concern, that Doctor Bergman had, by the roughness of his treatment, hastened the Emperor Frederick's end. With regard to William II. during his father's long agony, the doctor was only a little more reserved in talking to me. " It is certain," he said to me, " that Frederick's eldest son did not show himself to be the affectionate son he ought to have been, and that he was exclusively occupied with politics during those tragic moments. 52 William IL at Home Frederick III. was not ignorant of his son's intrigues, and much mental suffering was thereby added to his physical sufferings." This is a nice assertion in the mouth of a man who lived on terms of intimacy with the Imperial family ! Nor was the diagnosis which he gave me concerning WilHam the Second's diseased ear any less explicit. He did not conceal the flict that this disease was "serious in itself, and particularly so in view of the complications which might arise from it." He added somewhat as follows : — " But one may live long with this complaint. Here is an example : the father of Lord Lytton (the one who was English Ambassador in France) suffered during the greater part of his life from the disease which has attacked the Emperor of Germany. But he neverthe- less lived to be Id. It is, however, true that he died finally of this disease of the ear." Sir Morel Mackenzie had for his motto, "Luceo, Non Uro " ("I give light, I do not burn "). He was a diplomatist as well as a doctor, and it is pretty clear to-day to all unprejudiced minds that his position with regard to Frederick III. was above all things that of consoler and diplomatist. It was to his counsels — opposed to those of William II. — that Frederick III. owed his Emperor's crown. Oueen Victoria has never forgotten it. THE EMPRESS IN MOURNING FOR THE EMPEROR FREDERICK. Prince William 55 Doctor Bucheron, a specialist of PVance whose opinion I one day asked concerning this disease of the ears from which William II. suffers, and which is often discussed at the Imperial Court — so much was shown by the trial of Tausch — gave in these words a description of the malady : — " This disease is a purulent otorrhoea — in other words, a cold in the ear which has become purulent, or a purulent running. It can be partly cured with very great care, but it is never completely got rid of. It is a recurrent malady. I have had a number of cases similar to that of the Emperor of Germany, and I have learnt from experience that when a violent, or even a slight attack supervenes, it produces, as it were, an effect on the brain, which becomes weakened and a little op- pressed. In patients suff^ering from this complaint, several strange phenomena are often observed. Amongst these are savage, violent cries, often re- peated, several times a day, accesses of rage, with a tendency to destructiveness, excessive irritability, and often an unsociable, gloomy and sad character, accompanied sometimes by an entire lack of affection for -parent sT The Emperor, with the malady from which he suff'ers, may live long, subject to attacks which might carry him off^ suddenly. It will be seen that these two opinions agree on the 56 William IL at Home main points ; and to-day, more than ever, they deserve to be considered attentively. We have left his flither, " Frederick the Noble," on his death-bed, suffering the most terrible tortures, mental and physical. Several days before his death Frederick III., who had lost the power of speech, and who, when he desired to express his wants, had to write them on bits of paper, wrote these words to his eldest son : "Learn to suffer without complaint ; it is the only thing I can teach you." The hour is not yet come to know if William II. has profited by this advice. But one thing is certain, that Prince William took heed to the exhortations of his grandfather, the first William, whose Ptemory he delights to invoke per- petually. William I., in dying, treated him as his immediate successor, and begged him to deal cautiously with Russia. Recent events show that he has faith- fully followed his grandfather's advice. And to this day his conduct shows equally that he has not forgotten the lesson in Prussian history which William I. gave him, when, at the age of eighteen, at the conclusion of his career at Cassel, Prince William began his career in the army. The old Emperor expressed himself thus : — '* You know by history that all the kings of Prussia, while not neglecting the other duties of government, have given their chief attention to the army. Already Prince William 57 the Grand Elector, by his heroic courage, has given the troops an example which has never been surpassed. Frederick I, knew very well, when he placed the crown on his own head, that he would have to defend that bold action ; but he also knew that his troops, already tried, would render that an easy task. Frederick-William, in that very garrison at Potsdam where you are going, and which they call of their own accord the cradle of the Prussian army, laid the foundation of our military organisation by the severe discipline which he inculcated for officers and soldiers alike. . , . His spirit lives yet amongst us. Frederick the Great, with his steady troops, created the kernel of that army with which he waged the wars which have made him immortal. Frederick-William was concerned with a new system of tactics, and his army did not quit the struggle without laurels. My Royal father encountered the same enemy, and a terrible disaster fell upon the country and the army. But then, setting aside all that was old and decayed, he re-organised the army and founded it upon a love of the Fatherland and on the sentiment of honour. And he won successes which will shine to the end of time with peculiar lustre in the annals of the Prussian army. My father, King Frederick-William lY., who was thus terribly tried, regarded his army with satisfaction. In days of misfortune it had remained faithful to him. " In this state I found the army. If ever a govern- 58 William IL at Home mcnt was visibly directed by Providence, it has been during these last years. And still it has been the army, which, by its inextinguishable courage, and its steady fidelity, has carried Prussia to the heights on which she now stands. The regiment of Guards, to which you belong, and the regiment which you enter to-day, have contributed gloriously to our success. The medals which I wear on my breast are the public expression of my eternal gratitude for the devotion with which the army has won victory after victory. You arrive at manhood at a great epoch, and you have, in your father, an honourable example of the art of conducting battles. But you will also find, in the service which you are entering upon, things which appear insignificant, and will surprise you. But you must know that in the service, nothing is small. Every stone which goes to build up an army must be carefully prepared, if we wish the building to be good and solid." Prince William has been, before all things, a soldier, and has always shown the sentiments of a soldier. The Emperor has not changed in this respect. He has followed to the letter the instructions of his grand- father, who was himself one of the instruments which won the Prussians renown on the field of battle, and brought about that German unity which William II. has declared to be indestructible. CHAPTER III. I HE APARTMENTS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. 59 CHAPTER III. THE APARTMENTS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. WHEN the purply-red standard floats from the four corners of the Royal Palace in Berlin, it is a sign that the King of Prussia is within. As soon as the Sovereign leaves the Palace, the standard is taken down, to be run up again at the moment that William II. re-enters it. It is only on occasions of great state that the red flag is exchanged for the Imperial standard with a yellow ground. In this palace all the principal events of Prussian history have taken place, as well as those which have followed on the foundation of the Empire. It was there too that all the foreign Royalties, who came after the victory to salute the Emperor of Germany, were lodged. The Palace is a gigantic structure, and its numerous wings have been erected at different times during several centuries. It is here that the Emperor and the Empress, their children, their suites, and their servants, live to-day. 6i 62 William IL at Home The kitchens and the cellars are situated in a large basement which surrounds the great building. On the side of the Spree are to be seen the offices of the Court Marshal and part of the offices of the Master of the Ceremonies. In the wing overlooking the pleasure- ground, which has now been altered, are the reception- ■.l^f^Wl- 'Mi..4l.i THE ROYAL PALACE, BERLIN. rooms and the state-rooms reserved for such foreign princes as may visit the Court. The wing v^here the principal entrance to the Palace is situated contains more reception-rooms, and the cupola surmounts the chapel. From the ground floor to the balustrade upon the roof, the Palace is a hundred feet high, and its greatest The Apartments of the Royal Family 63 length on the side of the pleasure-ground is four hundred and sixty feet. The great iron doors at the principal entrance deserve particular attention. They are works of art of the first order, and are the largest gates of forged metal to be found in Europe. All the other entrances to the Palace, through which formerly the public had free entrance, are to-day closed by gates of forged iron. Behind each gate is stationed a guard, composed every day of a Company of the Guards, commanded by a captain. When the Imperial family are in Berlin, they live, as has been said, in the Royal Palace, and the Emperor and Empress occupy rooms on the first floor on the south side of the Palace, which looks towards the '* Schlossplatz " (place of the castle), with its large, fine fountains. With the exception of PVederick-WilHam III. and the Emperor William I., who lived in another castle, situated in the " Unter den Linden" street, all the princes and kings of Prussia have lived in the Palace of Berlin. The Emperor William, when he was still Prince William the heir, chose tor a winter residence, during the first years of his marriage, a suite of apartments in the Palace overlooking the Spree. It was not till after William II. ascended the throne that the apartments on the first floor were done up. The Emperor and Empress themselves chose 64 William IL at Home the furniture and stuffs for the decoration of their dwelling, and did every room according to their own taste. These rooms were formerly occupied by Frederick the Great, and William II., out of respect for his illustrious ancestor, has kept intact, as far as possible, the historic character of the apartments. THE PLEASURE GROUNDS OF THE PALACE. The " Sternsaal " (Hall of Stars) which takes its name from the circumstance that the white ceiling of this hall is ornamented with golden stars, is above the doorway — called Portal No. I. — which is the principal entrance to the Emperor's dwelling, and before which is stationed a guard of double sentries, The Apartments of the Royal Family 65 taken in turn from the different regiments of the garrison in Berlin. The Sternsaal is about fifty feet long and about thirty-four feet wide, and is most frequently used for military functions. Here the flags and colours of the regiments of the garrison are kept, and here the Emperor has had placed on large tables big models of the warships, Irene, Oldenburg, and Grief. At the east end of the hall is the entrance to the " Adjutanten-zimmer " (Adjutants' room"), decorated with red silk, where the adjutants on duty sit. At the other end of the hall the apartments of the Emperor begin. The first room one enters served in the time of Frederick II. as an audience-chamber, and it is used for the same purpose to-day. Here William receives those persons who have been summoned on business, when he does not see them in his study for some reason. The walls are covered with some silky stuff of a delicate green colour, and all the pictures which are hung on them have to do with the times of Frederick II. Almost everything has great historical value, and recalls some episode in the life of the great King of Prussia. Next to the audience-chamber is the Emperor's own study, and behind the study a door opens into the council-chamber. The study, decorated according to the orders of the 5 66 William IL at Home Knipcror, deserves to be described with a little more detail. Altogether the decorations of this room produce the effect of a most artistic whole, with its magnificent ceiling, painted in 1704 by Augustin Terwesten. Nor is it the room of an idle man ; books and papers are scattered over the large table. Character is given to this study by the pictures of the Dutch school which are hung on the v/alls, framed in black wood ; one might fancy oneself in a room of the seventeenth century. Amongst these pictures one particularly notices a painting of the Grand Elector's Navy, due to the brush of Liewe Verschnur. At the mast-heads float the |Red Eagle, and we see before our eyes that ancestor of the Hohenzollerns, who, two hundred years ago, pursued the same ends in colonial policy as those which are pursued by the reigning Emperor to-day. His immediate successor abandoned this idea of colonial expansion and contented himself with sailing pleasure-boats on the Spree, as one of the pictures testifies. The pleasure-boat which is shown us is called the Friedrich. Frederick I. had had this vessel built in Holland by Michael Maddersteg, who had it transported in 1704 to Berlin. The King used it for fetes. Maddersteg is the author of this picture, which is one of the most precious of those in the Palace. Frederick-William I. gave the Friedrich and a yacht, also built by Maddersteg, The Apartments of the Royal Family 67 to Peter the Great ; he thus sold Germany's last rights to African possessions and only the fifes of the negroes and the drums of his jeunesse doree for many years after recalled the colonial enterprises of his grandfather. The other pictures are a reproach to the severe character of the study. There are fine portraits of the Brandenburg chiefs, von Schonaich and Rothausen, painted by William von Honthorst, then a scene in a camp by Phillip Wouvermans, and a little Dutch marine picture by Houghtenburgh. Amongst the little valuable statuettes there is one in silver which, in spite of its diminutive size, is a very characteristic portrait of Frederick I. This statuette has descended from Oueen Elizabeth, and, according to a notice attached to it, must have ornamented the table in the smoking-room of Frederick-William I. Out of this room, sacred, as we have said, to the private studies of William II., we enter a large room with three windows, which is used as a council-chamber. The decoration of the ceiling and of the walls is entirely modern ; only the windows are surrounded by old pictures. of the time of Frederick- William I, Amongst the furniture, two cabinets, of cedar wood richly bronzed, are particularly interesting. They form part of the group of four cabinets, in which the Great Frederick, in 1770, exhibited his collection of coins and medals. As to 68 William II. at Home the maker of these cabinets, we know that they were made by an English joiner, Tullemann. They were placed a little while ago in the Royal museums, whence they were removed by desire of the Emperor Frede- rick to the Royal Palace. One of these f a m o u s cabinets c o n - tained the col- lection of auto- graphs belonging to the Emperor Frederick, There are also two portraits, that of the Mar- grave Frederick- William of Anspach, by an unknown THRONE-ROOM IN THE ROYAL SCHLOSS, BERLIN. painter, and one of Augustus III. of Saxony, by Louis de Silvestre, a Frenchman who stayed some time at the Court of Dresden. The two portraits represent these personages in the flower of their age. They had often The Apartments of the Royal Family 69 attracted the attention of the Emperor in the studio of the painters of the Royal Pahice where they were exhibited. When the Emperor's apartments were being done up, they were placed in new frames in the council-chamber. Passing behind the audience-chamber and the study, we reach the bed-room, and then the dressing-room, of the Emperor. In these two rooms there are hung small but valuable pictures representing incidents in the travels and in the hunting expeditions of the Emperor. A continuation of the council-room forms the " Pfeilersaal " (Hall of Pillars). Under Frederick the Great this hall was used as an ante-room to the King's apartments, and when the King was present there was always a guard of soldiers there. To-day it is used for small ceremonies, and at the same time connects the Emperor's apartments with those of the Empress ; in fact, from the " Pfeilersaal " one enters directly into the Empress' drawing-room. Here are collected all the most valuable art treasures that the Emperor possesses. Besides three pictures of the celebrated PVench painter Watteau, each one of which is equal to a real fortune — one of them, "The Embarkation for the Islanci of Cythera," is worth about _^^5000 — the room is decorated with pictures by Watteau's pupils, and two pictures by the celebrated painter Pesne. The next room is the Empress' bed-room, where yo William IL at Home there is a portrait of Oueen Louise when she was the Crown Princess, and a bust of the Emperor Frederick in his young days. There are also some remarkable sculptures, amongst which are some by Ranch and Scadow, two well-known Berlin sculptors. iM-om the bed-room 0!ie enters the Empress' study. The principal objects that strike one here are six panels, on which are displayed vases and marble figures. The electric light is emitted from bronze chandeliers. The furniture is of costly wood, and is upholstered in many- coloured silks. The room is brilliant by reason of its luxurious furniture, and is brightened by many flowers, some artificial and some natural, grouped in china vases and cups of old Delft porcelain. The Empress' dressing- room also communicates with this apartment, and there are not wanting works of art, nor personal souvenirs, such as paintings done by the Emperor Frederick and by William II. The Empress' bed-room is very large, and its walls are covered with light cretonne. The ceiling is painted in light colours, gold and rococo. Then comes the dressing-room and the bath-room. The bath-room is white-and-gold. The artistic-looking bath of bright copper is fastened to the wall, and stands on three steps. At the side where the bath is placed there is a door leading to a winding iron staircase. This staircase leads directly to the rooms of the young Princes, situated in the second storey. Behind these The Apartments of the Royal Family 71 three rooms which we have endeavoured to describe is the Empress' library, the gloom of which produces a melancholy impression, with its rows of book-shelves. A few bits of Chinese porcelain placed on the book- THE THRONF.-ROOM ANOTHER VIEW. cases Hghten the aspect of the room a little. Here, as everywhere else, there are pictures, and notably portraits of the principal Kings of Prussia and of foreign countries, such as the Elector Frederick-William I., 72 William 11. at Home Frederick the Great, Peter the Great, and even Maria- Therese of Austria. At last we reach the dining-room where the Emperor and Empress take their meals together. It is an enormous room, about fifty-seven feet long and about twenty-one feet wide, and is well lighted by four large windows ; at one end a door leads to the servants' room. This dining-room is remarkable for the magnificence of its decorations. Heavy oak panels richly framed in gold decorate the walls, while the spaces between are hung with Gobelin tapestry. Opposite the windows is a wonderful chimney-piece of green marble. The ceiling is decorated with delicate mouldings and paintings. The gold and the colouring are very brilliant at night, when the room is lit up. In the midst of a blue sky, just shadowed with clouds, floats the Prussian Eagle, defending itself against the attacks of its enemies. The other pictures lare symbolical of the Prussian orders, and represent the Prussian shield framed by the chain of the Order of the Black Eagle. As we have already said, the rooms of the Princes and of their tutors are situated on the second storey. From the Empress' apartments, a winding staircase leads directly to the children's play-room. Besides this play-room, which they have in common, and a dining-room, which they have equally in common,, each of the elder Princes, the Crown Prince, Prince Adalbert, The Apartments of the Royal Family 73 Prince Eitel Frederick, has his own apartments, consist- ing of a bed-room and a dressing-room. The younger Princes Hve with their nurses and governesses in rooms overlooking the Spree. As to the rooms where the suite are lodged, they offer no points of interest. WILLIAM II. S PALACE AT BERLIN. A word more about the reception-rooms. The most interesting, from an historical point of view, is the " Weisse Saal," or White Hall, which has just been completely restored. On the west side of this room a gallery has been made by which the picture-gallery can be approached. This picture-gallery is also used as a 74 William IL at Home reception-room. The White Hall, since it has been restored, has been considerably enlarged ; all the same, it does not cover more than eighteen hundred square feet, and is the smallest Royal reception-room in Europe. It takes its name from the circumstance that the walls and ceiling are white. There are statues of nearly all the Prussian Kings in this Hall, for by order of the Emperor they have all been modelled in plaster and provisionally exhibited in the niches. The throne occupies one corner. In three of the rooms of the Palace there is a dais, but this one is certainly the finest. While the others, in the " Rittersaal," the (Hall of Knights) and in the old Chapel of the Royal House, have red velvet draperies and the Black Prussian Eagle for ornament, and represent the Prussian Crowns, this is the Emperor's throne. This dais is draped with yellow brocade — it may be mentioned that yellow is the colour of the Emperor of Germany — and on it the black Imperial Eagle is embroidered. The cupola represents a gilded dome with azure blue openings whence angels are emerging. The marble altar is richly worked in mosaic and is surmounted by a canopy of which the supports are of Oriental alabaster. Below the altar is a picture representing the principal events in the life of the Saviour. Between the pillars are ninety-six statues of personages in the Old and New Testament. The altar The Apartments of the Royal Family 75 is decorated with pictures of the Apostles and of" the Princes of the House of Brandenburg. Each of the six columns which support the dome is composed of a single piece. Above is the ciborium. The alabaster used was given by Mahomet-Ali, Viceroy of Egypt. The summit of the ciborium is made of gilt shells and covered with precious stones. Above the doorway a tall cross of silver gilt shines. It must be worth quite ^5000. From the other side of the White Hall we ap- proach what is called " The Room of the Queens," and from this we enter the picture-gallery, which is a hundred and eighty feet long and twenty-four feet wide. In this gallery, on occasions of great banquets — for instance, that given to celebrate the Order of the Black Eagle — a table is laid which accommodates at least a hundred people. This gallery has indeed the look of a gallery of ancestral portraits. Moreover, the portraits of many crowned heads allied by marriage to the reign- ing family find a place here. Immediately behind the picture-gallery is the ancient Chapel Royal, and then come some rooms with arched windows, through which we reach the Hall of the Knights. The most remarkable object in this room, setting aside the dais, is the celebrated silver sideboard, made in 1698 at Augsburg. Connected with the Hall of the Knights are the State rooms, where, on occasions 76 William 11. at Home of ceremony, the different members of the Court assemble. These rooms, which bear the names of "Braunschweiger," "Elisabeth," "Cloth of Gold," etc., etc., extend as hr as the White Hall at the end of the pleasure-ground. The Palace is now lighted by electric light. Formerly it was illuminated by candles, because the Emperor WilHam I. had a great dislike to gas. The lighted candles produced great heat and were consequently very injurious to the works of art and to the hangings. Therefore in the year 1882 the electric light was adopted, at least for the White Hall ; and when William II. came to the throne, it was decided to have electric light everywhere. It is made in an underground building on the side of the Spree, and the dynamo, which is the newest model, furnishes light to the whole Palace. There are 1,916 incandescent lamps for the reception-rooms alone, 1,100 of these being for the White Hall. It may be mentioned that patrols go round day and night upon the roof of the palace, to see that no fire breaks out. Upon the roof, also, the little Princes are taken out to walk in winter, when the weather permits. In summer, the Imperial Family live in the New Palace at Potsdam. Their departure for Potsdam usually takes place at the beginning of April or the beginning of May, and as flir into the autumn as the The Apartments of the Royal Family 79 weather permits they remain in their Summer Palace, which is situated in the middle of a beautiful park extending from " Sans Souci " to the back of the New Palace. Before the Palace orange-trees, arranged in a semi-circle and planted by order of Frederick the Great, attract our admiration. It was this King of Prussia who, after the peace of Hubertsburg, built this fine castle with its four wings and a facade of six hundred and eighty feet, at the cost of more than a hundred and fifty thousand pounds. At one end of the Palace is a cupola, on the summit of which appear three figures, holding a Royal crown. If one may believe a popular legend, the great King by these figures meant to make allusion to his three principal enemies, the Empress Maria-Theresa, the Empress Elisabeth of Russia, and the Marquise de Pompadour. Also, according to the story, the King built this costly palace to show that his treasury was not exhausted, in spite of the war. The Emperor Frederick called this palace " Friedrichs- kron," because of the crowns held by the three female figures. In the Palace of Potsdam there are many memories of the Emperor Frederick. It was in one of the rooms of the New Palace that he was born, and also in one of its rooms he died. \r\ the huge " Muschelsaal " the body of the second Emperor of Germany lay in state. The rooms which recall the memory of the Emperor Frederick are not used. In 8o William 11. at Home the same way the memory of a great ancestor is respected in keeping intact that part of the Palace where the library of Frederick the Great is preserved, and where specimens of the King's own works, anno- tated by Voltaire, are collected. There still remain. rKi:UKRlCK THE t.RLAT S CONCERT-ROOM AT SANS SOUCI. for the use of the Imperial family, sixty-two rooms, beautifully furnished, those on the ground floor looking on to a fine terrace. Close to the terrace also is the I^mperor's study ; beside it a red room, turned into a billiard-room, then an audience-chamber, where the The Apartments of the Royal Family 8i Emperor sometimes receives. Behind the Palace there are two buildings connected one with the other, called the " Commons," where the servants and the suite live. Between the two buildings the kitchens are placed. From the kitchens an underground passage communicates with the Palace, and there is a little electric railway by which the dishes are carried trom the kitchen to the service room. The Potsdam palace, like that of Berlin, is lit by electric light. The terrace before the Palace is ornamented with two rows of citron-trees and a profusion of green plants. If one adds to this picture the magnificent turf and the flower-beds, one cannot imagine a more lovely home for a princely family. Guards of soldiers, placed some distance off, defend the entrances to the New Palace, where the Emperor and Empress, with their children and their suite, pass the summer months, far from the din of crowds. CHAPTER IV. WILLIAM 11. AT TABLE. 83 CHAPTER IV. iriLLIAM If. AT TABLE. THE administration of the kitchens and of the Emperor's cellars is, as we are going to see, very important. It is placed under the direction and close supervision of the Marshal of the Court. At the head of the kitchens, which are situated in the basement ot the Palace ot Berlin, there is a (Tcrman head cook, having- under him a French chef and another German head cook, with a number of assist- ants and sub-assistants. On the occasion of great Court festivities, in winter, the staff" is further rein- forced by cooks from the Palace at Potsdam. The Emperor and Empress interest themselves in the kitchen just like simple middle-class people. They give their orders every day as to what they will have for dinner. The Emperor William II. has even G^one further than his predecessors ; he is the first Prussian King who has visited his kitchens under the guidance of the Marshal of the Royal Household, and has in- spected them in e\'er\' corner. It is e\'en said — and 86 William 11. at Home nobody will be astonished at it — that he has thought it his duty to make a speech to the assembled scullions, so great is his desire to display himself and to discourse. In everyday life the daily expenses are seven-and- sixpence a head ; but for banquets the kitchen allowance is twenty, twenty-four, and thirty shillings, and even more, a head. The bills of fare for luncheon and dinner are looked at by the Empress, who makes the necessary alterations and discusses with the head cook what dishes shall be prepared for the following day. When great banquets are coming off, the head cook prepares several bills of fare and gives them to the Marshal, who in his turn places them before the Emperor with the necessary explanations, until the Sovereign makes his choice and the menu is definitely settled. The Royal Family take three repasts habitually. William II. has a very good appetite. His first break- fast is an English breakfast. The Empress, under all circumstances, shares it, to keep her Royal husband company. Even when he has to attend a review and mount his horse at six o'clock — which makes it necessary to breakfast at five — the Empress appears at table and breakfasts with him. Besides tea and coffee there are generally on the table eggs, beefsteak and mutton, or veal cutlets. The second breakfast, or William 11. at Table 87 luncheon, which tiikes place at two o'clock, is composed of soup, a dish of meat with vegetables, a roast, and all sorts of hors-d\vuvres. At this meal the F:mperor and Empress delight in receiving guests. These are writers, persons belonging to the Society of the Court, THE KITCHENS. painters, sculptors, savants^ and great officials — in a word, all personages known in the world of art, of letters, or of science. William II. particularly likes humourists, and, as he says himself, bons vivants. The Emperor's flivourite dishes are great pieces of meat 88 William IL at Home such as are considered in France plats canailles. He is particularly fond of braised meat. He also likes fish and oysters, and soupes maigres with rice or macaroni, or even meat in little balls. He does not care so much for Russian soups. On ordinary occasions dinner is served at five or six o'clock. Dinners of ceremony at seven. Those who are honoured with an invitation to diiuier from the l^mperor and Empress receive large vellum cards, on which are engraved the intertwined monograms of their Majesties. The invitation itself runs thus : " By the august order of their Imperial and Royal Highnesses, the Marshal of the Court has the honour to invite . . . [here follows the name of the invited guest] to dinner . . . [then the day] at seven o'clock at [Palace of Berlin or Palace of Potsdam]. — A. EuLENBURG." On the reverse side the dress the guest is expected to wear is given. Kor example : " Dress : undress evening uniform or shoes and silk stockings. Those who are not entitled to wear uniform will wear evening dress a?id white ties." On the card are also printed notices, such as this : " The guests will find carriages at the Wildpark station to take them to the New Palace." The train that they are to return by is also mentioned. William 11. at Table H9 The repast does not last more than fitty or fifty-five minutes. There is a servant to every couple, without speaking of the supplementary footmen. The footmen bring in the dishes. The principal part of the dimmer is served on silver plates, the remainder on Royal Berlin china. The drinking-glasses are ornamented on the upper part by a broad band of gold, on which the monogram of the Emperor and Empress is also worked in gold. The wines are an object of special care, and the guests have an opportunity of tasting the best vintages ; at dessert the servants fill the glasses with excellent French champagne. The table is decorated with epergnes or with magnificent groups of flowers ; every- where there are roses, with their delicious odour. There are some placed before each guest. Silver candlesticks, with hundreds of wax candles, heighten the brilliancy of the Imperial banquet. Each guest has his own copy of the menu^ lithographed on a vellum card with a gold border. Beside this, orna- mented in the same manner, is the programme of the music. On both cards the Imperial arms are engraved, and the text is printed in German characters. In fact, the menu and the programme do not contain a single foreign word. The musical programme is composed of from twenty- four to thirty pieces, by such composers as Weber, 90 William II. at Home Sullivan, Wagner, Delibes, Meyerbeer, the Emperor's favourite composers. After dinner, the Emperor and Empress hold a general reception ; the guests of any importance are presented to them by the Marshals of the Imperial Household, and by the Chamberlains. The names of those persons who desire to speak to their Majesties have been notified beforehand. At Potsdam the dinner is usually served in the " Jasper " Gallery, which is capable of holding from sixty to eighty persons. Coffee is drunk in the " Muschelsaal." The music is played in the garden. The Jasper Gallery, brilliantly lighted, looks on to the beautiful park of the Palace, and in the evening, when the doors of the great hall are thrown wide open, the fragrance of flowers penetrates into the room ; and if the sky is studded with stars, a spectacle truly fairy-like is presented. The menu, to which I have already casually alluded, is decorated by such masters as Skarbina, Koch, Kips, Dopier, etc. If the dinner is given in honour of a Sovereign, as in the case of the visit of the King of Italy, the Shah of Persia, the Emperor of Austria, the arms of the Emperor are intertwined with those of the monarch who is his guest. To this ornamentation is often added a view of the Palace where the dinner takes place, or some Royal souvenir of the kind. Thus one illustrator William IL at Table 91 introduced into one of these menus a view of the monu- ment of the Prince Elector, and another artist, Dopier, represented the architectural side of the palace of Pots- dam. The army also furnishes many subjects for the designs. On a 7nenu by the pencil of Koch we see the head of a grenadier of the First Regiment of the Guards. Besides the Emperor and his family, the Imperial kitchens have to provide food for other persons, such as the ladies and gentlemen of the suite, the ladies of the Court, the adjutants on duty, etc., etc. Consequently the consumption is very great, as the culinary statistics for two days at the Palace of Berlin shows. On September 12th, 1896, a hundred pounds of beef, four calves' heads, three hundred and sixty pounds of loin of mutton, ten salted tongues, and two hundred pounds of legs of mutton, were bought during two days for the Imperial kitchen. Here is the order for September 14th : fourteen large pieces of fillets of beef, fifteen pounds of veal, twelve pounds of beef suet, four salted tongues, ten pounds of lean bacon, two hundred pounds of loin of veal, two hundred pounds of roasting beef. The meat, which is of course of the first quality, is delivered every day at the kitchens by the different Court butchers. Several Court bakers also deliver the enormous quantities of bread which are necessary for the Royal household. 92 William IL at Home The ctlkirs are an object of special attention. Since the time of Frederick-William I., every year's samples of the best wines have been bought and left to lie by for many years, before being drunk. At the family meal Moselle and Rhine wine are chiefly drunk. On the occasion of great ceremonies, the soup is accompanied by madeira, port, and sherry. With the oysters and fish sparkling German white wines are drunk. During the repast, Rhine wines and red wines are handed round, and a glass or two of champagne is never forgotten. For dessert, old Tokay and muscat are produced. Those who do not like wine — and these are many among the guests — drink beer. The Emperor himself does not drink much ; he does not like red wine, he prefers champagne. Very often in the evening the Emperor holds a reception for men ; then the dinner becomes a supper. On these evenings the Emperor sits up till midnight, but on ordinary occasions he generally goes to bed at ten o'clock or at latest at half-past ten. On occasions of great State banquets, not only is the table decorated with flowers, but everything is served on gold and silver. Amongst these State services of plate there is a special one in silver which was presented to the Emperor by the various Prussian provinces. At the table where William II. and the Empress sit, everything is of gold or silver ; the table-linen is of the William IL at Table 93 richest damask, and the most lovely flowers are dis- tributed in vases or are arranged in a circle in the middle of the table. At the conclusion of the State bancjuets, toasts, which are regular speeches, are proposed. The Emperor rises first, and, always in a somewhat theatrical manner, conmients on the event which the occasion celebrates. After these State banquets the company assemble in the " Rittersaal," where coffee is drunk. There the conversation becomes general. During the banquet the only person who can, in flict, talk freely is the Emperor. The guests seated at the table of the Marshal of the Court are restrained from talking aloud, for fear of disturbing their Majesties. This is one of the requirements of the etiquette rigidly observed at the Court of William II. CHAPTER V. THE LITTLE KINGS. 95 r CHAPTER V. THE LITTLE KINGS. THE little kings are the Emperor's children. They are gay, lively and forward — so obstreperous, indeed, that the Empress and their governesses have often infinite difficulty in keeping them in order. When this happens, recourse is had to the Emperor, who applies the cane. The bringing up of the young Princes is, in fact, on a most severe principle, and as a supreme argument their Imperial papa distributes the stick amongst his children — one is ruler or one is not. One of the Empress' chief cares is the education and training of the Princes. This is an hourly occupation. She is present at their lessons, without interfering or making a single observation ; she knows no greater pleasure than to look on at their games and, if need be, to take part in them. She presides over their meals, and at night she goes with them to their rooms, after they have had their baths, and watches that they do not go to sleep too late. When she returns from a journey, from a concert, or from any 97 "^ 98 William 11. at Home _^:\ _.ji#'mta» THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS, WITH THEIR SEVEN CHILDREN. sort of ceremony, at whatever hour of the night, she does not retire to her own apartments till she has made The Little Kings 99 the round of the children's rooms, to make sure that they are all well. William II., who carries the principle of discipline very far, is not severe to his children except when he considers it necessary. It is true that it very often seems to him necessary. When he can find time, and when the children have been very good, he takes part in their games. The games of children are not always wholly innocent ; there is frequently a good deal of mischief mingled with them, as this absolutely authentic anecdote will bear witness too. Pastor Frommel, Court preacher, having been granted an audience of the Emperor, had, before entering the study, left his hat in the ante-room. Here the Princes, then very young, found the hat. A short time previously the children had seen an opera-hat, and had amused themselves in trying to discover what was the cause of the way it shut up and opened. They took it for granted that the clergyman's hat was also an opera-hat, and, like that hat, an ordinary cylinder, without internal mechanism. When they found they could not make it shut up, the Crown Prince gave his brothers orders to sit down upon it. The effect was marvellous ! The hat was flattened . . . for good and all. The joy of the young Princes was so exuberant that their noise drew the Emperor, his guest, and the servants, into the ante-room. The lOO William 11. at Home situation was so comical that William II. could not be angry, the less so as the pastor interceded for the culprits. A new hat was bought for Pastor Frommel, and the children escaped with a reprimand. The children have become little men ; the five obstreperous ba- bies have grown into Princes, one after another, and the Crown Prince, Prince Eitel Fred- erick and Prince Adalbert have already their po- sition at Court, their special gov- ernors, and their private apart- ments. They do not join the "little ones" except at meal-times and during play- hours. At present there are only three small boys and the little girl who play in the nursery. Even for the two elder ones of these, serious work has already begun, THE CROWN I'RINCK Al' THE AGE OF FIVE. The Little Kings lOl and the education, like their general training, is organised with great severity. It is said — and it is true — that much more is expected of a Prince than of a simple citizen of the middle class. Above all, thorough acquaint a nee with all foreign languages, es- pecially French, is expected of every prince of the Imperial House. The m a p p i n g of their hours of work for every day is made very carefully beforehand, and the classes at which they must be present are mentioned. Almost to a moment, everything is regulated with military precision. Besides their intellectual training, the young Princes have to he developed from a THE CROWN PRINCE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE. I02 William IL at Home physical point of view. Therefore they have only an hour and a half for recreation. Many middle-class children are more spoilt than they, particularly in the matter of presents, of which neither the Emperor nor Empress are prodigal. The daily life of the Princes, big and little, is regulated somewhat after the following manner : at six o'clock in summer and seven in winter they get up, and when they are dressed the first breakfast takes place, at half-past seven. It consists of a cup of tea and slices of bread-and-butter, and the Empress is always present. At eight o'clock the lessons begin. In each branch of study the elder Princes receive, according to the future career for which they are intended, special and solitary instruction. The younger Princes have their lessons together. At about half-past nine they assemble for a second breakfast, which consists of bread and water coloured with red wine. Lessons recommence immediately afterwards ; they last, including drill and military exercises, until a quarter past one. The Princes, together with their military and civil governors, take their mid-day meal, of which this is the menu : soup, fish, roast, vegetables, side-dishes, cheese and fruit. P'or drink they again have water, with a suspicion of red wine in it. After dinner, recreation ; then a lesson in science and music till six o'clock. At six, the last meal, supper, is THE THREE ELDEST SONS OF THE EMPEROR. The Little Kings 105 served ; this supper consists usually of cold meat, hut occasionally of hot. Then a final hour of recreation, after which, at half-past seven, the little ones have their bath and are put to bed ; the older ones retire at eight o'clock or at nine at the latest. The programme differs a little, according as the Emperor and Empress are living at Berlin or at Potsdam, but the hours of work are never any shorter. Even when the elder Princes are staying at Sassnitz for the summer holidays, their studies are by no means neglected. And it is the same with regard to the younger Princes. Herr Fechner, an authority in arithmetic, directs the lessons in arithmetic. The lessons in languages are confided for English to Miss Atkinson, for French to M. Girardin of Geneva. The civil Governor, Kessler, a teacher of great experience, despite his youth, superin- tends the lessons in other elementary branches, and enforces discipline. The Emperor's children also cultivate the arts. The Crown Prince and his next brother learn the violin and the piano. A sergeant- major drills the younger Princes every day, and an hour a day is devoted to riding. From their earliest years the children are put on ponies and learn at once to mount a horse bare-backed. William II. superin- tends these lessons in person, because of his love for horses, and his exceptional skill as a horseman. As soon as the little Princes can sit their horses, they io6 William 11. at Home nil. YULMj IRLMhs, t.l\U\G THEIR FAIHKR THE EMl'EROK A MILITARY SALUTE. are taught to jump. It does not take them long to learn to jump hurdles, hedges, and even walls. As to the elder Princes, they can jump at drill the same r The Little Kings 107 obstacles as the Emperor does. They are made to jump on a bare-backed horse, and then with stirrups they start away to clear the obstacles. Each Prince, when he has completed his course of riding-lessons, is given on his birthday a pony, and these little ponies, as well as some dogs which live in the stables, are the great joy of the Princes, big and little. At the end of the riding-lesson the young Princes are obliged to lead their mounts back to the stables themselves, unsaddle them and rub them down. In winter the Princes amuse themselves skating on an artificial piece of ice which has been constructed in the castle of Bellevue (the Berlin Palace), In the summer, when the Imperial Eamily are living at the New Palace, the children, out of lesson hours, play out of doors. When the weather is fine they also have their riding-lessons out of doors. Each of the Princes has a square in the garden where he may amuse himself by digging and planting, watering and cutting the grass with shears. There, too, they gallop about on their ponies, while the elder ones amuse themselves playing in the minia- ture fortress, which was constructed last year in the neighbourhood of the New Palace. This fortress has been built according to all the rules of fortification, and its walls are made of brick. The ramparts, sur- rounded by a ditch filled with water, rise to the (o8 William 11. at Home respectable height of ten feet, and are furnished with casemates. The fortress is further strengthened with armed towers, in which are placed some cannon given by Krupp. These cannon are supplied with every modern contrivance, and by hydraulic power they can be advanced or retired in the battlements. 1'his fortress, which cost a great deal of money, is not only intended for the instruction of the young Princes ; it is there that models of new weapons presented to William II. are kept. There the Princes receive some part of their military training. The three elder ones are already officers in the army, with corresponding rank in the marines. The Crown Prince, who is a born soldier, takes care that his younger brothers shall not betray much ignorance on military matters. They treat the " little ones," as they call them, pretty severely, and willingly play at being their teachers. Prince Adalbert, who was placed on the roll of the marines as sub-lieutenant at six years old, and who is expected to become some day an Admiral in the German navy, is instructed in everything per- taining to naval matters, during the hours devoted to military studies. At the New Palace the Princes have a gymnasium and a place for playing football. The children of the members of the Court society are not, as a rule in- vited, except on State occasions. The Princes, who are THE.liMI'EROR AND HIS SONS. The Little Kings i 1 1 sufficient for themselves in their hours of recreation, have no time to be bored. Nevertheless, to accustom them to the society of other children, from time to time some boys are invited particularly to keep the elder Princes company. These boys are popularly called Prugels knabiu (the boys who receive the blow) — in other words, the Princes' whipping boys. But in official circles it is declared that this story has no foundation but malicious gossip. The head governor of the elder Princes at present is a man who was military attache at Vienna, Colonel von Deines ; their instructor is Second-lieutenant von Rauch. The Crown Prince and Prince Eitel Frederick undertook last year a journey in Southern Germany, travelling incognito. The preceding years they had spent at Wilhelmshohe, near Cassel. The ponies ac- company the Princes everywhere, in order that they may have their horse exercise daily, and that their riding-lessons may not be neglected. At Sassnitz the Princes wear sailors' dress and spend all their time on the beach looking for shells and coloured stones. But under all circumstances the dress of the young Princes is of the simplest description. The Empress is most economical over her children's toilet. Their clothes are bought at outfitters' shops. The repairs are done in the workroom where the Empress' own wardrobe is mended. When the clothes have been 112 William IL at Home outgrown, they are by no means thrown away, but are cut up for the smaller ones. During their stay at Sassnitz, a man-of-war is placed at the disposal of the Empress and her children for long excursions by sea. The sailors teach the young Princes to row. This life of active, physical, and in- tellectual work has its set-off from a material point of view ;— the Princes have enormous appetites. The Princes' birthdays are naturally occasions of much rejoicing. Each Prince, when he awakes on his birth- day morning, finds his birthday cake ornamented with as many candles as he has numbered years. On the table in his room are his presents ; new clothes, articles for his work and books, but comparatively few toys. The child is at once congratulated by his brothers, then it is the turn of his parents, then of the Court functionaries, and lastly of the servants. Everybody brings a present of more or less value. In the evening there is a great dinner ; in the afternoon a number of children are invited, and, in honour of the Prince whose birthday is being celebrated, they all have a holiday. The chief present is a pony, or, faihng that, a tricycle ; and in order that the memory of this present may live in their minds, no time is lost in having them photo- graphed on horseback or on the tricycle. The Empress, when a professional photographer is not at hand, does it herself, and does it very well, if one may believe THE EMPEROR AND HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER The Little Kings 1 1 5 those who have had an opportunity of judging from the specimens in her album. The great festival, however, is, at Court as in the town, Christmas Day. The Emperor, the Empress, their children, celebrate it, sometimes at the Palace in Berlin, sometimes at the New Palace at Potsdam. In 1895 the celebration of the festival was particularly characteristic, and took place at Potsdam. On Christmas morning the director of the Royal Manu- factory at Berlin sent to the Emperor a dozen plates especially made for His Majesty, These plates, with open-worked borders after antique designs, were painted with twelve different pictures of Royal castles. A little while before the second break- fast, which that day was served at twelve o'clock. Captain Pliiskow, of the First Foot Guards, and com- mander of the model company whose chief honorary member is William II., presented himself. According to an ancient custom, the Captain presented to the Emperor and the Princes the Christmas spiced bread garnished with mar-zipan, with the Black Eagle in the middle and the motto, " Suiim cuiqueT After breakfast, at which the Emperor's family and suite had been present, WiUiam II., wearing a naval uniform, gave his arm to the Empress and, as is customary at this time, walked with her round the park. Then he went to the mausoleum of the " Friedenskirche^' to visit his ii6 William 11. at Home father's tomb, and remained there in prayer some minutes. At four o'clock another flimily meal took place, after which the whole Imperial family, accom- panied by all the Court dignitaries, went upstairs to the second floor of the New Palace, where, in the Empress' ante-room an enormous Christmas-tree, brilliant with a thousand candles and covered with a thousand presents, was displayed. The servants were all assembled in the room. A Christmas carol was sung by the ladies of the Court and the Royal children. Then the servants were summoned forward and the Emperor and Empress presented them with their Christmas gifts, with pleasant words. These presents are always good ones for the servants, and, moreover, they are not distributed at Ivazard. Through the agency of Court functionaries an efiT)rt is made to find out what the servants, men and women, want, and to fulfil their wishes as far as possible. Therefore they are very much surprised to receive just what they are wishing for. The families of the older servants, those who have been long at the Palace, also receive presents from the Emperor and Empress. The Imperial family, after having walked between the rows of persons to speak a few words with all present, returned to the ground-floor to the Muschelsaal. Here, in a recess in the middle of the hall, which for the occasion was draped with green, the Nativity was AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT AT THE COURT OF WIII.IAM II, The Little Kings 1 1 9 represented. To the right and left of the recess pine torches were flaring. Here the Emperor, the Empress, and the Imperial children each had his own Christmas- tree, and a big table on which costly presents were laid. The ladies and gentlemen of the Court also had their presents placed on long tables. The Emperor received from his wife six beautiful cups of English china, with gold tea-spoons, two landscape paintings, and six plates of china decorated with scenes from seafiring life. William II. gave the Empress a large oil painting and antique necklace. The Crown Prince found on his table the complete uniform of an officer of the Guards, an officer's sword, and a small gun. For the other Princes the other tables were covered with lead soldiers, cardboard forts, and books. Prince Eitel Frederick was favoured by receiving a dappled grey pony which he had long wished for. The two brothers of the Crown Prince and of Prince Eitel Frederick were particularly delighted with the drums which they were given. Little Princess Louise, whom no doubt it was desired to imbue from her earliest years with the tastes of a good housekeeper, received a complete apparatus for washing and ironing. This is an exact account of how the Imperial family spent one Christmas. Another festival celebrated in characteristic fashion I20 William II. at Home is the Ostereier Suclien — in other words, " Looking for the Easter Eggs." This takes place at the Castle of Bellevue. Easter eggs are hidden in the park, and the Emperor and the children, with their little friends, amuse themselves with finding them^a very simple game, but one which gives pleasure, not only to children, but also to grown-up people. There is a description which we have seen of this festival in 1890 which gives us some details and shows the popularity of this game at Court. At three o'clock the Imperial children and their friends were assembled, all wearing their best clothes, and each carrying a little basket. The Prince of Meiningen, the Count von Moltke, and their suite, had arrived at half-past two to hide the Easter eggs ; there were also there Countess BrockdorfF, Countess Keller, Herr von Gersdorff, the Marshal of the Court, Baron von der Beck, Major von Schole, Major von Falken- hey?i. Major von Zitzewitz, and Major von Billow. Amongst the children, besides the children of the Emperor, there were the five children of the Princess de Solms, the children of the Marshal of the Court, van Lynckner, Major von Billow's children, the youngest daughter of General von Hahnke, etc., etc. A little after three the search commenced, and, thanks to the children's activity, it did not last long. Soon each one returned, laden with eggs. Little Prince Auguste The Little Kings 121 A i THE TWO YOUNGEST CHILDREN OK THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS. William had the good luck to find in a bush a little poodle puppy, to the neck of which was attached an Easter egg. Then the children reassembled for refreshment, whilst 122 William IL at Home their parents were served with a special luncheon. But the old Marshal von Moltke, in spite of his advanced years, had enjoyed this game of looking for the eggs, as much as the children. The Empress had hidden especially for him, in the middle of the flowers, some marvellous Easter eggs, which, with much sniffing about, he quickly found, to the great joy of the spectators, who loudly applauded him. At six o'clock the entertainment was over. Everybody left the Palace, and the public were not a little curious when they saw Marshal von Moltke sitting in his carriage in the midst of numberless Easter eggs. CHAPTER VI. MARRIAGES AT COURT. CHAPTER VI. MARRIAGES AT COURT. SOME details concerning the manner in which Royal marriages are celebrated may perhaps not be without interest to the reader. These family cere- monials are regulated by special solemnities, and are subject to a programme which is rigidly observed. The wedding festivities of a prince or princess generally las.t two or three days. The first day is devoted to the civil marriage. Eor members of the Royal Family, the minister of the King's house fulfils the functions of the civil ofiicer of State. After having drawn up the marriage contract, signed and sealed it in the presence of all concerned, he places it in the archives of the Royal Family. At this cere- mony the Emperor, the Empress, all the Princes and Princesses, as well as the Court dignitaries, are present. Besides the State contract, the betrothed couple sign another marriage contract, in which the personal pro- perty of each is given in detail. The day is concluded by a dinner. The Princes are 126 William IL at Home invited, and the functionaries of the Palace and the suite sit at the table called the Marshal's table. In the evening there is a State Opera performance. Only those specially invited come. The ladies wear ball dress ; the dignitaries and officials are in full uni- form. All those invited are considered the Emperor's guests. On the second day the principal festivity takes place. It begins by the religious marriage ceremony. This ceremony is generally held -in the chapel of the Palace. The chaplain to the Royal Family officiates, assisted by the other clergy belonging to the Court and those belonging to the cathedral. The small dimensions of the chapel will not admit of other witnesses than the nearest relations, the Princes, and the highest Court officials. The remaining guests await, in the State rooms, the return of the procession, to offer their homage to the newly married pair. Before the altar, the bridegroom stands at the right of his bride. The bride wears a crown borrowed from the treasury of the Royal house, and the train of her dress must always be longer than that of any of the other princesses present. This train is carried by six maids-of-honour, amongst them, two from the Empress' household. These last represent the Sovereign, and stand near the bride, because she is wearing the Royal crown. The address spoken by the officiating clergy- Marriages at Court 127 man has to be approved of beforehand by the head of the house — that is to say, the Emperor. When the bridegroom pronounces the traditional " yes," he bows to the Emperor as the head of the family, to symbolise that he once more asks his consent before the marriage is definitely celebrated. When the cere- mony in the chapel is ended, and con- gratulations have been exchanged in the State apart- ments, the great ceremony of the table begins. Only the members of the Royal Families of Europe, or German princes belonging to the ancient Royal house, may sit at the table where the newly married couple sit. Everybody else, even the Chancellor of the Empire, the diplomatic circle, and the field-marshals, dine at the THE EMPRESS, AGED FIVE YEARS. 128 William IL at Home Marshal's table. The dinner is conducted according to a very strict etiquette. The bridegroom sits on the Emperor's right. The Emperor rises after the first course, and proposes the only toast allowed on this occasion. He raises a " Hoch ! " in honour of the bride and bridegroom, and at the same moment the Marshals of the Court, who are seated at the Marshals' table, give the signal for a general " Hoch ! " so that, as the programme of the ceremony has it, " the expres- sions of joy of all the guests mingle with those of the flmiily." The tables of the Marshals are cleared before that of the Princes, so that the guests may range themselves in the White Hall to await the arrival of the Princes and the great functionaries who are to take part in the torch- dance. This torch-dance was introduced a century ago into the ceremonials of the reigning family of Prussia. In the Middle Ages it was customary, when they wished to offer special homage to particular persons, to escort them home with torches. In the same way, certain great ladies were escorted home, preceded by dancers who carried flaming torches. The ceremonial actually prescribes that all the Prussian ministers in full uniform should take part in the torch-dance. All the Princes and Princesses of the Royal House, the Princes beside the Emperor, and the Princesses beside the Empress, are placed before the throne. At a signal from the Grand Marriages at Court 129 THE EMPRESS AGED TWELVE YEARS. Marshal the twelve ministers provide themselves with white wax candles, of which the flame burns like a torch. They bow to the Sovereigns and then to the bride and 9 I JO William 11. at Home bridegroom. The bride then asks the King, and after him each of the Princes, to dance, and takes a turn with each round the hall, dancing a sort of polonaise, while the ministers walk before them, each carrying his lighted torch. The band at the same time plays a piece composed especially for the occasion. When the bride has finished her dance with the Emperor and all the Princes, the bridegroom in his turn bows to the Empress and the Princesses and invites them to take a turn round the hall with him. As before, the ministers walk before them with their torches. When the dance is over the ministers accompany the young couple to the apartments, called " the Apart- ments of the Queen," giving their torches to twelve pages, who in their turn accompany the newly married to their own apartments. The official portion of the ceremony is now over. Those who have assisted in it retire, and on leaving they receive from the bride's lady-in-waiting what is called " a piece of the garter." It was the custom in the Middle Ages for the lady-in- waiting to carry off the bride's garter as soon as she had crossed the threshold of the bridal chamber. This lady-in-waiting then cut the garter in pieces and distributed them amongst the guests as souvenirs. To-day this custom is only kept up in a symbolic manner. The so-called garters distributed by the lady-in-waiting are pieces of silk and velvet measuring Marriages at Court 131 THE|EMl'Khbb AUKD ElGlllEK.N YKAKS. about tour inches long and one inch wide ; the upper part is decorated with silver braid, and in the middle, in letters of gold or silver, is embroidered the mono- 132 William 11. at Home gram of the bride and bridegroom ; the lower end is ornamented with gold or silver fringe. These pieces of stuff are kept with pious care in the archives of the Royal Family, and the Court society treasure with equal care the bits of silk or velvet which have been distributed. On the third day a grand dinner is given by the parents of the bride or by the Emperor, when His Majesty takes the place of the parents. The rigid and fatiguing ceremony of the two previous days is laid aside this time. It is a real family gathering, and is generally followed by a ball. CHAPTER VII. THE IMPERIAL TVARDROBE. 133 CHAPTER VII. THE IMPERIAL WARDROBE. IN a democratic country like France one cannot easily form any idea of the importance of the post of the German Imperial wardrobe-keeper. Neverthe- less, this post, filled by one of the oldest valets of the Court, is no sinecure. The German Emperor possesses, in fact, the uniforms of all the regiments of the Prussian army, and to these uniforms must be added the military head-gears, helmets, shakos, schapskas, epaulettes, swords, and cuirasses which go with these uniforms. The whole form a paraphernalia which must be guarded with the greatest care. Infantry uniforms, artillery uniforms, that of the Hussars, the Uhlans, the Dragoons, the Cuirassiers of the Guards, the different arms, to say nothing of the naval uniforms, must all be ticketed and arranged ; and at a sign from the Emperor the faithful valet must be ready to produce the dress that is wanted. William II. is equally honorary colonel of Bavarian regiments, of Wiirtemberg, Saxon, Baden, Hessian and 135 136 William 11. at Home divers other regiments, and each of these regiments has its own special uniform. The Emperor is also honorary colonel of regiments of infantry and cavalry in Austria, in Russia, in Sweden, in England, in Italy, etc., etc. Besides, he is Admiral of the Fleet of England and Admiral of the Fleet of Sweden ; and for everything he belongs to he must have a different uniform. Thus it will be seen that the Emperor's tailors have plenty to do. The foreign uniforms alone fill two large rooms, and are kept in immense cupboards. For his personal use the Emperor has German uniforms, and possesses, moreover, the full uniforms of Admiral and General, undress uniforms for lesser State occasions, and number- less tunics. Then come the hunting dresses, which he has had made especially for himself and for the Court, the uniform of the English yacht-clubs and the German yacht-clubs of which he is a member, his plain clothes for summer and winter, his attire for various sports, and for lawn tennis ; to these again must be added hats, gloves, and walking sticks, without mentioning his linen, chests full of orders, of rings, of cuffs, and even — of coat buttons. It will, after this, be no longer a matter of wonder if we say that no uniform shop is better furnished than the German Imperial wardrobe. One garment alone is The Imperial Wardrobe 137 not to be found in the many presses ; that is ... a dressing-gown. Shortly after the war of 1870 a manufacturer in the South of Germany sent to the Emperor a costly dressing-gown of gold brocade. THE EMPEROR WILLIAM IN HUNTING COSTUME. This dressing-gown was returned to the manufacturer with the brief remark, " The Hohenzollerns do not wear dressing-gowns." The flict is that the Hohen- zollerns are hardly out of bed before they are into their uniforms. William I. and Frederick III. kept up 138 William 11. at Home this habit, and William II. has never felt, any more than they, the necessity of possessing a dressing-gown, the favourite attire of Richard Wagner. The moment he gets up the Emperor dresses him- self for riding. Uniform is his ordinary and favourite dress. The Keeper of the Wardrobe has under him a number of assistants ; some of them are skilled in the art of tailoring, others chiefly attend to the buttons, others have alterations and repairs under their special charge. The strictest economy is observed in the whole of this department. The Emperor has his coats-of-arms refurbished three or four times, and has his collars and cuffs renewed. With regard to the plain clothes, the Keeper of the Wardrobe is not less particular. It must be said that while William spends compara- tively little money on his own personal wants, he spares no expense when it is a question of Court fetes and of presents to foreign Royalties. The Emperor has inherited habits of economy and of ostentation from his grandfather William I., who was at once niggardly in his private expenditure and prodigal towards his surroundings. This method of regulating expenditure is, it is true — politic. Sovereigns, like simpler mortals, understand that it is useful to win the interest of the largest possible number of persons. National and Foreign Orders form the accessories of \ The Imperial Wardrobe M9 the Emperor's wardrobe. They are worth in them- selves a small fortune ; then- value is calculated to THE EMPRESS AS HON. COLONEL OF THE SECOND POMERANIAN CUIRASSIER REGIMENT. be something like a million marks (about ^^50,000.) They are kept in a special cabinet, which is under the 140 William IL at Home charge of a privy councillor. When William travels he always takes some of them with him to adorn himself with at great military festivals or z\n\\ fetes. The Empress' wardrobe is given into the charge of the readers, but a servant experienced in such matters does the actual business of looking after it. The Empress' wardrobe is flir from being as abundantly furnished as the Emperor's ; and dresses do not last as long as uniforms, and have to be changed more frequently. It would be impossible to fix, even approximately, the number of dresses that are yearly necessary for the Empress. It may, however, be said that she does not need many dresses for outdoors or for the house ; she dresses very simply, like a good middle-class woman, and no one could be more careful of her things. On the other hand, she must have a great many grand Court toilettes^ for festivities are multiplied at the Palace of Berlin. If, for instance, there is a marriage in the fiimily coming off", the Empress orders, solely for the days of ceremony, from twelve to fifteen dresses. Generally the Empress and Princesses only wear a fete dress once, or at least put it on for one other State occasion when it has been altered. For these great occasions the most expensive stuffs and trimmings are used ; brocaded velvets, gold and silver brocades, and moire antique. The trimmings are diamonds, pearls, and lace. The Imperial Wardrobe 141 When a State costume has been worn once or twice, it is taken to pieces in the work-room, and the pieces are afterwards used in the composition of other fefe dresses. Then the richest of the stuffs are given to the ladies of the Court, who keep them in memory of their Sovereign, and bequeath them to their families. Not later than 1896, at a festivity in England, a lady in English society appeared in a dress, with a train which had origin- ally belonged to Queen Elizabeth. That queen, in the year 1603, had presented it to one of her Court ladies, and, descending from one to another, it had become the property of one of the members of that lady's fiimily. It is still the fashion at the German Court to wear those trains of gold or silver which are very expensive, and of which the eff'ect is most brilliant. The price of one of these trains is as much as twenty and sometimes even forty thousand marks (_^iooo and ^2000). Their length depends on the height of the ladies who wear them. Some are more than six yards long ; and when this is the case, they are so heavy that it is impossible for the wearer to walk without a servant to hold it up. The Empress' train and those of the Princesses are carried by pages, well trained in the management of them, accord- ing as the illustrious wearers are seated or standing up. In the work-room set apart for the care of the ward- robe, a Court lady directs the work of ten or twelve dressmakers ; just before a great festival, or on the eve 142 William IL at Home of the Empress' departure for any visit, there are at least forty seamstresses employed. Here they merely repair and renovate costumes for outdoor and house wear. The great State dresses are made in the private work-rooms specially devoted to that kind of work. It is a curious detail that for these dresses the work- room is not supplied with more than ten or fifteen pounds' worth of fashion-plates. The Empress does not buy her own stuffs nor order her Court dresses in person. When the manufacturers have new patterns, they come to the Palace, and the Empress' Mistress of the Robes makes a choice which she submits to the Sovereign. The Empress gives her orders, after having examined the patterns. For special occasions the work-rooms send her coloured designs. Then, as soon as these designs have been approved of by the Empress, the dressmakers in the work-rooms begin at once to make them up. The chief directress of the wardrobe takes the Empress' measure, and it is she who superintends the tryings- on and the alterations which may be thought advisable after the dresses have been finished. There are no end of mantles, hats, gloves, etc., in the Empress' wardrobe. It also contains fans of the greatest value ; most of them have been gifts from the Emperor, in particular one made entirely of grouse-feathers shot by himself. Amongst the feather fans and silk fans The Imperial Wardrobe 143 there are some marvellously painted, both old and modern, signed by great artists. The Court costumes which are not to be worn again by the Empress are given, as we have already said, to the ladies of the Court. As to the house and outdoor dresses, they come, according to an old custom, to the Mistress of the Robes, who can keep them or sell them as she pleases. In Berlin, there are several shops whose speciality it is to buy the dresses of the Princesses and of the ladies of the Court, from their lady's maids, to sell them again to persons who do not belong to the Court society. This chapter would be incomplete if we did not mention the Empress' jewels and farures. On State occasions she appears entirely covered with diamonds. She has them in her hair, round her neck, in her ears, on her bosom, on her arms, and round her waist. These jewels do not belong to the Empress herself. The greater part belong to the Prussian Crown, and are only at the disposal of the Prussian Queen Consort. The only things which are the Empress' private property are the diamonds which were part of her trousseau, those which the Emperor gave her, those given her by foreign Royalties, and those which she has inherited from her own family. Thus, the magnificent set of diamonds and pearls which belonged to the Empress Augusta were bequeathed by her to the present Empress. CHAPTER VIII. THE STABLES. lO CHAPTER VIII. THE STABLES THE Emperor's stables are admirably m.inaged. The management of them is confided to ex- perienced authorities, at whose head is the Count von Wedell. These stables contain more than three hundred and forty horses, of which the greater number are put in perfectly clean loose boxes, and are situated in the " Breitestrasse," at BerHn, close to the Palace. The stables at Potsdam are also nearly always full, even during the absence of the Emperor and Empress. With regard to the size, the luxury, the number of horses, they cannot compete — far from it — ^with those of several German princes. They have not the splendour in particular of the magnificent stables of the Austrian Court. Under the orders of the Count von Wedell, several functionaries look after the welfare of the horses and carriages, A privy councillor, at the head of the Royal house, fulfils the functions of head clerk, assisted 147 148 William 11. at Home by ;i treasurer and comptroller. Disputable matters are settled by a privy councillor, and another councillor has charge of the building of the carriages. Two or three officers are attached to the Master of the Horse. They always belong to the cavalry, and their position THE EMPRESS CARRIAGE. is purely honorary. , An equerry, [^ retired cavalry officer, is attached to the service of the Emperor and Empress ; on State occasions he rides beside Their Majesties' carriage. A chief veterinary surgeon, an assistant veterinary The Stables i49 surgeon, and three ordinary equerries, complete the staff of the stables, in which there arc besides a consider- able number of coachmen, grooms, etc. Frederick-William I. founded at Trakener, in Eastern Prussia, a stud, the reputation of which is universal, even to this day. This establishment supplies the Imperial stables, and sends stallions to other studs of the Empire. Nevertheless, all the Emperor's horses do not come from Trakener, and the authorities do not hesitate to buy a well-bred animal, wherever it may come from. There are six harness horses, kept specially for the Emperor's use, which one particularly remarks. They are magnificent black animals, from six to eight years old, full of spirit, but at the same time of very pure breed. It is, indeed, most necessary that the Imperial coachmen should have very steady horses to drive, and ones which arc not affected by any surprise. The Emperor very rarely tells his coachman or his footman where he wishes to be driven. They arrive at a cross- road ; the footman leans down towards the Sovereign, who indicates by a gesture which turn is to be taken. In his turn the footman acquaints the coachman with the Emperor's wishes, and the equipage must immedi- ately make a sudden turn to take the road which has been pointed out. Six bay horses, magnificent animals also, are reserved 150 William IL at Home for the Empress' use. For the Court there are sixty- six carriage horses, all without exception black, and all from Trakener. The Empress' riding horses are light brown and dark brown. To these must be added the THE EMPEROR S CHARGER. horses which figure at grand reviews, m.anceuvres, and other ceremonies, those which are ridden by foreign Royalties, the Emperor's guests, and the military attaches^ etc. The Stables 151 All the horses in the stables iire from six to ten years old. The five-year-olds begin to be broken in at the beginning of the month of April and. of the month ;of| October^ every year, and after six months' training theyjare^put in harness. THE STATE CARRIAGE. The Emperor, who, as a general rule, likes horses with easy manners, likes his horses to be trained to step a la Spaniard, that is to say, to dart forward with spirit, with a long stride and the legs well forward. Thus one can always recognise from af ir the Imperial carriage, by the somewhat pompous and unusual paces 152 William IL at Home of the horses. Moreover, the carriage is painted white and blue, while the other Court carriages are painted red and black. Restive horses, or those who, from some fault, are not suitable for the use of the Court, are sold every year by auction ; even those which are over ten years old are not accorded by the Emperor's favour the privilege of ending their days in idleness. These auctions are distinguished from similar sales by the fact that the faults and vices of each horse must be mentioned. In horse-dealing, as a rule, it is custom- ary to conceal these as much as possible. The auction is superintended by an equerry. A groom, as the name of each horse is called, reads out a list of its faults. The bidding then begins, and sometimes runs up very high. The buyers are recruited from among the officers, large landowners, and also those who wish to procure handsome carriage horses. It is not unusual to see animals whose faults are of small consequence go for from four to five thousand marks (^200 to ^250). The work in the stables is divided according to the teams. A team consists of eight carriage horses or six saddle horses. A single under groom has charge of two saddle horses. A team of eight carriage horses is under the charge of a coachman and three postilions. The whole staff must be very careful of the animals. The stable service is regulated by The'' Stables ^S3 rotation, as in a regiment of cavalry. A team may always be composed of six horses, with the coachman and two postilions. The master postilion rides the seventh horse, and the eighth is kept in case of accidents. THE EMPEROR S FAVOURIIE IIUKSE. The annual expenses of the Imperial stables amount to about ten thousand pounds. The expenses incurred by the moving from place to place of the Emperor and Empress, who are always accompanied by a considerable staff and equipages, must also be taken into account. Even when the Emperor goes abroad — to St, Petersburg for example — he is 154 William 11. at Home preceded by a detachment of stable functionaries, an equerry, grooms, postilions, and stablemen. If he travels in Germany — if, for instance, he goes to the manoeuvres, or if he visits a town for a couple of days — a special train conveys a number of carriages and a large staff. This detachment always goes in advance, so that the horses may become accustomed to the change in their surroundings, and that the coachmen may learn the topography of the country and the roads the Emperor will want to drive along. At reviews, when it is necessary to mount a great number of officers and foreign personages, the Royal stables have not enough horses. They are then obliged to hire good saddle horses. The Emperor is very fond of driving himself, and he does it with great self-confidence. He likes very fast horses. The team he likes best is one of four white horses which the Emperor of Austria gave him, and which was completed by purchases made in Hungary. It is with this team that he traverses the distance between Berlin and Potsdam — four good miles — in sixteen minutes. With regard to the carriages, there are twelve State carriages, and a hundred and fifty carriages for the suite. When it is fine, and on great occasions, the Emperor and Empress go out in an open landau, drawn by mag-nificent black horses. WEDDING PRESENT TO THE EMPEROR; USED AS A STATE CARRIAGE. FREDERICK THE GREATS CARRIAGE. The Stables 157 The Emperor's saddle horse is a very handsome brown bay, with very pretty paces ; the Empress' favourite mount, Ziegfried, is a Hght chestnut, with- out a single white hair. Both these saddle horses are superb and highly bred animals. CHAPTER IX. THE COURT— THE SUITE— THE SERVANTS. '59 CHAPTER IX. THE COURT-THE SUITE— THE SERVANTS. THE Emperor is assisted in all affairs of administra- tion and government by the ministers and the secretaries of state, who present to him at regular intervals their reports on current affiirs, and who in any serious situation ask his opinion at other than the stated times. Besides the ministers and secretaries of state, there are three chief cabinet ministers : one chief for the civil department — Herr von Lucanus ; one for the military department, particularly the promo- tion, the retirement, or exchange of officers — Herr General von Hahnke ; and finally, one for the naval department — Rear-Admiral Baron von Senden-Bibrau. For the execution of personal business, and for his private correspondence, the Emperor has his own special chancellor's office and a personal staff which administers the Crown treasury and regulates the charities. The Emperor's suite consists of a first aide-de-catnp, who is actually the military head of the household, i6i II 1 62 William IL at Home General von Hahnke, and an aide-de-camp on duty, the Imperial commandment, General von Plessen. The duty of the aide-de-camps is, under present circumstances, to represent directly the person of the Emperor. By his orders they attend such ceremonies as he is unable to be present at, and take his place. They receive, in the Emperor's name, the princes who come to visit at the Palace and on their departure accompany them to the Palace gate. When the Emperor walks or travels, they are always with him. Beside these two attendants, the Emperor has a number of aide-de-camps in general, who only exercise their functions occasionally, and for the most part are in command of the army corps. Six officers of the staff are also attached to the service of the Emperor and Empress. They are always waiting in the room next to the audience-chamber, in order to be constantly at the orders of the Emperor, who may at any moment give them some order or send them on some message to a commanding officer. These aide-de-camps ^ as well as the general aide-de- camps, receive no extra pay for their attendance on the Emperor, They have to be contented with their officer's pay. Their uniform is distinguished by the silver braid which is added to it. They dress at the Palace, and have their meals there. In the great military quarter there are also a great many aide-de- The Court — the Suite — the Servants 163 camps ill general, and aide-de-camps of the suite, who held this office in the time of William I. The Court ceremonies are given into the charge of the Grand Chamberlain, the Grand Marshal, the First Royal Huntsman, the First Cup-bearer, and the First GENERAL VON HAHNKE. Gentleman Carver. These posts are filled by princes, who receive no remuneration. It is true that they only appear on occasions of very great ceremony, such as the Chapter of the Order of the Black Eagle, or at a Coronation. At these great ceremonies they walk in the procession just behind the Emperor, and 164 William IL at Home their rank serves to enhance the brilliancy of the Court, and to throw up in stronger relief the person of the Monarch. All these personages have under their special orders the Master of the Cellars, the Gentleman of the Bed- chamber, the first Gentleman Carver, the Governor of the Castle, and the Master of the Kitchens. These last also exercise their functions very rarely, and also figure in the great ceremonies. On the other hand, the General Inspector of the Royal Theatres, the Royal Huntsman in Ordinary, and above all the Grand Master of the Court, the Grand Marshal, and the Grand Master of the Cere- monies, do their work very effectively. The last two offices are, as a matter of fact, united in one person. There is another class of Court functionaries who receive pay and are permanently employed. These are the Marshal of the Imperial Household, the Introducer of the Ambassadors, the Second Master of the Cere- monies, the Second Master of the Hunt, and the Second Marshal of the Court. The Empress' household is actually directed by the Countess von Brockdorff, who has under her three ladies-in-waiting who belong to the highest nobility. They accompany the Empress everywhere, and receive no salary. The Empress' household consists besides of a Grand Major-domo, Herr von Mirbach, a second A RECENT PORTRAIT OK THE EMPRESS 1 The Court — the Suite — the Servants 167 major-domo, two chamberlains-in-waiting, two pages, and a doctor. The Empress' office, in which all correspondence is attended to, is managed by the Grand Major-domo, Herr von Mirach, and is composed of a chamberlain, three secretaries, and a government privy councillor. The position of the Marshal of the Court is very important. He looks after all the business of the household and all the personal requirements of the Sovereign. All that concerns the Emperor and his family is his business. He is also in constant com- munication with the public offices, the ministers, the municipal authorities, the provincial department, etc. William II., as Emperor of Germany, has no special Marshal of the Court. This office is filled by the Grand Marshal of the Court of Prussia. The King of Prussia, in fact, receives no allowance for the expenses — which, it may be remarked, are very heavy — which the Empire entails, nor for the expenses which are the immediate result of the Imperial dignity. It is the King of Prussia who has to bear all these expenses. The German Emperor receives annually from the Empire a sum of six hundred thousand marks (about _^30,ooo), which has to be divided entirely between those servants of the State who have deserved a pension, artists in want, the victims of inundations or other catastrophes, and Germans in distress living 1 68 William IL at Home in foreign countries. The Grand Marshal of the Prussian Court fills the same office at the Emperor's Court, therefore one may perhaps call him the Grand Marshal of the Imperial Court. The Grand Marshal has in his employ sixty ser- vants and assistants, who are thus distributed; (i) the adminstration ; (2) the treasury ; (3) the office ; (4) the Chancellor's office ; (5) the building committee ; (6) the adminstration of the Hohenzollern museum ; (7) the office for the settlement of disputed points ; (8) the library and works of art ; (9) personal attend- ance on the Emperor and Empress ; (10) the Court quartermasters; (11) the kitchens; (12) the cellars; (13) the plate department ; (14) the linen and laundry ; (15) the executive of the palaces of Berlin, Charlotten- burg, and Potsdam, and their grounds; (16) the warming of the palaces ; (17) the d.'poi for building materials. The mere enumeration of these different sub-divisions gives some idea of the extent of the business which falls on the Grand Marshal. The examples which we are about to give will throw a stronger light on the enormous amount of work which he has to accomphsh, and will enable us to see that even the different departments which are not directly under the control of the Grand Marshal are nevertheless in constant communication with him, and have to work in unison with him. These The Court — the Suite — the Servants 169 are notably the glass-works, the gardens, the stables, the Royal theatres, and the Court music. Before giving some typical instances of the Grand Marshal's widely circulating energy, let us mention the numerous functionaries who are employed in his departments. At the head we find the Grand Marshal of the Palace and of the Royal Household, the Grand Master of the Ceremonies, Count Eulenburg. His staff consists of the Court secretaries, the aulic coun- cillors, and the privy councillors. Then comes the staff of the Chancellor's office, and of the clerk's offices, the treasurers, the accountants, the copying clerks, and the secretaries of the Chancellor's office. The heads of the subdivisions are the Chief Engineers, the Government councillors, the councillors of the sanitary department. For the private administration of the Imperial household there are masters of the kitchens, master-butlers, and quartermasters ; these last are recruited from the footmen attached to the person of the Sovereign, and their duties are to look after the servants and superintend the division of the daily personal service. They decide which footman shall be employed during the day on walks and drives, those which shall be told off to the service of the table, and those which shall wait in the ante-rooms. They see that each servant is at his post and is fulfilling his duty thoroughly. lyo William II. at Home During the Kmperor's travels, they fulfil the same functions as the army quartermasters ; they prepare the cantonments, as it were ; they go on in advance and do the work of travelling couriers. All the male portion of the staff of servants come from the army. The demand for these places is very great, for they are well paid, and are often given instead of retiring pensions. Moreover, they carry with them many advantages for the family of the servant. The Grand Marshal, whose business it is to engage the servants, takes great trouble in the choice. As soon as a new one comes it is the Emperor himself who, according to the report which he receives, decides as to his promotion, or to the punishment he has incurred, his dismissal or his retirement. The footmen are invariably taken from the infantry. They must have been non-commissioned officers, and have given proofs of exemplary conduct. Those men who have a fine presence and who have many medals are chosen in preference to others. Under the Emperor William I. all the servants wore the iron cross. The footmen rise gradually and always begin with the lowest place. The servants attached to the Emperor's person are always taken from the regi- ments of Chasseurs in the German army. They must have had a certain amount of education and have The Court — the Suite — the Servants 171 risen to at least the rank of corporal in the army. They have to perform the same duties as the Royal foresters. The wait at table, attend on the occasion of hunting parties in the capacity ot loaders, and GROOMS AND COACHMEN. accompany the Emperor when he travels or goes out. The quartermasters are recruited from amongst these footmen. The superintendent of the building department has to effect repairs, which are perpetually necessary, and 172 William 11. at' Home to look after the erection of new buildings in the Royal Palaces or in the provincial parks. The Court physicians are expected to give their services to the whole staff. The Emperor and Empress are not attended by the Court physicians, but by doctors attached specially to themselves. Now let us have a few instances of the extraordinary activity of the Grand Marshal. Let us suppose that some one addresses a petition to the Emperor. This must not be confounded with a petition for pardon or the remission of a punishment, for in that case, as a public matter would be in question, it would go to the civil office and would not be the business of the Grand Marshal. But, on the other hand, if a petition has to do with a demand for assistance, for employment, or promotion, then it is the affair of the Grand Marshal. If it is a question of a nomination or promotion in the service of the State, the civil office has still the right to judge, but if it is about a nomination or promotion in the Emperor's private service, the petition is examined by the Grand Marshal. The number of petitions for help which the Grand Marshal receives in the course of the year is considerable. But if there are many applicants, there are few who receive what they ask for. It has been said that the Emperor himself opens and reads these petitions, but this is not so. In the time of Frederick the Great it The Court — the Suite — the Servants 173 is possible that the Monarch himself considered each petition. At that period the kingdom of Prussia did not contain more than six millions of inhabitants, and people wrote much less than they do to-day. To-day the Empire numbers no less than fifty millions of inhabitants. The number of petitions is incalculable. They are for the most part demands for assistance. If they were satisfied, the treasury would be speedily emptied. But none the less the Grand Marshal is obliged to examine them all ; and it is only when he thinks one of any interest that he submits it to the Emperor, accompanied by a report. He has nearly as much work with the presents which are sent to the Emperor without any reason. They are generally presents offered with the egotistical expectation of receiving a gift in exchange, or the title of Court Manufacturer or Purveyor. Sometimes the giver hopes to receive a letter of thanks from the Emperor, which he intends to use as an advertisement. In order to be relieved from these annoyances, William II. has once for all made it the duty of the Grand Marshal to return without ceremony all presents. But in spite of this decision the presents continue to flow in. There are also numerous offers of articles for sale. Sometimes the articles in question are really objects 174 William IL at Home of value or works of art, but generally they are worth- less things. The Grand Marshal examines all these articles with the greatest care, getting the advice of experts, and then sends back everything which is not worth submitting to His Majesty. If, on the other hand, the thing is worth having, it is shown to the Emperor, who decides whether or not it shall be bought. The Grand Marshal has also to receive all persons who desire an audience. These are legion, and if the Emperor condescended to receive them all, he would not have a minute left to attend to his various occupa- tions, which are the more various as his tastes are so various. In fact, it is almost impossible for anybody who has not been expressly summoned into the Emperor's presence, or who has not the strongest and highest recommendations, to penetrate into it. Some audacious journalists, jealous of the success won by M. Gaston Calmette when he managed to obtain a long and interesting interview with the King of Italy, en- deavoured by all sorts of means to obtain an interview with William II. But it was all in vain. The German Emperor is not yet sufficiently modern to confide to a newspaper reporter his opinions on any subject what- ever. The most that has been possible has been to approach-^at a respectful distance — at the celebration The Court — the Suite — the Servants 175 of the opening of the Kiel Canal. On that occasion he talked so much on all subjects, and has done so on other occasions, that one asks oneself, what in truth could a journahst obtain from the lips of the inheritor of WilHam the First's glory that has not already been published ? In spite of the difficulties placed in the way of simple citizens who wish to speak to the Emperor, there are still some who cling to the hope of success, and, with a courage and determination worthy of a better fate, leave their provinces or their villages to go to Berlin or Potsdam, with the intention of making an application to see the Sovereign. They return cast down — and not pleased. The procedure necessary to be observed, to obtain an audience of the Emperor, is not so rapid. First, it is indispensable to write to the Grand Marshal, and explain to him exactly what is the object of the intended visit. Then the request is considered, and, if it is deserving of attention, it is referred to the Emperor, who finally decides whether the audience shall be granted. The same method has to be followed by deputations which desire to be received by William II. A small parish, situated in the east of Prussia, had an endless lawsuit with the forestry department, and had to pay several thousand marks for legal expenses. One of the longest-headed persons in the district suggested 176 William II. at Home sending a deputation to the Emperor, to beg of him to pay these expenses. When the delegates arrived in Berlin, they found that they had, at any rate for the time, taken a useless journey, and that they would not be received without previously announcing their object in coming. Sent before the Grand Marshal, they had to explain what they wanted. According to custom, they were advised to return home and quietly await the result of their appHcation. Otherwise they must remain a fortnight or so at the hotel, until the necessary information on the subject had been obtained. Moreover, it was added, if their business was not very important, the chances were that they would be refused an audience. In urgent cases, if the Grand Marshal is apprised by telegram of an audience demanded of William II. the necessary information is also sought by telegram and by telegram the answer is sent. This was the procedure acted on by the miners delegated by their fellow workmen during the great strike in Westphalia in 1889. It maybe remarked in passing that the Emperor consented to receive these delegates. Individuals or deputations which have been granted an audience must be at the Palace of Berlin or Potsdam at the hour fixed upon, furnished with the Grand Marshal's permission, and must be announced to the adjutants on duty. One of these examines the The Court — the Suite— the Servants 177 Marshal's pass, compares the names with the list which has been sent him by the Grand Marshal, and shows the expectant visitor to a place in the waiting-room. The petitioners then become, in a certain sense, the guests of the Emperor, and are treated as such by the aide-de-camps and the servants who are in the hall. The adjutant on duty gives them all information con- cerning the manner in which they should comport themselves during an audience, how to answer, how to bow, how to take leave, etc. There is a formulary for all this, as for the rest. 12 CHAPTER X. ONE OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY'S WORKING DA YS. 179 I CHAPTER X. ONE OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY'S WORKING DA YS. THE energy of the Emperor is proverbial. He never rests, and professes the deepest horror ot idleness. Moreover, his capacity for work is pro- digious. Amongst those who immediately surround him there is even some fear that his health will some day suffer from his continual efforts to examine into all the affairs of the Empire himself. To rest his brain he indulges in all those physical exercises in which he excels. The Emperor gets up at five o'clock in the morning. As soon as he is up he takes a cold bath. His mother — who is a daughter of Oueen Victoria, and an Englishwoman — has given him a taste from his earliest childhood for cold water, which is so wholesome for those who can stand it. After his bath, he dresses quickly and breakfasts at half past-six. Immediately after breakfast the Emperor goes into his study, where piles of letters and quantities of |8i 1 82 William IL at Home documents await him. There are letters received during the night at the Post Office and which special messengers bring the first thing in the morning to the Palace of Berlin or the Palace of Potsdam. There are also reports in the handwriting of the ministers, and of high authorities. The Emperor, who himself sees to everything, has so much to do in reading all these documents that if he wishes to examine each in detail — which with him is a principle — he cannot allow him- self an instant's rest. It is very rarely that he postpones the consideration of any sort of business. He settles everything at the hour he has appointed, even though, to do so, he has to take an hour or two from his sleep. The adjutants on duty are at their posts at half-past six. The Emperor discusses with them the orders for the day, and at seven he usually goes to see his children. He then betakes himself to the room where he receives, for the most part, the reports of the Marshals. Then come conferences with the functionaries under the orders of the Master of the Household. In these inter- views the details of such and such a ceremony are discussed, the programme for some impending journey- of the Emperor made out, and the probable expense calculated, etc. In the same way the Emperor, during his hours of work, looks into the affairs of the Imperial house- One of the Emperor's Working Days 183 hold, examines the accounts, approves of orders given by the Grand Marshal, and, in a word, settles all questions relating to the daily domestic life. On important occasions he receives the ministers, the THE EMPERORS STUDY. councillors with their reports, the prefect of police, generals, and great functionaries. It is the greatest delight to the Emperor to receive the reports of these persons, and to sign the papers they present to him. The Empero; goes into all these reports with so much 184 William IL at Home zeal, though they are coming all day long, that he often says to those working with him, " I know I am giving you a lot of trouble, but I cannot do differently. I have a great task myself to accomplish, and I cannot make my decisions quickly." It frequently happens that the heads of the different departments bring him twenty papers to sign. Each of these is discussed, and of the twenty perhaps only three or four are carried away signed. For the others, the Sovereign is determined to have further information concerning them. By nine o'clock in the morning the Emperor has thus accomplished a good deal of business, and if the weather and the season permit, he goes out for a drive and afterwards takes a pretty long walk. If the weather is unfavourable for driving, he goes to the riding-school and rides for three-quarters of an hour. The Emperor is a good fencer, a good rider, and a good shot. When he is on horseback he likes to meet with difficulties. He not only jumps hedges and ditches, but also banks, called Irish banks, with the greatest ease. On days when a miUtary inspection takes place, the Emperor, who has thus had to ride in the open air for a long time, dispenses with his drive. He remains in the saddle for five or six hours at a stretch willingly. At about eleven the interviews and the reports begin One of the Emperor's Working Days 185 again. This is also the time when audiences are granted. Officers of high rank who have received promotion, or great functionaries who have been accorded a rise, are announced. He also receives the envoys and representatives of foreign countries, princes, and great lords. The Emperor converses with each of them for a few minutes. At levees the Emperor pays his guests some original attentions. During the course of a levee he will change his uniform five or six times. Thus, for instance, if the son of a deceased general of artillery comes to announce to William II. the death of his father, the Emperor does not fail to put on his artillery uniform to do honour to the officer who has died in his service. He wears the uniform of a general of artillery, of cavalry, of infantry, or the naval uniform, according to the person he receives and the position that person occupies. If the Emperor receives foreign representatives or military attaches of foreign Powers, he wears the uniform of the army of the country which the visitor represents, or at least the orders belonging to that country. This fatiguing ceremony lasts till about half-past two. The Emperor then goes again to join his children, who are already at table, and takes his second breakfast with them. 1 86 William IL at Home He then visits certain great functionaries, generals, and ministers, anci discusses State affairs with them. He visits an artist and sits for a picture or a bust. He inspects the barracks and the pubhc offices, and, if he has time, he concludes the afternoon with a carriage drive, which lasts till five or six o'clock. At half-past six he again receives persons who have some communication to make to him, or who come to consult him upon mihtary or civil business. He reads reports, and signs papers which were presented to him in. the morning, but which he wished to think over. Finally, at seven o'clock he dines with his family. On leaving the table the Emperor devotes some time to his children, who have spent the day in their studies, or in physical exercises ; then he returns to work. In the evening, as a novel recreation, the Emperor practises fencing. Towards ten he takes a light repast, and then retires to his bed-room. At a little after ten he summons his valet to help him to undress. On a table beside his bed there are always placed paper and pencil, in order that the Emperor may make a note of anything that occurs to him before he goes to sleep or before he gets up in the morning. Such is one of the Emperor's working-days, in ordinary circumstances. In extraordinary circumstances William II. imposes yet greater labour on himself. Think for a moment of the additional work imposed on One of the Emperor's Working Days 187 him by the visit of a king or any sort of prince. All the business of the day is done by him, no matter what happens, even when the visit of some great personage obliges him to spend half the day at repasts, drives and walks, and ceremonies. On these occasions his time is so parcelled out that it is often not till eleven o'clock in the morning that he can go into his study to glance at the newspapers, or read a new scientific, political, or literary book. It is past eleven at night before he can dispose himself for sleep. Even then he rises, if need be, at four o'clock, and begins again, without interrup- tion, the business of the State. At the same time, visits, military manoeuvres, inspections outside Berlin, occupy a great deal of the Emperor's time. During a journey he is never a moment idle. In the saloon carriage which is reserved for him, he writes, looks at reports, signs papers, etc. By the evening, after all the cere- monies at which he is obliged to be present, after the speeches and the toasts which he has had to listen to, and to which he has had to reply, he is very tired ; but, nevertheless, when he is once more in his room, he looks at papers, runs through documents, and appends his signature. When he is away from Berlin, which is the seat of government, he is careful to attend to all business with even greater promptitude and attention than usual. During reviews and inspections the Emperor is on 1 88 William IL at Home horseback, from five o'clock in the morning till two in the afternoon. He has hardly time to take his hurried meals. Immediately afterwards he sets to work to study the business of State, has a hvee in the afternoon, and assists at fresh ceremonies. Outwardly he does not show the least fatigue or the least effort. There is a sort of coquetry in his way of having a pleasant word for each of his visitors. In these exceptional circumstances the Emperor has often not more than three hours for sleep. The next day he is on horseback again at the earliest possible hour. Passionately fond of life by the sea, he is particularly fond of the natural beauties of the North Sea coast. Even during his pleasure trips he devotes a great part of his time to work. At every place where he stops he finds despatches, letters, reports for him, and even on his yacht his active spirit obliges him to read and study. It is true that he takes somewhat long voyages during the summer, when the departments take their holiday ; but the government machine never stops, and William II. has affiiirs to settle which require prompt execution. \\\ spite of all the work which the Emperor imposes on himself, he finds time to read most of the books of any importance which appear in Europe, whether literary, scientific, religious, or philosophical. A dis- tinguished linguist, having in particular a marvellous One of the Emperor's Working Days 189 acquaintance with French and German, he reads all these books, not in translations, but in the original. Therefore he is rarely at a loss when there is any discussion of a new book. In order to be abreast of all these studies, this reading, and these various labours, William II. is penetrated with the idea that only the most absolute regularity in the employment of time can enable him to solve the apparently unsolvable problem of how to have sufficient knowledge of everything which attracts human observation. He was prepared for this life of work by the severe education he was subjected to. He was, in fact, brought up in a hard school. P^ach day he had only half an hour to pursue his own tastes. Knowing the value of time, it is seldom indeed that he puts anything off till the morrow, A little theatrical in his manner, even one might say cabotin^ he has nevertheless a strong sentiment that the chief of the State should not only be the representative of authority, but also the most active collaborator in the life of the country of which he is the head. His mystical ideas have led him to believe that he holds his right to rule from the Deity. He is one of the last believers in Divine right, of which M. the Comte de Chambord was the last representative in France. ' Cabotin means literally " strolling player," but is an untranslatable word. CHAPTER XL JOURNEYS AND EXCURSIONS. 191 CHAPTER XI. JOURNEYS AND EXCURSIONS. IN the vicinity of the Glienicker bridge at Potsdam, close to the entrance of the Grand Park, is the " Sailor's station." On the banks of the Havel, which just here broadens out into a little lake, there are to be seen several curious- looking erections, somewhat yellow in colour and built of wood. These are the Swedish log-houses which the Emperor bought during his visit to the Northern countries and has had put up here. Close to these log-houses are a series of little sheds that serve as boat-houses for the Emperor's pleasure-boats, which during the winter are not used. These are flanked right and left by a battery of six cannon, ready for use, on gun-carriages. Behind the station is a small house for a head sailor, who is detailed every year from the Navy to superintend the Emperor's excursions on the water. Besides several boats for the use of the Princes, and several sailing-boats, the flotilla is chiefly composed 193 13 194 William IL at Home of a large steamboat, the Alexandria, in which the Emperor and his family and the suite make excursions, and which the Emperor also uses to go to Berlin, by going in her as far as Spandau and continuing the journey by rail. For this reason a landing-stage has been constructed at Spandau, where the Alexandria can be moored. The Emperor frequently goes out in a little sailing- frigate, the Marie-Louise, which he loves to steer himself. This frigate is built entirely of mahogany, and contains a cabin for ladies and one for gentlemen. She was done up new about two years ago, but she dates from a considerably earher period. In fact, she was given, in the year 1832, by King Wilham the Fourth of England to King Frederick-William the Third of Prussia. This vessel, with her three masts and her shape, looks like an old English man- of-war, and produces an impression as curious as it is pleasing. Nearly every year the Emperor takes a trip to Norway and Sweden. This is almost his only trip for rest and recreation. He generally invites a few persons with whom he is very intimate to accompany him. The sea-going ship which the Emperor uses, not only for his voyages to the North, but for all his excursions by sea, is the Hohenzollern. The Reichstag voted a sum of twenty thousand pounds for this vessel. THE EMPEROR IN HIS STUDY ON BOARD THE " HOHENZOlLERN." '%i . •■4<. Journeys and Excursions 197 The Hohenzollern measures in length a hundred and seventy-eight feet, in breadth about forty-five feet, and has a depth of about thirty-three feet ; her displace- ment is 4,187 tons. With the exception of the Kaiserin Augusta^ the Imperial yacht has more powerful machinery than any other of the German armoured ships. She has twin screws and eight boilers, and engines of nine-thousand horse power. Her speed is twenty knots an hour. Her crew consists of a hundred and seventy men. She is armed with three large, quick-firing guns, and twelve smaller ones. On the bow of this powerful vessel, white as snow, gleams the Imperial crown ; on her stern is seen the Hohenzollern arms, black and silver surrounded with laurels. From the deck rise two funnels and three steel masts ; below the captain's bridge there is a second deck where the passengers may walk, and which is formed by the roof of the ordinary cabins. Between decks on the starboard side are the Emperor's cabins ; to the left, on the port side, are those of the Empress. Forward of these come the Princes' cabins, and beyond them the captain's and officers' quarters. Then come the cabins of the suite, and altogether forward the hospital and the dispensary. The second between deck is reserved for the servants, for the wardrobes, for the Emperor's kitchens, and for the officers' kitchen. The apparatus for distilling water, and that for making ice, are also forward. T98 William II. at Home Besides the ship's engines there are thirteen engines for the pumps, and for electric light, etc. The saloons and the cabins are very well furnished. The panels, the parquet flooring, the tables and the other furniture, are made of maple-wood and rose-wood. Various coloured cretonnes cover the walls. Lamps emitting a strong light are fastened to the ceiling, which is decorated in white and gold. The nickel fireplaces have a delightfully comfortable look. The cabins are, however, in fact, warmed by hot air. The Hohenzollern is classed among the despatch boats, and could be used as such in case of war. When the Emperor travels in Germany, or beyond it, he always has a special train. The Emperor's special train is provided with a special arrangement of double breaks. This is necessary to allow of the carriages being used in foreign countries and on gauges where the system of breaks is different from that used in Germany. The train is heated by hot air. The new carriages are connected by a long corridor, in which the travellers can walk during the journey. They are lit by gas. There are always candles in reserve, in case the gas should fail. Each carriage is about forty-eight feet long, and is set in a supple frame- work, so that it may go easily round the curves without danger of running off" the rails. Outside, the carriages I THE EMPEROR. ON BOARD THE " HOHENZOLLERN." Journeys and Excursions 201 are painted light blue and cream. All the corners are gilt. Each carriage costs about fifty to sixty thousand marks (^2,500 to _^3,ooo). The length of the Imperial train is about three hundred feet, without counting the distances between the buffers. Two enormous locomotives draw it. Kach carries four hundred and sixty hundredweight of coal. Each is driven by the usual engine driver, and by a second one who fulfils the office of stoker, and carries also the superintendent of the railway engineers and one of the railway directors. The nine carriages are distributed thus : first, a saloon carriage for the Emperor ; second, a saloon carriage for the Empress ; third, a dining saloon ; fourth, a kitchen ; fifth, a saloon for the suite ; sixth, a carriage for the servants ; seventh and eighth, luggage vans ; ninth, various tools. In this last carriage there are several picked workmen who can effect certain repairs that may become necessary with- out stopping the train. The Emperor's saloon carriage was built in the rail- way workshops at Breslau. By means of a movable partition it can be transformed into a sleeping compart- ment, so that this carriage can be used for long journeys and for night journeys. To the second saloon is attached a dressing-room for the Emperor's use. This compartment is joined on to a passage where there 202 William 11. at Home are two dressing-rooms for the gentlemen of the suite. Beyond this there is a compartment, furnished with a stove and water, for the servants to dress in. The carriage is lit everywhere by gas. It is needless to say that the saloons are most richly decorated ; but besides this they are all arranged in the most convenient manner possible. If one of them is transformed into a sleeping room, the light can be put out by a contrivance placed beside the bed, and there is also a bell by which the servants can be communicated with. A table that can be let down is placed next the partition which separates the two saloons ; it can be used as a writing table. The Empress' saloon carnage used to be the Emperor's carriage when he was still only Prince William. On occasions of short journeys, when it is not necessary to use the special Imperial train, and it is sufficient to attach the Emperor's carriage to an ordinary train, William II. still uses this saloon carriage. The carriage is constructed to supply all the require- ments of the journey, and contains compartments for the suite. The dining-room can be made to communi- cate directly with the kitchen by means of a green passage. The carriage set aside for the suite takes the adjutants, the civil and military functionaries, and those of the Empress' ladies-in-waiting who are not in immediate Journeys and Excursions 203 attendance. This carriage is naturally arranged very comfortably. It contains sleeping compartments and saloons which can be easily transformed into sleeping compartments. Inside the coupes^ tables which can be let down are fixed, at which those members of the suite who have no place set apart for them in the dining- saloon take their meals. The Emperor's journeys as a rule cannot be considered as pleasure trips For the Sovereign they are occasions of extra fatigue. Everywhere that he stops he has to receive deputations, to listen to compliments, and to answer them, to say nothing of the military inspections which he has to make, the visits, the ceremonies, the fetes^ which follow without intermission, and which do not give the Emperor a moment's respite. Besides this, he continues to do the business of the Empire and during a long journey he is obliged to devote part of the night to work. When the Emperor and Empress have travelled in the interior of Germany, the minister of railways has always addressed this circular to all the heads of the railway officials in all parts of the Empire : — " During the time that the special train is running, from the moment it starts to the moment that it stops, if it is in the daytime, everywhere that the train stops, all access to the platform is forbidden to the public. No one is to be admitted on to it but those persons 204 William IL at Home whose presence the Emperor has authorised, or the officials on duty. These officials must station them- selves in such a manner as to leave a free passage, and so that it shall be possible to make sure before the departure of the train that every one is back in the carriages. It is also desired that as far as possible the public may be excluded from the roads leading to the station, and only those persons who have tickets will be admitted into the waiting-rooms. The railway authorities should co-operate with the police in carrying out these instructions." The Emperor's journeys, especially to foreign countries, are very expensive. According to the arrange- ments made between the different European Courts, enormous tips are given to the servants of foreign courts. The payments are made in twenty-mark pieces (about ^i), and the foreign valets receive, if the Emperor stays three or four days, from fifteen to twenty pounds. The officials of a foreign court also receive costly presents, pins set with diamonds, watches, snuff-boxes, set with brilliants or made of gold, etc. Every visit of this kind costs in tips and presents from ^1,500 to _^2,000. It should also be mentioned here that the Emperor does not travel gratis on the railways. For the use of the locomotives and travelling on the lines the Journeys and Excursions 205 Administration of the Imperial household puts into the State Treasury a sum proportionate to the tarifs. The sum is calculated according to the number of axletrees in the train ; so that a journey across Germany costs from a hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds. CHAPTER XII. THE EMPERORS REVENUES. 207 CHAPTER XII. THE EMPEROR'S REVENUES. HERE are some statistics on the subject of the Emperor's revenues. As we have already said, the Emperor has no civil list ; he only receives, to spend, ^30,000 a year. He has to provide for all the expenses of his position from the civil list which is granted him as King of Prussia. To understand the origin of this civil list, we must go back a little. The absolute monarchy which, until the publication of the ordinance, September 5th, 1848, was the form of government of Prussia, made no differ- ence between the expenses of the State and those of the Royal house. To cover these last or to pay all other expenses, the King had at his free disposal revenues drawn from the State lands. What was over after the maintenance of the Royal House had been provided for, was devoted, with the revenue from the taxes, to the general needs of the country. When after the Napoleonic epoch the Prussian State found itself in a most critical financial condition, and 209 14 2IO William II. at Home when the credit of the tax-payers was almost exhausted, King Frederick-William generously renounced his right of disposing of the current revenue of the State domains. By an ordinance dated January 17th, 1820, he freed the property of the State from this charge, and decided that the money should go to paying the debt which had accumulated during successive wars. Thus order might be gradually restored in the finances. The King kept for himself, and for his family, an annual income of 2,500,000 thalers (_^375, 000). Eventually this income became insufficient. The expenses of living — even in princely courts — had become higher, while the whole arrangements of the household had become more luxurious. Moreover, the political power of the country under William I. had undergone a radical change and necessitated a much larger expendi- ture to be adequate to its dignity. This circumstance was taken into account, when from time to time the Royal income was increased, and ended by being raised to 15,719,296 marks, or about ^785,964. It will be seen that this grant, paid by the State, owes its origin to the conditions made by Frederick-William when he gave up his claim to much more considerable sums. The result is that this income has not to be approved of by the two Chambers. It is not always sufficient to cover all expenses, and then the Emperor's THE t.MI'EROK WILLIAM II, The Emperor^s Revenues 213 private fortune is called into requisition to supply deficiencies. In the House of Hohenzollern fortunes are very unequally divided. There still exist certain sources of revenue which, under the title of trust money, is inherited in the family. The one who gets most of it is the King, who has the heaviest obligations to meet. Among these trusts, those are largest which belong to the Royal Crown and House, and they are derived from considerable properties, which bring in large revenues. The first of these trusts dates from the Grand Elector ; the second was established by Frederick-William I. The Emperor has also at his disposal the Crown treasure, a trust ordered to be paid in gold by Frederick-William IIL This monarch managed to save even in the most troublous times, and at his death he left a sum of about ^90,000, of which part was to be set aside for occasions of extreme necessity, while the remainder might be used freely by each successive king. This same king also established trusts of which the present recipients are Prince Albert and Prince Frederick- Leopold. The Emperor William also possesses, not as head of the family, but entirely in his own right, to dispose of as it pleases him, part of the heritage of the Duke of Brunswick. 214 William IL at Home The Emperor tiikes no real rest except in the sprhig and in the autumn, when he goes to hunt in the Royal domains of the March and of East Prussia, or when he accepts invitations from princes or large landowners to come and shoot on their estates. William II. is a iirst-class shot. In spite of having had his arm broken when he was born, and having therefore a right arm that is not of much use to him, he has managed, by force of energy and patience, to aim and to shoot with the same hand with great accuracy. His friends applaud his skill, and he is much flattered when he is told of it. When the Emperor is shooting the man who carries his gun stands beside him and sticks a fork into the ground before him at the critical moment. The Emperor rests his gun on this support and aims as he would with a pistol. Every time he kills a bird or beast in this manner, a notch is made on the branch of the fork, and when it is covered with marks it is replaced by another fork and is placed in the Emperor's museum of sport. Would anybody like to know the record in the Emperor's game-book ? It is instructive. Up to the present he has shot : i sea beast, 2 wild bulls, 3 reindeer, 3 bears, 716 large beasts, such as stags, wolves, etc., 1,524 wild boars and 179 little ones, 121 chamois, 413 roe-deer, 16 foxes, 11,161 hares, 7,387 pheasants, 407 partridges, 29 grouse, 56 ducks, The Emperor's Revenues 215 683 rabbits, 694 herons and cormorants, etc. To sum up, the Emperor has killed, up to the present, including birds of prey, 25,372 head of game. This, at least, is asserted by Rieger, who carries the Emperor's game- bag, in the list which he brought up to May 31st, 1896. These are truly terrible statistics. CHAPTER XIII. FETES AND CEREMONIES AT THE GERMAN COURT. THE NEW YEAR. 217 CHAPTER XIII. F^TES AND CEREMONIES AT THE GERMAN COURT. THE NEW YEAR. THERE is this special significance in the New Year, that it is kept as a festival everywhere in every country in the world. As Forain wrote, once, with infinite humour, " On this day we should weep ; . . .we play instead." They play in truth at Berlin, as at Paris, and as at Vienna, and else- where. " Prosit Neu Jahr^' they say on the banks of the Spree, as they say in France " Bonne annee^'' or in England " A Happy New Year," No one reflects that it is a year more that we are celebrating, a year less of youth, or a year that brings one nearer to the fatal end. The official joy of Berlin is expressed by beating of drums, trumpet calls, and the whistl'ng of fifes. Hardly has the new year struck than a military band, preceded by drums and fifes of several infantry regiments quartered in Berlin, leaves the Palace and marches down the " Unter den Linden " Street. In the Palace itself, at an early hour, towards seven o'clock, the Empress and her children offer 219 110 William II. at Home their good wishes to the Emperor. Then the Court dignitaries present themselves for the same purpose, and then the servants do the same. Just after ten an enormous crowd assembles outside the Palace ; by eleven o'clock one may count from forty to fifty thousand persons. They have all come to look on at the arrival in State carriages of the princes and the foreign ambassadors. The crowd ought to be pleased, for the spectacle is interesting. State carriages with six horses come up at full trot, one after another. An outrider prances before each carriage; the coachmen and footmen wear white wigs, three-cornered black hats, and coats covered with so much silver braid that one can hardly see the stuff". The servants who are perched up behind the carriages are not less brilliantly attired. The carriage itself is all glass in front, so that the public can contemplate at ease the princes in their brilliant uniforms, and the ladies in more or less dazzling toilettes^ seated inside. On the driving seat, which is richly ornamented with gold and silver, sits the coachman, in a fine State livery, with a magnificent white wig. After the princes' State carriages come the State carriages of the ambassadors, and the carriages be- longing to the families of the highest nobility. Between times there drive up simple cabs, in which are colonels and generals. Above, in the White Hall, the crowd of Fetes and Ceremonies* The New Year 221 persons who have come to pay their respects to the Emperor pass in procession during several hours. The Court functionaries pass together first, then the Emperor receives the greetings of the diplomatic body, which are presented to him by the senior ambassador ; and he replies with a speech of welcome and thanks. At about twelve, when this ceremony is over, the Emperor walks to the arsenal, where a large number of the officers of the garrison of Berlin are assembled. Here the Emperor shakes hands with the officers, and makes another speech. In the afternoon a State banquet is held, to which are invited the princes and the ambassadors who have come in the morning to offer their good wishes. One of the courses of the Imperial table is served by peasants from the town of Halle. This is a survival of a tradition which is a hundred years old. For the last hundred years three of them have formed a deputation to come with presents for the Royal House of Prussia. These peasants, in their holiday dresses, various-coloured coats, silk waistcoats with silver buttons, velvet knee- breeches, silk stockings, and gloves sewn with silver, bring their presents, which consist of Halle sausages, different-sized eggs, and salt. These somewhat original presents are destined, not only for the Royal Family, but for all the princes and ministers ; and usually the deputa- tion carries away with it an enormous quantity of 222 William IL at Home sausages. These peasants from Halle remain about a week in Berlin, are the guests of the Royal House, have a free entry to the theatres and to the museums, are fed from the Royal kitchens, and, according to an ancient custom, receive from the Emperor, in return for their gift, a horse, two flags, and a pretty goblet. CHAPTER XIV. THE NATIONAL FETE. 223 CHAPTER XIV. THE NATIONAL FETE, TO speak precisely, the Germans have no National Fete. All the same, one may give this name to the ceremonies which took place in the month of March, 1897, to celebrate the centenary of William I., who was proclaimed Emperor of Germany at Versailles in 1 87 1, by the assembled princes. Our National Fete., which recalls the disaster of Sedan, is nowadays — at least, in the large towns — fallen a little into abeyance. On March 22nd, in the year 1897, in the presence of the Emperor, the Empress, the Sovereigns, or their representatives, of all the German Federal States, the monument raised to the memory of William I. was unveiled amidst the salvos of cannon and an incredible popular enthusiasm. On that day the central roads in Berlin leading to the Royal Palace were closed against traffic by cordons of police and infantry, so that official persons could easily pass backwards and forwards as well as the thousands of those who were privileged to witness the 225 15 226 William 11. at Home ceremony. Thus the " Unter den Linden " street was Hned by troops which had, after the unveiHng, to march past before William II. and his grandfather's monument. We have already described the situation of the Royal Castle in Berlin. This Castle is built on a long, narrow island formed by two branches of the Spree. The west front runs parallel with one of these two arms of the river, and is separated from it by an alley known as the " Schlossfreiheit." Between the Schlossfreiheit and the water there was, at one time, a row of old buildings, the only interest of which lay in their picturesque appearance. Six years ago these buildings were bought and pulled down in order to raise in their place a monument to William I., the cost of which was to be met by a great lottery. This spot was not chosen without many preliminary discussions and arguments. As early as March 1888, a fortnight after William the First's death, the Imperial Diet had unanimously resolved to erect a monument to the founder of the German Empire. A special commission was appointed, and a competition for designs, in which architects and sculptors were to take part, was agreed on. Different designs were exhibited; but though many of the designers had been very highly paid, none of them agreed with the Emperor and his advisers as to the form the monu- The National Fete 227 ment should take. William II. himself expressed the opinion that the site of the Schlossfreiheit was the best that could be chosen, but he was inimical to all the architectural plans which had been submitted to him. Some of these plans were to destroy the Brandenburg Gate and to rebuild the great square, the " Pariser Platz," MONUMENT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE EMPEROR WILLIAM I. which it leads into. The Diet concluded by deciding that the Emperor should settle the question. The Emperor chose as the site the Schlossfreiheit, and apphed to the sculptor, Reinhold Begas, to execute the design. But when it came to the discussion of ways and means, the Diet, in a spirit of opposition, showed 22 William 11. at Home itself inclined towards economy. Instead of voting eight million marks (^400,000) for the monument they would only vote half — namely, four milHon marks. The Government was far from being satisfied with this vote, but Professor Begas consented to undertake the work and accomplish it within the financial limits which had been fixed. The monument to William I. is erected facing the monumental entrance to the west front of the Palace, which is called, after the architect who built it, the " Cosander Gate," and is only separated from that entrance by the alley of the Schlossfreiheit. Here the architect has built a double semi-circular colonnade. The whole edifice is placed on a raised plat- form of freestone, and is strongly supported by a wall of solid masonry on the river side. Each end of the semi-circular colonnade is surmounted by a triumphal car. The cars, and the four steeds who draw them, are of bronze, and in each of them is placed an allegorical figure, holding an unfurled banner and representing, the one North Germany, the other South Germany. The colonnade is decorated with many other groups and symbolical figures, of which some represent the kingdoms which compose the German Empire ; Prussia, Wurtemberg, Saxony, and Bavaria. The other sym- boHcal groups represent Art, Science, Agriculture, and Navigation. The National Fete 229 This colonnade of white freestone was what struck the spectators, assembled in thousands in the stands erected on both sides of the Cosander Gate, along the West facade of the Palace. Against the Cosander Gate itself a wooden erection was placed ; it was something the shape of a throne, with steps up to it, and a magnificent canopy over it. The steps were carpeted with red stuff", and the canopy was decorated with a gilt border. This stand was reserved for the Empress, the Empress Frederick, the Prussian princesses, and the German sovereigns, etc. On the platform of the monument were hundreds of deputies from the Imperial and Prussian diets, numberless groups of black coats in the midst of the brilliant officers' uniforms. In the middle was the equestrian statue of William I., still veiled from the gaze of the multitude. A dozen soldiers stood at the foot of the statue, ready to uncover it at the first signal. During this time, the Emperor, accompanied by his aides-de-camp and by General von Winterfeld, com- manding the Guards, was prancing down the lines of troops in the " Unter den Linden " Street as far as the Brandenburg Gate, while the bands played a military march. He entered his grandfather's Palace to turn out the Guards and the other German regiments which had been the special flivourites of the old Emperor, WiUiam I. Placing himself at the head of a company 2J0 William IL at Home of Grenadiers, the Emperor, who wore the white uniform of the Guards, returned to the Palace and took his place in front of the Royal stand, f^icing the monument. The Grenadiers, with their jerky parade step, marched past him and took their places to the right of the statue, the young Crown Prince and Prince Eitel Fritz walking, according to their rank, as lieutenants of the company. Almost at the same moment the Empress, the Empress Frederick, with all the other personages of the Imperial and Royal houses, went up into their stand. The Emperor then gave the order, " Beat the drums." Then the drums sounded, and the trumpets played William IPs favourite hymn, '• IVir tret en zum "Beten von Gott dem Gerechten " (We pray to God the righteous"). The Lutheran pastor, Dr. Faber, then uttered the prayer of consecration of the monument. The discourse was hardly finished when the Emperor, drawing his sword from its sheath, the troops having presented arms, cried in a loud voice, " Let the statue be unveiled." And the statue appeared before the public gaze while William II. saluted with his sword, and all the soldiers and officers gave the military salute. The statue is in bronze, and represents W^illiam I. as he was at the age of seventy or eighty. He is wearing the Prussian uniform and helmet. The horse The National Fete 231 he is riding is being led by a beneficent spirit in the form of a beautiful girl, carrying in her hand a pahii branch. The pedestal is also of bronze, and rests on a cruci- form block of granite ; on each side ot the block a magnificent lion couches. Before and behind the pedestal rest shields on which are inscribed these words : William the Great, King of Prussia, i 861 -1888. A Token of Gratitude and Affection — T/ie Gcnnafi People. At each corner are allegorical figures of Victory. On the sides are two scenes representing War and Peace. On one side the Fury of War represented by a war- horse galloping into the midst of a tempest of thunder and lightning, treading down in its mad course a field of corn. It is accompanied by two demons — armed with a sword and a whip. Peace is shown under the simihtude of a young girl, her hair floating in the wind, descending from the mountains to the valley. Beside her walk two children, one with a palm branch in its hand, the other with a basket of flowers on its head, the flowers dropping and strewing the way. The height of the monument is sixty-five feet and a half, and the Emperor's statue measures twenty-nine feet. For a short time after the covering had been removed 232 William IL at Home from the statue, the Emperor remained motionless on horseback, still saluting with his sword, while the drums beat, the troops were cheering, and the military bands played " Heil dir im Siegerkrant V (" Hail to thy victor's wreath ! ") At the same moment a salvo of a hundred guns thundered out, and all the bells in the town were set ringing. The German sovereigns, the foreign princes, amongst them the Duke of Connaught, and the regimental deputations, approached the monument and laid magnificent wreaths on it. The Empress and the Dowager Empress Frederick also went up to it and examined it on all sides. The ceremony concluded with the chorus, " Lob dem Herrn ! " (" Praise to the Lord ! "), played by the trumpets. At this moment the Emperor made a half-turn, and all the troops, including the detachments of the marine infantry and the navy, marched away. Every man wore a memorial medal made of the metal of the cannon which were taken from France in that terrible year. In the evening the princes, the foreign ambassadors, the Chancellor of the Empire, and the Prussian minister, assembled at the Palace at a banquet. After the banquet there was a State performance at the Opera, when a piece by a f^ivourite dramatist, Ernst von Wildenbruch, was given. This allegorical piece in four tableaux, entitled WHlehalm, has for principal characters, Willehalm in his youth, in his mature years, and in The National Fete ^33 his old age, the Emperor Lutetia, and German warriors. The divisions of the German people kept up by the Emperor, who is manifestly Napoleon I., are brought to an end by Willehalm (William I.), whose apotheosis is celebrated in Wildenbruch's ornate work. In the Royal box, on the right of the Emperor (in uniform, and always very solemn on these occasions), and of the Empress, sat Princess Frederick-Leopold and the King of Saxony ; at the left of their Majesties were the Regent of Bavaria, Prince Leopold, the King of Wiirtemberg, the Duke of Connaught, the Grand-Duke Wladimir, the Crown Prince of Sweden, and the Crown Prince of Roumania ; and other illustrious guests occupied the second and third rows in the Royal box. As to the town of Berlin, it was completely illumi- nated in sign of its rejoicing ; the memories of a victorious war drew together in a common enthusiasm all parties from the Centre to the Socialists. Of course, at the banquet, WilHam II., who likes to appear, and to talk, made a speech, less warlike than one would have expected under the circumstances. But all the same the Emperor could not refrain from alluding to the misfortunes of Prussian Royalty during the wars of Napoleon. " We think to-day," he exclaimed, " of my grand- father's humility, of his simple habits, and of his love for duty accomplished, and we do not forget that he was 234 William IL at Home the son of that noble and estimable queen ^ Qjieen Louise^ of whom it is said that she learnt more in the school of humiliation than in the school of success T So true is it that William II., the Emperor of a people united by victory, never loses an opportunity of recalling to the mind of that people the defeats once inflicted on them by the great French Emperor. CHAPTER XV. WILLIAM IL BEFORE THE CAMERA. 235 CHAPTER XV. WILLIAM II. BEFORE THE CAMERA. WE are no longer spared the least word, or act, or smallest interesting fact concerning the august personality of kings. We no longer live in times when monarchs and emperors shut themselves up in a sort of ivory tower all access to which is carefully forbidden to the public. To-day kings and emperors have become democra- tised, always with the exception of the King of China. There is no need for Rontgen rays to penetrate into the mysteries of their dwellings. They show themselves in the midst of the crowds, they court popularity, and, failing all other immortality, they are ambitious of being remembered by their most remote posterity. Therefore they are most fliithful friends of photo- graphers. We know them in every pose and in every dress, while we are waiting for their inevitable statues. The love of notoriety is greater in proportion as we get higher up what is called the social ladder. An English photographer, well known on the other side of the Channel, gave the editor of the Windsor Magazine 237 2^8 William IL at Home some curious information concerning the attitude taken by crowned heads before the camera. Mr. Russell knows them all, has come near to them all. He has become, if not their friend, at least a very sympathetic personality for them. He is an amiable man. He knows how to please his august customers by flattering their persons and — their features. Oueen Victoria is a first-rate sitter, Mr. Russell declares. She assumes, without saying a word, the pose which her favourite photographer advises her to take ; she gives all the time necessary to arrive at a good result. Also, as a woman, she has her little coquetries, although she has long passed the days of her youth. She will never be photographed twice in the same head- dress. Sometimes it is a cap, sometimes it is a veil, sometimes a flower, which she puts in her hair, when she is about to appear in front of the photographic apparatus. She is determined, in fact, that her friends shall be able to distinguish one from another of her innumerable photographs. The Queen's daughters have this virtue in common with their mother. They never refuse to be photo- graphed, and are excellent sitters. There is one exception. The Marchioness of Lome has a horror of photography, for herself and for others. All the same she is very Enghsh, and pretty too ! The Prince of Wales loves what she hates. When he William IL before the Camera 239 Duke of Duke of Connaught. Saxe Coburg. German Prince of Emperor. Wales. Queen Victoria. impress Frederick. becomes king he will already possess a good collection of photographs. "When I was at Coburg in 1895," ^^^7^ ^'"* ^"^ussell, 240 William 11. at Home " I met the Prince of Wales in the street. He at once stopped me and said, ' Do not fail to come to Rosenau to-morrow. All our party will be there, and you will be able to take some interesting groups.' Then, turning to his aide-de-camp, the Prince told him to get me the necessary permission." But when the illustrious photographer presented himself at the Palace, he was at first refused admittance. What was to become of the laws of etiquette ^ The Marshal of the Court of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose business it was to see that these were respected, would not at any price allow Mr. Russell to make one of the princely assemblage. But at last the Prince of Wales appeared, and upon his representations the photographer was accorded the favour of admittance. He had no cause to complain of having made despairing efforts, seconded by the heir to the British throne, to get into the garden in the midst of kings and princes. Once there, he was received with enthusiasm — surprising enthusiasm. Entirely at his ease, he photographed the august company in various groups, and then each in- dividual separately. '■• I was about to retire," he adds, "when the Prince of Wales again came up to me and asked if there was no one else I would like to photograph. I therefore did not conceal my intense desire to add to my collection a portrait of the Emperor William II. The Emperor THE I'RUSSIAN IJU'EKIAL FAMILY. 16 i William II. before the Camera 243 of Germany was at once called for. ' Where is the Emperor of Germany ? ' cried the Prince of Wales. And at his uncle's call the Emperor approached ; but when he heard what he was wanted for, he said to me, ' You have already taken so many photographs to-day, you cannot want me to sit to you now.' '' ' I beg your Majesty's pardon,' I replied, ' but I have never had the honour of photographing your Majesty in the uniform you are now wearing.' " This reply convinced the Emperor of Germany, who smiled with an air of satisfaction, and placed himself before the camera. The photograph must have parti- cularly pleased the Emperor and those about him, for Mr. Russell, being in Berlin some months afterwards, received a telegram desiring him to come to the Palace at Potsdam the following morning at eight o'clock. At eight o'clock the next morning William II. was impatiently expecting him. The photographer did not arrive. He did not come till nine o'clock, having gone to the wrong station, and consequently missed the train. The Emperor had, therefore, been unable to attend a parade of the Guards, which had been fixed for a quarter to nine. But he allowed no sign of his annoyance to appear. In fact, his anger vanished as soon as the photographer was in his presence. Paying no attention to his excuses, he at once placed himself in position before the camera. ^ 244 William 11. at Home Mr. Russell was struck with the rapidity with which the Emperor changed his uniform. " In a few minutes," he says, " 1 photographed him attired successively as a German general, then on horseback, then in the uniform of a colonel of Hussars. When Wilham II. is being photographed, he always takes care to assume heroic attitudes, in contradistinction to my other sitters, who always adopt attitudes and expressions which are most natural and famiUar to them." Are not these remarks a useful indication for any future historian who wishes to make a psychological study of this Emperor — always in motion, whose energies are not only consuming in State affairs, but even — before the apparatus of Mr. Russell, that Court photographer, journalist without knowing it.^ CHAPTER XVI. COURT DRESS. 245 CHAPTER XVI. C0UR7 DRESS. THE black coat which has been adopted throughout Europe as evening dress looks very poor beside the brilliant military uniforms that are worn at State evening entertainments. The Emperor William, who does not like the black coat, and who loves the dolman or the tunic with the tight-fitting trousers that the officers wear, has issued orders on the subject of the dress to be worn at Court fetes. Here they are. " It is my desire that during my lifetime at my Court, in all matters of dress, the fine old customs and manners of ancient times shall be revived. To this end, I ordain as follows, first, for civil functionaries : — " All classes of civil functionaries are authorised to wear an embroidered uniform. At the great State entertainment, given at the Royal Palace in Berlin, or in the Royal residences, at the Castle in the town of Potsdam, at the New Palace, they must from this time forward wear knee breeches of white silk, white 247 248 William IL at Home silk stockings, shoes with white buckles, and swords. In other places than these Palaces, in other castles, or out of doors, unless otherwise ordered on some special occasion, they will wear trousers to match their uniform, with gold and silver stripes. " All civil functionaries are ordered, during the period of a Court mourning, and for State entertain- ments, to wear black knee-breeches, black silk stockings, shoes with black-and-white buckles, black being more or less predominant according to the mourning, and swords in their scabbards. For semi-State occasions, trousers to match the uniforms, with black and white stripes. " Those civil functionaries who have the right to the blue coat are authorised to wear, in undress, in thosQ. fetes which take place in the Royal residences and castles, knee breeches, black silk stockings, shoes with black buckles, or else tight trousers. On all other occasions, when no special orders have been issued, the dress is to be black trousers and undress coat. " Those gentlemen who attend Court who have no uniform. Those who are presented at Court, having no uniform, are authorised to wear, on occasion of a fete at the Royal Castle in Berlin or in any of the Royal residences, in the municipal castle, or at the New Palace in Potsdam, instead of the black coat, a Court coat, black and tight-fitting, with black revers Court Dress 249 and collar, without pockets, knee breeches, black silk stockings, and shoes with white buckles, a three-cornered hat, without feathers, and sword. They are also authorised to wear plain black Court dress, with tight-fitting black trousers instead of knee breeches. " For undress, gentlemen must wear, in all the princely and Royal residences, black coat and trousers. The Minister of State and the Minister of the Royal Household must convey to those whom it concerns my sovereign orders. " (Signed) William Rex." CHAPTER XVII. THE CHAPTER OF THE BLACK EAGLE. 251 CHAPTER XVII. THE CHAPTER OF THE BLACK EAGLE. IN I 70 1, immediately after his coronation, Frederick I. founded the Order of the Black Eagle. This is the highest that there is in Prussia. It includes only one class, and confers hereditary nobility with the rank of knight and of lieutenant-general. Modern orders of knighthood spring more or less from the ancient orders of chivalry, but the memory of ancient orders and knightly assemblies is becoming more and more extinguished in Prussia. It is only in the Order of the Black Eagle that the idea which originally attached to that order of chivalry is preserved intact. Every year, on January 17th, the Chapter of the Black Eagle is solemnly assembled, and those knights who have been knighted during the preceding year are officially received. This ceremony takes place with great magnificence and parade, as the following pro- clamation, dated 1891, sufficiently testifies. " By order of His Majesty, all the great functionaries of the Court, the generals of infantry, of cavalry and 253 254 William IL at Home of artillery, the Minister of State, the Minister of the Royal Household, the lieutenant-generals, the vice- admirals, the privy councillors, and the ordinary councillors, the adjutant-generals, the generals of the suite, the Sovereign's aides-de-camp, the Emperor's private privy councillor, as well as the suites of the princes, are invited to the reception." The Knights of the Order of the Black Eagle must be in full dress, the military ones with white trousers and stripe, the civil ones with white knee breeches, white stockings, and white shoes. The military and civil knights will wear the mantle of the Order over their full dress, and over the mantle the collar of the Order. The new knights who are to be received will wear the ribbon of the Order. The knights and members of the Orders may only wear the insignia of Prussian Orders, to the exclusion of the insignias of foreign Orders. All persons present at the reception will wear full dress with the ribbon of the Order, civilians light trousers, and the military persons grey trousers with stripes. For the guests of highest rank the hour of invitation is twelve o'clock at noon ; for other persons, and for those who are to be presented at the reception, the hour is a quarter to twelve. As soon as the above-mentioned personages, and the princes, are assembled, the Master of the Ceremonies The Chapter of the Black Eagle 255 of the Order of the Black Ragle, Ccniiit Eulenhurg, informs the Emperor, who puts on the mantle of the Order in one of the apartments of Frederick I. Pre- ceded by the princes, the Sovereign then proceeds lUL llALl, ol" 1111. KMt,Ul; into the wainscoted room next to the Royal apart- ment. Here are all the knights, ranged in pairs according to their rank, the younger ones foremost ; and they are presented to His Majesty. The pro- 256 William IL at Home cession is then formed as follows : Two heralds of the Order ; two Court pages carrying the insignia which the new knights are to receive ; the pages of the Royal princes ; the Treasurer of the Order ; the Secretary of the Order ; the Acting Privy Councillor and Director of the Administration of the Royal Household ; Herr von Botticher carrying the statutes of the Order ; the Grand Master of the Ceremonies and Grand Marshal of the Palace, Count Eulenburg ; then all the members of the Chapter, according to their rank in the Order, walking two by two, the youngest first ; the Vice- President of the Minister of State, Dr. von Botticher ; the Grand Royal Huntsman, Prince von Plest ; the Ambassador Count Miinster ; the Minister of State, Von Suttkammer ; the Minister of State and Minister of Public Works, Von Maibach ; the Minister of State, Dr. von Friedberg ; the Grand Chamberlain, Prince von Stollberg-Wernigerode ; the Cavalry General, Count William von Brandenburg, etc. The procession winds its way towards the Hall of the Knights. During the ceremony an orchestra plays the ancient music which used formerly to be played before the Chapter of the Order, and which has been revived by William II. In the Hall of the Knights, on a platform covered with red velvet, stand eight trumpeters of the Horse Guards. They are dressed, as in the time of Frederick I., The Chapter of the Black Eagle 257 in light blue uniform with gold-embroidered lappets, on their heads three-cornered hats with feathers, the beard and hair curled to match. They execute flourishes on long trumpets decorated with streamers, on which are embroidered in silver the arms of the Order of the Black Eagle. On another platform, which is called " The Silver Choir," eight more trumpeters, wearing the same uniform, are installed. Behind them are two trumpeters of the Body Guard, and two of the Hussars. The trumpeters on the red platform execute a fanfare upon the entrance of the procession, and during the different stages of investing the knights. These fanfares are caught up and echoed by the trumpeters of the " Silver Choir." They are very ancient, and produce a striking effect. They begin to resound as soon as the Emperor, wearing the red velvet mantle which the knights wear as fete dress, mounts the steps of the throne, and stands there with uncovered head. The knights who are to be invested are brought up in succession to the throne ; after them come the princes, then the novices. Beside each new knight walk two old knights, to act as his sponsors. The newly made knight is clothed in the red velvet mantle. The Emperor himself puts the collar of the Order round his neck, then consecrates him and embraces him, while the other knights of the Order salute their newly elected brother, and then shake hands with him. 17 258 William 11. at Home During the whole of the ceremony the trumpets are playing old marches and executing flourishes. After the investiture the Emperor, with all his knights, goes to the Chapter Hall and presides over the meeting, with all doors closed. At each door two heralds mount guard. After the meeting comes a banquet, at which only the Knights of the Order are present. CHAPTER XVIII. the fete " of the coronation and of the order: 259 CHAPTER XVIII. the fete " of 2 he coronation and of the order:' THE Sunday following January 17th, the Prussian festival called " Of the Coronation and of the Order" is celebrated in the Imperial Palace. This is a popular /(?7^, at which persons of all classes of society are present. All those who already wear orders are invited. They arrive in carriages, in state equipages, in cabs ; many come on foot. The guests assemble in the ante-rooms of the Palace. Here the President of the General Commission of the Order, with his assistants, reads out the hsts of the newly decorated, and distributes the insignia of the various orders. The ladies, on their part, assemble in a particular room and receive from the Empress' first lady-in-waiting, the order of " Louise." The guests then leave the ante-room and proceed to the chapel, where they take .the seats which have been reserved for them. The Emperor enters, preceded by the Grand Master of the Ceremonies, pages and great 261 262 William IL at Home Court officials. The Empress accompanies him, leading the Empress Frederick. After a solemn service, the procession re-forms and returns through the White Hall to the ante-rooms. The number of guests is so large that the procession sometimes lasts half an hour. Those newly decorated are then called alphabetically by name, and pass before the throne, on which are seated the Emperor and Empress, bowing as they pass. A big dinner follows this ceremony. The Emperor enters the White Hall, surrounded by officials, generals, and ministers. In the picture-gallery long tables are set, at which some eight or nine hundred guests sit down. They are so placed that there is no difference of rank observed between them. There, the staff officer and the Government privy councillor are seated next to the policeman and the nightwatchman ; the general, who has not been able to find a place at the Imperial table, sits beside the simple artisan. Not one of the guests seems to feel awkward in the near vicinity of some one very much above him or below him in the social scale. The dinner passes off with remarkable geniahty. At dessert the toasts begin. As always on these occasions they are many, and the speeches long. The Emperor proposes the health of the newly decorated, and makes use of the occasion to astonish the world by his elo- quence, his talk, sometimes warlike, sometimes mystical. Fete ^^Of the Coronation and of the Order'' 263 by his audacious prophecies, or by his handhng of commonplace topics. WilHam II. desires to be an orator as he desires to be a profound politician, a consummate musician, an artist whose fame will go down to posterity, and what else I know not ! He has catholic tastes. After dinner the guests receive cornucopias, which they may fill with fruits or sugarplums to take home to their relations or children. The entertainment is concluded with conversation. Every one wants to speak with the Emperor, and he easily finds a pleasant word to say to each of his guests. Then they depart, bowing before the Sovereign, who is happy at being flattered, and is ambitious of popularity. CHAPTER XIX. BALLS. 265 CHAPTER XIX. BALLS. EVERY year a grand subscription ball is given at the Grand Opera, to which all classes of society may come. This ball is always honoured by the presence of the Emperor and the Empress, most of the princes and princesses, and all the Court dignitaries. Everybody may go who can pay twenty marks (^Ti) for a card of admittance. But the Marshal makes preliminary inquiries concerning all those who apply for tickets, and refuses them to such as have been guilty of any breach of honour, or to those who, by reason of their opinions, could not be consistently admitted to the presence of the Sovereigns. Not only are tickets of admission sold, but the boxes and the amphitheatre are let and the Opera-house, filled from top to bottom with ladies in ball dress, and gentlemen in uniform, in Court dress, or in plain clothes, with their decorations, presents a very fine and attractive appearance. The orchestra, as on ball nights, at the Paris Opera, is raised so as to be level with the stage, which is decorated with palm 267 268 William IL at Home and other plants of various kinds. From the Royal box, which flices the stage, steps covered with red velvet lead down to the floor, and to the foyers, where the refreshments are magnificently served. Thousands of spectators await the arrival of the Emperor, the Empress, and their suite. To the sound of music the Court makes the tour of the hall, the Emperor bowing to right and left, and then they go up into their box. Then the dancers try to clear themselves a space for dancing, but without much success. The crowds fills up the floor and the stage, and it is difficult even to move forward. Everybody's idea is to approach as near as possible to the Royal box, to look at the beautiful uniforms, the Court dresses, the princess' jewels, etc. The Imperial family leave the ball-room a little after midnight, and then the dancing really begins, and some- times does not finish till nearly seven o'clock in the morning. This subscription ball does not only attract people in Berlin, but people come from miles round to see it ; and the trade of Berlin, one may be sure, does not suffer from this fashionable event. During the winter, even at Court, there are some balls to which persons in the best Berlin society are invited, also people from the town and the provinces. The Castle is brilliantly lighted from seven o'clock, and up to eight there is a constant stream of arrivals. The Balls 269 Marshals of the Court and of the Royal household group the guests in the White Hall. Uniform natur- ally predominates ; young officers make the majority of the dancers. Every officer in the garrison of Berlin, or who is passing through the town, has the right to come and ask for a card of invitation at the office of the Grand Marshal. Besides the officers of the army, there are many great functionaries — professors of the University in their violet or red robes, or masters of the great schools of the Academy of Arts, the mayors of the large towns, and the representatives of the urban corporations. The aristocracy of the whole country is represented. All that art, science, or literature, has of the highest is. there in simple black coats or Court dress. The White Hall is resplendent, thanks to the wonderful effects of electric light and sparkling jewels. Towards half-past eight o'clock the Masters of the Ceremonies knock on the floor with gilt crosses to announce the arrival of the procession of which the Emperor and the Empress form part. This procession is composed of the Grand Marshal, accompanied by the Masters of the Ceremonies and the Chamberlains, followed by the Marshal of the Court, the Grand Cupbearer, and the Gentleman Carver. In the ante- room called the Queen's room, the ambassadors and the ministers plenipotentiary are assembled. The Emperor and the Empress salute them, and they also 270 William IL at Home join the procession. They advance before the Imperial pair, followed by all the members of the Imperial family. The procession begins by making the tour of the White Hall, and the Emperor and Empress greet those of their guests who are known to them. Then they seat themselves on the dais erected for them, and the Emperor gives the signal for the dancing to begin. The officials who live at Court regulate the dancing. They take care that in the midst of the crowd there shall be a space sufficient for a certain number of couples to dance comfortably. They also see to it that no one couple dances longer than is fair, so that every one may have his turn. This is the discipline of pleasure. The Emperor never dances, and the Empress very rarely. If one of the princesses wishes to dance, she chooses, through the Marshal of the Court, a great functionary or an officer, to valse with her. No gentleman may ask one of the princesses to dance with him, without having been invited to do so. The Emperor and Empress do not remain seated on the dais all the time of the ball. They continually walk about to speak to their guests. At eleven o'clock the Court, with the diplomatic corps, and the great functionaries, goes into the halls called respectively " The Queen's Room " and " The Swiss Hall" for supper. For the rest of the guests — five Balls 271 or six thousand persons — an enormous table is set in the picture-gallery, where cold dishes and the most excellent wines in the Royal cellars, not excepting good French champagne, are served. At about a quarter to twelve the Imperial couple reappear in the White Hall and remain there till one o'clock. Up to that hour the cotillon is danced. After a last valse the Emperor and Empress retire to their apartments and their guests shortly afterwards leave the Castle. Besides these Court balls they also have at Court, during the winter, concerts and gatherings which they call " Couren." " Couren " is a difficult word to translate. It means a little party where conversation is one of the items of the entertainment, and which only lasts two or three hours. Only the friends of Their Majesties, and persons who have been presented to them, are invited. They are most select ; and if there are many who seek an invitation to them, there are not many who receive one. CHAPTER XX. FOREIGN PRINCES AT COURT. 273 CHAPTER XX. FOREIGN PRINCES AT COURT. THE visits of foreign Royalty entails on the Emperor, his suite and his servants, an enormous amount of extra work. With the exception of Russian princes who are generally lodged at the Russian Embassy, all foreign Royal guests are installed at the Castle. Generals or great functionaries escort them from the frontier, and they are received at the Berlin station by the Emperor in person. A guard of honour, carrying a banner, and a band, salutes the arrival of the train, and when the Royal guest meets the Emperor the band plays a military march. The Emperor takes his guest in his carriage, to the Castle, and a series of visits begins. Although the Empress has already welcomed the Royal visitor at the foot of the staircase, he must, all the same, pay her a visit of ceremony in her apartments, and must then visit the Emperor. These visits are at once returned by the Emperor and Empress. Then the king or prince, whichever it is, visits all the princes and princesses residing in Berlin. He also calls on the 275 276 William 11. at Home Chancellor, while the Emperor on his part visits all the principal personages of his guest's suite. These latter persons are not as a rule lodged at the Royal Castle, but in the principal hotels in the town, where they live at the Emperor's expense. The Emperor is obliged to spend three or four hours a day merely in visits of ceremony. Of course, in honour of the guests all sorts of enter- tainments, military and other, are given, as when the Emperor of Russia, during his journey in Europe, visited the German Court. Only then the visit did not take place in the capital of the Empire, in order not to give it the appearance of a political visit, which it was not. Usually the fetes consist of performances at the Opera, in excursions to the environs of the town, especially to Potsdam, in hunting parties, in dinners, suppers, and State banquets. At these times, when the Emperor has to devote himself to guests as well as to affairs of State, he contents himself with three or four hours' sleep. The military review is a very popular show in Germany. The autumn one, which usually takes place on the field of Templehof, in particular attracts a great many spectators. The Emperor and Empress, on horseback, surrounded by the military attaches of all - nations and followed by carriages in which are seated the princes and princesses, and the representatives of Foreign Princes at Court 277 the Diplomatic Corps, pass in front of the troops, which in their turn then march past before them. On the return to Berlin the Emperor puts himself at the head of the company which carries the colours ot the regiments of the Guards. The crowd is drawn up in order as the Emperor rides by and applauds loudly the Emperor and the troops ; German chauvinism has on these occasions full play. In the evening the parade dinner is given at the Royal Castle. All the officers of the garrison are invited by the Emperor, as well as the Diplomatic Corps and the military attaches. The dinner is followed by a great State performance at the Opera, where a grand allegorical ballet is danced. Amongst solemn Court ceremonies should be reckoned the opening of the Reichstag by the Emperor. It is the same ceremony as that of the opening of the two Chambers of the Prussian Landtag. First of all a special service for both the Catholic and Protestant members of parliament is celebrated in the churches. Then the members of parliament assemble in the White Hall and await the arrival of the Court procession, which, under the guidance of the great Court function- aries, pages. Masters of the Ceremonies, and the Marshals, files past the representatives of the nation. Generally the Empress takes part in the procession, with the princes, and, on important occasions, the Kings of Saxony, of Bavaria, of Wiirtemberg, etc., are 278 William 11. at Home also present. The Emperor takes his place alone upon the throne. On the right and left are placed the German princes ; below them are seated the princes of the Royal House. The Imperial Secretary of State or the Imperial Chancellor hands the Emperor the manuscript of the opening speech. The Emperor then puts on his helmet and reads his speech to the assembled members of parliament. He concludes by saluting the representatives of the nation, and immediately after- wards the procession leaves the White Hall. The deputies then go to the Reichstag or to the Chamber of the Landtag, to be present at the opening meeting. CHAPTER XXI. THE DUEL IN GERMANY. 279 CHAPTER XXI. THE DUEL IN GERMANY. IN 1877, with the object of perfecting myself in the German language, I spent a year at Heidelberg in one of the pleasantest of the German Universities for a stranger, especially a Frenchman. There, on the banks of the smiling Necker, one looked in vain for the sight of a Prussian helmet. There is not a single barrack, not a single battalion or squadron, in the town. One might take it for a neutral city, a small Swiss capital, where one lives in peace, far from military agitations, from the parades and reviews, which one meets with at every step in the country of Goethe, Lessing and Schiller, which has become before all things the country of soldiers like Moltke and the Frederick-Charleses. Heidelberg is a corner of old, parcelled-out Germany, powerful by reason of its thinkers, its philosophers, a country of dreams and meditations, where the student is king amongst a cosmopolitan population, where the English figure largely, and where the French are not 281 282 William IL at Home only respected, but loved and sought after. There were at that time several of us Frenchmen going through the University course, particularly the " Vorlesungen " (lectures) of the celebrated Professor Kuno Fischer, who addressed us in the most eloquent terms, and in admirably chosen language, on the subject of the Works of Goethe. There was my friend Lindenlaub, who has since made his way in journalism and has become one of the principal editors of the 'Temps ; and Grosselin, son of a former head of the stenographical department in the Chamber of Deputies, who was gifted with a kindness and wit difficult to equal. This good fellow died before he could show the world all that was in him. He died after a long and cruel illness, but I could not refrain from invoking his memory in thinking of the months which we spent together in Germany. With him and Lindenlaub we founded a very lively little society, the Franco-Latin society. Only those who were of our race could belong to it. Portuguese, Spaniards, and Italians joined us, and we met two or three times a week in a quiet room in a German brewery, where we talked of the interests of our respective countries, and our common hopes. Lindenlaub and I succeeded in allowing Russians to be admitted into the Franco-Latin society ; and this Slav element, already friendly to France, did not tend to cool our Prussiaphobia — quite the contrary. The Duel in Germany 283 They were the first to express their abhorrence of the Prussian supremacy, which had not yet found its counteracting weight in the Franco-Russian alliance. One day, as we were singing, just before separating, the French national anthem, a policeman entered the room and told us he had orders to make us disperse. Had we done anything wrong ^ we asked. Not at all, but our sentiments with regard to Germany, which were well known, had given displeasure, and we were to have the honour of being under surveillance. A short time afterwards we met again, but this time in another brewery, where we thought we should be left in peace. But we had hardly begun our discus- sions when two German students, heated by numerous libations, burst into the room, and, to our great be- wilderment, leaped on to the table round which we were seated, and put out the gas. We reht the gas, and these students, who belonged to the corps of " Borusses," one of the most aristocratic, but also the most insolent of corps, were thrown out through the door, notwithstanding their cries and their protests, and the vigorous manner with which they used their fists upon us. We had not done with them. A few minutes after- wards a couple of their friends arrived to demand satis- faction on behalf of their comrades. Grosselin, with much humour and sang-froid^ ex- 284 William II. at Home plained the facts, and easily showed that their comrades, and not ourselves, had been the aggressors ; that there- fore we refused all satisfaction, but that for his own part he was wilHng to explain matters personally to the gentlemen in question. He went so far as to fix a place of meeting for the next morning in the Philosopher's Walk, a solitary place where there would be full opportunity to settle the question, if need were, with the proper arms of young men of eighteen years old — namely, the fists. The seconds of the Borusses had demanded the use of the Schlaeger, the famous German rapier, of which we shall presently say a few words ; but Grosselin's offer struck them as amusing, and they accepted it. It was understood that I should join Grosselin in this fight with the Borusses. These gentlemen were strongly built and were evidently endowed by Nature with her- culean strength. The struggle — if there was to be a struggle — seemed as if it would be very unequal ; but when one is not yet twenty years old, one has no doubts. At the appointed hour the next morning, we were quietly walking in the Philosopher's Walk, awaiting our adversaries. Our adversaries did not appear, but their two seconds soon arrived, bringing letters from the principals, in which they expressed regrets for what had passed, and desiring to shake us by the hand. This very frank retreat did not strike us as cowardly, for The Duel in Germany 285 we felt pretty well convinced that we should not have come conquerors out of this singular combat. Half an hour afterwards, with much clinking of beer-glasses, the reconciliation was completed. A few days afterwards, in company with these same Borusses, and thanks to them, we witnessed a students' duel. In a large hall, with completely bare walls, situated beneath a cafe at the foot of the road leading to the famous Castle of Heidelberg, the different corps of students meet two or three times a week to witness duels which have been arranged by their respective corporations. For it is a curious thing that the students' duel is far from always being the result of quarrels or injuries. Often it is the presidents of two difi^erent corps who decide that such and such a student shall encounter such and such another with the Schlaeger, the German rapier. As in France, the arms are first cleansed with carbolic. The adversaries are then placed face to face in a special dress. They are not in armour, as in olden days, but they are covered with thick leather from the throat to the knee, so as to avoid mortal wounds; their eyes are protected by leather spectacles, and each combatant wears a helmet. Thus they are protected from serious injuries. The cheeks, forehead, and lips, are left to receive the blows. The adversaries are separated by a short distance. They cross swords, and the super- intendent says, " Are you ready } Begin." Then 286 William IL at Home terrible blows are exchanged. The duel must last a quarter of an hour, without counting the rests — this is the rule. The duel is not definitely stopped until one of the combatants is disabled. On this occasion, before five minutes were over one of the two students had received a horrible wound in the upper lip — the flesh was literally quivering ; and three front teeth had to be taken out. The doctor at once came to the assistance of the wounded student, and after having placed him on a bench, proceeded to sew up his lip, an operation which, it is hardly necessary to remark, was very painful. The unfortunate fellow could not restrain a murmur. His comrades reproached him for this exhibition of weakness, and he was given to understand that at the next murmur he would be expelled from the corps to which he had the honour to belong. He did not flinch again, in spite of his sufi^erings. He submitted stoically to the barbarous treatment he was subjected to. This hideous spectacle had sufficed myself and Grosselin. We retired, not moved, but indignant at these ferocious customs, which are nevertheless admired by young girls in the best society, who imagine that in these students they see heroes, and willingly cry " Honour to these scars ! " A gash is worth more than a decoration on the other side of the Rhine ; the immense amount of beer they drink makes the scar which succeeds the wound in- The Duel in Germany 287 delible. Old Bismarck is scarred ; his cheeks bear the marks of the old wounds caused by his juvenile vanity. Professor Kuno Fischer, who was also one of a student corps, had the misfortune to have a piece of his nose sliced off by a Schlaeger, at the age of eighteen, and an excrescence of flesh like a button was stuck on to the nose. He was accustomed, at the commencement of his course of lectures, to utter a protest against these foolish students' duels, of which he had been the victim, but his exhortations met with little success. Germany, as a whole, considers these exercises excellent training for youth. It takes no account of the brutality of the custom. As to the German Emperor, he is far from regarding these students' duels with horror. When he was only Prince William and was studying at the University of Bonn, in company with his friend Jacobi, and having Herr von Liebenau as military tutor, he delighted to visit the different student corps, by whom he ^2^.% feted and made much of. He was enthusiastic over their duels. M. Amedee Pigeon, who knew Prince William at the University, and witnessed with him one of these duels, writes : " He followed each turn of the duel, and awaited the issue with lively interest. How often he hurried over his breakfast in order not to be late at the place of meeting ! and he would stand for an hour around 288 William IL at Home the combatants, who were binding up their arms and covering their chests before advancing on each other. How often I have seen him pale, nervous, attentive, watching the play of the duellists, noticing the least shade of emotion they showed or the least swagger of attitude, praising the good form of this one, commenting on the laziness or want of skill of another, and offering sincere compliments to the cleverest. He was happy in witnessing these spectacles where blood flows, where often a bit of a nose or a cheek is taken off by the sword and thrown on the ground, and his pleasure was redoubled in eluding the police who are supposed to discountenance these duels, and to stop them whenever they know where they are taking place, but who, in fact, tolerate and wink at them. I am sure he was sorry he could not himself meet an adversary in combat, and more than once I have seen him practise the management of the heavy rapier." The love of duelling, of fighting for the sake of fighting, and where honour has no part in the matter, is born in Germany in the Universities, and one can see that Prince William, now WiUiam IL, delighted in these spectacles where " the blood flows," but where it is very rare that complications arise after the wounds to cause death. The Emperor to this day retains the opinions of his youth with regard to duelling, even with regard to serious duels between officers, or between civilians ; 1 The Duel in Germany 291 even duels between officers and civilians have his sympathy. Perhaps the page of history which appeared in the form of a caricature by Caran d'Arche in the Figaro has not been forgotten — that which alluded to the stupendous revelations made on the other side of the Rhine in the Reichstag, on the subject of the continual provocations offered by the German soldiers to the civil population. The German army, in fact, constitutes more and more a privileged caste, with somewhat insolent and swagger- ing manners. Of course this sort of thing brings about abuses and also the discomfiture of the simple citizen, who, though he also has been a student of war in the University, when he becomes a civilian asks only to be left in peace to attend to his business and to live quietly with his family. All Germany passes through the barracks, but when retired into private life they are obliged sometimes to break the laws of their country, to avoid being driven out of the army. Such is the case of those — and they are many — who are officers in the Reserves. They have become lawyers, doctors, mer- chants, magistrates, but if they happen to get into a discussion with a military man, they find themselves obliged to go out into the field, sword or pistol in hand. The law punishes duellists with fine and imprisonment, but the German army knows nothing about the common law ; it has a special law for itself, which it desires to 292 William IL at Home impose on every one. Moreover, it is a very simple one. An offence necessitates a duel, and these en- counters are becoming more and more frequent in the army, and also between soldiers and civilians. It is the delight of the former to measure swords with the " counter-jumpers." Of course there have many times been fatal results. The Liberal press, particularly the Frankfort Gazette, has directed vigorous attacks against the institution of the duel. The Conversative papers, on the contrary, and several military journals, have pleaded with considerable cleverness for the main- tenance of things as they are. But all the same, public opinion in part has agitated and protested against the frequency of these duels, demanding of the Govern- ment measures for suppressing duelling, or at least only permitting it under certain circumstances. The Government was at last impressed, and even William II. himself thought that it was necessary to give at least some apparent heed to the demands of the bourgeoisie. He had an edict pubHshed and signed a few months ago about duelling. After this edict, if duels are not absolutely forbidden, as in England, there is a chance at least that for the future they will be moderated a little. The edict only touches upon duelHng in the army, but the-middle class civilians must also feel the effects of it. Even before this publication councils of honour had The Duel in Germany 293 been instituted. These are intermediary tribunals, before which the parties concerned could bring their differences. But these tribunals exercised a very mild jurisdiction, for it was open to every one not to follow their counsels, and in nine case out of ten this is what happened. But the authority of the councils of honour has now been reinforced ; the parties who come before them must submit to their decision. It is true that there is a possible appeal to the Emperor, and that the verdicts may not be confirmed by him if he examines them himself. The German Liberal criticises this provision. The Emperor's private sentiments on the subject of duelling are known. At the Castle of Berlin, in the Palace of Potsdam, William II. thinks on these points as he thought when, at the University of Bonn, he was called simply Prince William. In spite of the edict signed by him, no one is ignorant of the fact that the Emperor hkes the clash of arms, the students' fights with Schlaeger or with sword, and that he is no enemy to those duels with pistols of which the results are nearly always tragic. The duel will not disappear from Germany till the ideas which we have been analysing have ceased to be ; and they are not near yet to dying out. The in- dignant protests of the Liberal German journals will not effect anything. CHAPTER XXII. THE GERMAN EMPEROR IN PARIS. 295 CHAPTER XXII. THE GERMAN EMPEROR IN PARIS. WILLIAM II., since he became Emperor, has visited London, Rome, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, and Christiania, and has everywhere been received as a Sovereign. His undisguised advances to France — although it is true these have been made only in words— the official participation of Germany in the Universal Exhibition, have suggested the possi- bility of a visit of the German Emperor to Paris in 1900. All the world, in France as elsewhere, admired the noble feeling which induced William II. to send those famous despatches on the deaths of Marshal Canrobert, of Marshal MacMahon, and of President Carnot. On the last occasion the Emperor did better still ; he set at Hberty two French naval officers, who had been imprisoned in Germany under pretext of their being spies. This act — one of generosity as well as of justice — awoke the gratitude of the French, but it could not efface the wound received in 1870. It is only a few months ago that William II. took 297 I 298 William IL at Home another very clever and very significant step. The catastrophe of the Charity Bazaar had plunged many families into deep mourning. A subscription list opened by the Figaro on behalf of the relations of the poor victims and the rescuers, had produced a sum of more than a million francs. The Emperor of Germany at once associated himself with this outburst of charity, and sent a personal subscription of ten thousand francs. Some of the newspapers were of opinion that this subscription should have been refused. The others saw, with reason, in this charitable gift, the pursuance of a fixed idea, which has for some time past haunted the German Emperor's mind — the idea of a reconciliation between the victors and the vanquished. But every one says, " Fine words are not sufficient. There are two provinces, French to the bottom of their hearts, whose restoration to the mother country can alone put an end to the national hatred, and create a fraternity of souls between two ancient enemies." Thus also the Figaro, in its leader of May joth, 1897, wrote : — " It is puerile voluntarily to blind oneself to the worth of one's enemies, and this seems to us a propitious moment in which to emphasise certain new charac- teristics which the Emperor of Germany is displaying. We may still, as we did at the beginning of his reign. The German Emperor in Paris 299 criticise his love of putting himself forward, and for seeking and finding, in every event that occurs in his lifetime, some opportunity of distinguishing himself. But what we cannot deny, unless we belong to the number of those doubtful patriots who consider national amour propre to consist in ignoring the evidence of and in forgetting truth, is that the Emperor of Germany is a man who thinks, who is endowed with an almost immaculate feeling for international etiquette, and who has created for himself a conception, at once original and very strict, of his duties as the head of the State, " It seems to us that he is no more free from generous illusions than from unreflecting and almost culpable impulses ; witness his conduct with regard to the Sociahsts, whom he at first cajoled until it seemed reasonable to hope that he would disarm them, and whom he later pursued with a severity which looked almost like hatred. Such as he is, he contrasts in a most piquant manner with the commonplace passivity of most of the Sovereigns of Europe, who, ruled by their surroundings or hypnotised by their parliaments, pretend to no other care than to be let to live in peace, and not to be dethroned. " In any case it is certain that William II., by the two acts he has recently performed, that of telegraphing his condolences to the President of the Republic and of sending one of the highest dignitaries of his Empire 300 William 11. at Home to represent him at the funeral of the victims of the Rue Jean-Goujon tragedy, has obhged the Parisians, and even all Frenchmen, to take an interest in what he thinks and in what he hopes. On this last point we must guard ourselves from attributing to him the childish motive which is too commonly attributed to him, that of a desire to be present in Paris at the Exhibition of 1900. If Germany takes an official part in the Exhibition of 1900, we do not see how we could prevent the Emperor William from coming to Paris then, even though we should have to take the most strict precautions to protect him from the possible outrages of madmen and scoundrels. " But in our opinion it is a more practical motive which governs the young Emperor's conduct. He understands and puts his finger on the inconveniences of eternal grudges ; he measures with an eye of dismay the fathomless depth of the bloody gulf which no one can fill up, and he, who believes in God and who seems to have converted M. Felix Faure to the use of that name, perhaps simply desires the accomplishment of a miracle to render possible a reconcihation of which he must otherwise despair^ Upon this, several good contemporaries accused the Figaro of being deficient in patriotism, and pretended that it had invited the Emperor William II. to visit Paris in the year 1 900. The article which I have just The German Emperor in Paris 301 quoted shows that this assertion was not absolutely without foundation. But the great journal had taken care to declare that it did not believe in this visit ever taking place, and that for a reconciliation between France and Germany, which must otherwise be an event to be despaired of^ a miracle would be necessary. The Gaulois^ nevertheless, took the trouble to publish the result of an inquiry into the project of William the Second's visit to Paris. As preface to this inquiry it added these words : " A good deal of lively feeling has been aroused by two recent articles in the Figaro. In these articles, the visit of the Emperor of Germany to France on the occasion of the Exhibition of 1900 was alluded to as an event, if not altogether probable, at least perfectly possible. ... It seemed to us an interesting experi- ment to put the question raised by the Figaro., ' Could or should the Emperor of Germany come to France } ' " No such question had been put by the Figaro^ but the inquiry was interesting because of the diverse personali- ties and differing parties which the Gaulois addressed. These interviews, these letters, or these declarations, will remain — some of them at least — documents for the historian. It is as such I reproduce them here. They have the merit of reflecting at least part of the French nation's opinion of WiUiam II. Madame Juliette Adam, Editress of the Nouvelle 302 William IL at Home Revue, whom M. Edouard Lockroy, at an official ball, once thus addressed, " Our future Minister for Foreign Affairs," thus expresses herself : — " William I. conquered us, but he could not rob us of our honour, and he left us ' a brave people.' The deliberate and firm purpose of WiUiam II. is to dishonour us. His apparent goodwill, his attentions towards us, are always shown in such a way as to abase and humiliate us. They are always followed by a counterpart glorification of our defeats, and by threats for the future. This gentle philosopher has the soul of a tyrant of the Bas-Empire ; the Germans know it well, and he will make them pay dear for the glories of the Hohenzollern. If, like Cassar, he wished to lean on the people, it was in the Roman sense and not the liberal one, for he treads down all traditional German liberty with stubborn rancour. A great many Germans, since the publication by one of them of a certain little pamphlet, call their Emperor Caligula ; they struggle against the Imperial fads, they resist his enterprises, they are disgusted with his exploits. But where they admire unreservedly the King of Prussia, their Emperor, is when he shows them, under the guise of a sympathy contrary to all his actions, his contempt and hatred for France. " William II. in Paris would make Paris and the French ridiculous with that pitying ridicule one feels for those whom one calls ' those poor people ! ' " The German Emperor in Paris 303 General du Barail, former Minister of War, a valiant soldier, who has been proved on many a field of battle, speaks as a politically prudent man. " The unexpected news lately given us by the Figaro is of a nature that would surprise us if other indications had not already been observed of a firm desire on the part of the Emperor WilHam II. to conclude in some sort that latent hostility which, since the Peace of Frankfort, exists between ourselves and Germany. When the Emperor William took the opportunity of his visit to Metz to show, by great military manoeuvres on our eastern frontier, and which recalled the great battle of 1870, the imposing forces concentrated in Alsace and Lorraine, he exhibited some desire to visit Paris. After the undeniable proofs of lively sympathy which he gave after the terrible catastrophe in the Rue Jean-Goujon, it is clear that this visit would be made with the most conciliatory intentions. It is what M. Ernest Judet, in the Petit Journal, so happily calls the ' warm douche after the cold douche.' " Well, in the problematical event of this projected visit taking place, it is interesting to consider what kind of reception the Parisian population would give to a German Sovereign, coming, after thinly veiled threats, to offer us the hand of friendship. Extreme prudence would not perhaps advise such a step, it being possible that a proud and patriotic nation, whose wounds 304 William IL at Home received in its last war are not yet healed, might not understand it. But we know that the young Emperor only follows his own inspirations, and that, his resolution once taken, he will not be induced by any consideration to alter it. " We must therefore argue on the hypothesis of a proceeding which is, if not probable, at least not impossible, and one which we cannot refuse to call a bold step and one full of importance. There can be no doubt as to the action of the French Government. The welcome given to the German Sovereign must be one of perfect and correct courtesy. " But what will be the attitude of the populace, and above all of those journals which influence so powerfully the sentiments and opinions of the Parisians ? Certainly the Emperor of Germany could not count upon the lively enthusiasm which marked the reception given to the Emperor and Empress of Russia ; but it seems to me impossible that if WilHam II. should come to Paris he should not meet with the respect and deference due to a powerful monarch, coming as our guest and in full confidence of the loyalty of the French nation. " If we look back into history we shall find an example which we could not do better than to imitate ; the reception given by Francis I. to Charles V., whose prisoner he had been. " But if our excess of patriotism would not permit us The German Emperor in Paris 305 to endure such a trial, it would be more honest and more dignified to convey diplomatically to the Emperor of Germany some idea of the feeling which the French persist in maintaining towards him. It is necessary to weigh well the immediate consequences of such an attitude. Are we ready to go to war again ? I have profound faith in the future of my dear country. France will not remain where melancholy events have placed her. She will take up again the course of her destiny, by enclosing herself once more within the frontier line nature has marked out for her. But she must wait till circumstances are favourable. Our army is brave and patriotic, ready to defend our country with the greatest courage ; but I do not think it is yet organised for a bold and aggressive attempt. " To conclude : if the Emperor of Germany decides to come to France, it should be assured that he will receive that courteous reception which a civilised people owes to an illustrious guest. If this cannot be assured, it would be more loyal to warn him that in the present state of public feeling, and in our political situation, the Government cannot take an absolute responsibility with regard to the attitude of the French populace." M. Maurice Barres, whose fine perceptions and often judicious sentiments are amongst the many virtues of this public man and brilliant writer, does not hesitate to express himself very categorically. 20 3o6 William 11. at Home "The Emperor William," he says, "could not come to Paris without being stoned. It would be deplorable if he were ; but it would be equally deplorable if he were not. Our diplomatists must therefore find means of avoiding such a situation. " It is true that the Emperor WilHam's grandfather came to Paris without an invitation ; but we have not arrived at that ! It is probable that the Government will say, ' We should have liked to avoid this visit, but the Emperor was so pressing ! How could we refuse him ? ' But all the same it is easier to keep such a visitor away than to face the terrible situation which would follow his visit. Even though the police were reinforced, and the ministry decided to silence all politicians, all irresponsible persons, that is to say the nation, grouped along the macadamised roads, and in the streets of Paris, would hoot the Emperor of Metz and Strasbourg^ even though every man would have immediately afterwards to rejoin his regiment. This must be avoided." M. Georges Berry, a republican-conservative deputy, contents himself with a brief declaration : — " Shall the Emperor of Germany come to Paris } It is a scheme which I think could not even be dis- cussed. Between him and us is Alsace-Lorraine. As long as that question is not settled in some fashion, such a visit must be impossible." The German Emperor in Paris 307 M. Paul de Cassagnac, editor of V Authorite, is vehemently hostile. " There is a scheme," he declares, '^ a complete scheme organised by those conscienceless persons who have already taken us to Kiel, and who now wish to bring William II. to Paris. This scheme is being slowly but surely executed in the hope of rallying public opinion by a series of balloon experiments, undertaken simultaneously in Paris and Berlin. The German Emperor is on the watch for every opportunity, counting, not without reason, on our frivolity and our bluster. We cannot bury a person of any note without being immediately assailed by telegrams from William II, He sent representa- tives to the obsequies of MacMahon, of Carnot, of Canrobert ; he is ruining himself in bouquets and garlands. The catastrophe at the Charity Bazaar was an event too favourable for his ends for him not at once to turn it to account ; his inevitable interference was only to be expected ; hence the mission of Prince Radziville, and the subscription, so clamorously ex- tolled, from the Imperial treasury. His generosity is praised, the steadfastness of his sympathy with P>ance is commended. Nay, more ! It is asserted that he would be quite ready to give us back Alsace and Lorraine, but cannot do so, sad as his inabihty makes him, poor man ! What does it all really mean 'I It is an endeavour to deceive the simple-minded, who 3o8 William 11. at Home are always in the majority, and to disarm them by abominable lies. But why? What is the object of this odious attempt? Oh, it is very simple. The object is to make us forget our conquered provinces. For this it would suffice that William should come to Paris, be received and applauded. This would be the public official national recognition, on the part of France, of Germany's eternal annexation of Alsace and Lorraine. What real interest can he take in our theatres, our monuments, our pleasure resorts, our mourning ? " No : what he wants, what he expects to obtain, is our moral disarmament. Whatever his mihtary power, he is uneasy in the face of the dim threats of the future. Fortune, especially that of arms, is inconstant. Who knows ? And thus he tells himself that the greatest service he can render Germany is to reconcile her to France. This is why he wishes to be invited. This also is why the true patriots oppose the invitation with all their strength, and refuse to ratify by a reception, contrary to nature, the abandonment of our lost provinces. "What ! Shall we see the Emperor of Germany move quietly and smilingly about Paris, while the conscripts of Alsace and Lorraine, who refuse to serve in an army which might and ought to fight against France, have not even the right to return to their native country, to embrace a white-haired father or a heartbroken old The German Emperor in Paris 309 mother ! Does not this dishonouring thought suffice to show that such a visit would be abnormally mon- strous ? " M, Francis Charmes, a most distinguished deputy and diplomatist, refuses to believe in William II. 's visit to Paris. "I do not know what truth there may be in the project which is attributed to the Emperor William, but I cannot believe that it will ever be carried out. If W^ilHam II. wished to visit Paris and has never yet put his wishes into execution, it is because he has had good reasons for not doing so. I do not believe that these reasons will have disappeared in three years' time. There are memories which will be as vivid in 1900 as now. Nothing could be more inopportune than such a visit. I repeat that I do not believe in it." M. Denys Cochin, a Conservative deputy, remembers that he fought the Prussians in 1870. His courage won him a medal. " It is a suggestion which would have stupefied the soldiers of 1870. I am one of them, and I have retained all my patriotic fervour. And this is just the danger. All enthusiasms have a tendency to grow dull, all passions are apt to lose their force. W^e arrive at indifference, and this is the greatest of evils. Cer- tainly, according to the hypothesis that you present, 3IO William IL at Home a great effort would be made, but it could not meet with success as long as the question of Alsace and Lorraine remains in abeyance. But it is for this very reason that such things should not even be spoken of" M. Francois Deloncle prefers, probably with design, not to reply directly to the question, and evades it with much skill. '' I do not think that such a scheme could have commended itself to a mind so powerful and, as we are told, so balanced, as that of the Emperor WiUiam, unless the Emperor contemplates making the execution of such a scheme the crown of an act as yet unannounced to us, but which would give to France and Europe the only guarantee of reconciliation which our nation has a right to expect." M. Demole, sometime Keeper of the Seals, and an eminently prudent man, is embarrassed, and finds his interviewer embarrassing. '• These questions are very embarrassing. . , . The Emperor William is at liberty to come to France in times of peace. It is not in anybody's power to prevent him from executing the project which he cherishes of visiting our Exhibition. Our diplomatists will be powerless to dissuade the grandson of our conqueror from making this visit if he means to make it. And I cannot conceal from myself that things might take an awkward turn. . . ." The German Emperor in Paris 3 1 t M. Edouard Drumont, editor of La Libre Parole, gives his very radical advice in a very moderate form. " The Emperor of Germany's coming to Paris would seem to me absolutely inexplicable. We are at peace with Germany and we behave towards her as a civilised nation should. There are in Paris thirty-five thousand Germans who benefit by our civilisation ; there are only three hundred and fifty Frenchmen in Berlin ; we therefore fulfil well the duties of hospitality. But there is no necessity for the German Emperor to come and, so to speak, defy us ; his coming would be cruel to the French. Time obliterates sad memories to some extent, but it does not cause them to be totally forgotten. " We could not prevent the sons of the Alsatians and of natives of Lorraine from showing their senti- ments, and it would be sad to have to repress such a manifestation. " William II. was not the author of those summary volleys of musketry directed upon those franc-tireurs and peasants whose crime was that they had defended their country or had refused to serve in the army of their enemies. He did not bombard Paris nor burn Chateaudun after its surrender ; but in so far as he benefits by the conquests of his ancestor, he ought to bear the moral consequences which they bring in their train ; he ought not to come and re-animate those 312 William IL at Home feelings of melancholy and misery which the French experienced when their country was mutilated. To come to Paris would be a piece of bravado on his part, and the consequences of such an action, whatever these might be, would be his own fiiult in the eyes of the civilised world. " Nevertheless, I add that William II. can come to Paris ; he has only to wish it. I predict for him the most triumphal reception which has ever been accorded a Sovereign. He knows what he has to do, and, as a French general said to you some years ago, if he wishes to secure for himself a great name peaceably, he can do it by restoring to us Alsace and Lorraine," The Reverend Father Monsabre declares that he is absolutely forbidden to submit to any interviews, but, being anxious above all things to make his attitude clear, he adds : — " You may be assured that my sentiments with re- gard to this projected visit are those of a patriotic monk, to whom nothing is dearer than the honour of France." M. I'Abbe Lemire, deputy, does not forget that he is a priest, but at the same time he thinks continually of the gap in the Vosges. " Surely it is impossible ! . . . This visit might perhaps bring about war, horrible war, and I love my country and France — eldest daughter of the Church — too well to wish for that, or at least not to blame those The German Emperor in Paris 313 on whom such a heavy responsibility would rest. But I cannot and will not blame any one. I know Alsace- Lorraine and the people of Alsace-Lorraine. I have some of them in my service ! And I see them every day ! . . . Oh ! these brave Frenchmen ! They are indomitable. But I beg of you not to place me in the painful position of having to utter words of hatred. I am incapable of it." M. Leveille, Professor of Law and deputy of Paris, is one of the most furious of the Moderates. " I am a Frenchman above all things. I can forget nothing. It was a mistake to raise such a discussion. The opinion is unanimous that such a visit is impossible. As a Frenchman I tremble at the unforeseen conse- quences which might result from such a visit." M. Charles Malto, the most convinced of anarchists and revolutionaries, but who is most gentle in the ordinary relations of life, abominates all kings and emperors. He takes the opportunity of having his say about the Emperor of Germany. " William II. has taken a predominant place in Europe, thanks to the coalition of the governors and — why should we not say it ? — to the cowardice of the governed. He is for the moment the policeman of the European reaction, and the platonic declarations of the Social Democrats will not suffice to check him in the pursuit of his immeasurable ambitions. 314 William 11. at Home " If, therefore, he comes to France, it is probable that he will be received with hisses alone, the hisses of those patriots who regard him as the jailer of Alsace- Lorraine, the hisses of revolutionaries and socialists, who see in him the incarnation of military despotism. " The ministers and the prefect of police who may be then in office may maintain what is called order in the streets, but they will not be able to prevent the Parisians from standing at their windows to spit upon their visitor. It would be a feeble revenge and assertion of equality." M. Alfred Mezieres, member of the Academic Frangaise, and deputy, is of opinion that William II. wishes to make advances to France ; but in order that that such advances should be effectively made, a guarantee is necessary. " It seems to me that we belittle the intentions of the Emperor of Germany when we attribute to him simply the desire to visit the Paris Exhibition of 1900. His ambition seems to me to reach higher. If I understand aright the words and attitude of William II., it is in a political sense that he desires to make advances to France. "This might possibly be effected, but on only one condition, which is that Germany renounces her rights of conquest, the feudal rights which she has revived for her own profit in this latter half of the nineteenth The German Emperor in Paris 3 1 5 century ; and by restoring to her annexed populations the right of speech, she recognises their right to choose freely their own nationality." M. Millerand, deputy, and one of the most influential chiefs of the parliamentary socialists, expresses his opinion in the most moderate terms. " It must be seen that it would be impossible to welcome with courtesy the idea of an Imperial visit so long as Alsace is subject to German authority. " Let us hope that our Minister for Foreign Affairs will discourage entirely such a project. As to France, she must say, ' No ! ' and ceaselessly say 'No!' *' The Emperor William, who, on his side, knows — when he chooses — how to give proofs of his perspicacity, has no right to forget our disasters in 1871. '■' And if he does not wish to forget them, we must still reply, without any chauvinist ideas and without any wish for revenge, ' France does not forget.' " We are all of one mind on this. Conservatives and Republicans think exactly alike. " For note well, the two provinces taken with such brutal force from France are not yet Germanised. A deputy quite recently pointed out this fact to their jailers. In speaking to our diplomats we ought to say, ' Take care. ... It depends on you to dissuade the Emperor William from cherishing this project of a 3i6 William 11. at Home visit to our Exhibition. There is in such a project a danger of war zvhich you ought to know how to prevent. As an Emperor cannot come as a simple tourist, it rests with you, before discussing and arranging all the measures to be taken in view of an Imperial visit, to know how to avert in time the terrible catastrophes to which it might give rise. *' It has been said that France is the first moral person in the world. Be it so. She ought therefore to use language which in these circumstances will inspire the most elementary prudence. For the rest, our inter- nationalism serves the cause of France, in preaching a peace which will not be an accomplished fact until the international understanding between all workers has ceased to be merely a theoretical question. " In our idealism — which inspires all peoples — we are patriotic, for true patriotism does not consist in desiring to speak by the cannon's mouth in an incessant clamour for revenge." M. Lucien Millevoye claims a guarantee if William 11. really desires to visit France. " William II. can only enter France amidst garlands or amidst outrages. If he restores Alsace and Lorraine to us he will be received with an enthusiasm perhaps unparalleled in history. If, on the contrary, he persists in attempting a visit without having satisfied the just claims of France, no precautions of the Government The German Emperor in Paris 3 1 7 or the police can guard him from violent outbreaks of popular indignation. " The formula which the Gaiilois put at the head of its inquiry, ' What will you give ? ' expresses the feeling which animates public opinion. Alsace-Lorraine might be the object of a pacific exchange. We might even sacrifice some of our recent colonial conquests to get back our lost provinces. This arrangement would assure the peace of Europe for an indefinable time, and create a powerful tie between France and Germany. There would be no further rivalry between the two nations, except on the ground of commercial enterprises. But the restitution should be large, com- plete, and decisive ; things should not be done by halves. If William II. really dreams of making a friendship with France the base of a new policy, fruitful in new results, he must pay the price ; that price and no other. " To let him believe that France renounces, that she forgets, that she forgives everything, so long as she has not been appeased, is more than a mistake ; it is a national crime which might bring about at the end of this century a more bloody conflict than that of 1870. It is not only in the name of honour that we protest, and that we shall continue to protest energetically ; it is in the interests of general peace and European equilibrium. 31 8 William 11. at Home "But take notice that in this campaign which we have entered on there is no thought of injury against William II. French patriots look upon him as a very formidable enemy, because he has great qualities, tenacity, strength of will, an exalted idea of his Imperial dignity, and sincere love for his country. We should hope that French policy might be inspired by equally high sentiments. But the more we are obliged to respect those on the other side of our frontier, the more we must guard our country from formidable surprises, or from such intolerable disgrace which they may have in store for us. " This is why we revert to memories and talk of duty, in order to avoid a terrible awakening. " The Emperor of Germany ought to know by this time that it will not be enough for him to treat with official France, and that it would be more than imprudent to ignore the soul of that other France, the true one, the one which only awaits an opportunity of revealing herself in full. It would be very dangerous if this opportunity should be the Emperor's visit to Paris. . . ." M. Ribaut, former president of the Council, and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, cannot express himself freely on account of his official position. He simply replies : — " You must understand my reserve. As a former The German Emperor in Paris 3 1 9 Minister for Foreign Affairs, I cannot express myself freely on a question of diplomacy so serious. " I prefer to say nothing. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will know how to do his duty." M. Henri Rochefort thinks that it is the bankers and men of great financial position who desire to force our ministers to substitute a Franco-German alliance for a Franco-Russian alliance. " But," he adds, " do what they will, they will not succeed. Our diplomatists will be obliged to smile at this project of a visit of the Emperor of Germany to Paris. " They will understand that it is impossible. For they fear, as well as the indignation of the universal conscience, the formidable attacks of the indepen- dent press. For there still exist some independent journals. " As far as the Intransigeant is concerned, I shall stir up the legitimate anger of three hundred thousand workmen, who will drum into the ears of William II. such music that he will end by regretting Wagner — this time with good reason. " Unless from that time he restores to us Alsace- Lorraine ; in which case he can come here in peace — I will even undertake to act as his cicerone about Paris, to point out for his admiration the artistic treasures of our museums — not without pointing out to him at the 320 William IL at Home Slime time that he will not be allowed to steal them like so many watches. " ' Infandum, regina, jubes renovare dolorem.' " This discussion attracted the attention of the German press, which reproduced most of the answers which the Gaulois received. The Berliner Zeitung wound up a long article from its Paris correspondent with an indignant article, in which these words occurred : " If the French continue these courtesies, our Emperor may perhaps go to Paris without an invitation, accompanied by his numerous battalions; and nothing will be able to bar his way." As a contribution to documentary history it may be interesting to quote the following anecdote, which appeared in the Gaulois, June 29th, 1897. The Marquis de Noailles, French Ambassador in Berlin, had a visit from his nephew, a lieutenant of dragoons, towards the end of May. The young officer wished to make use of a very short leave to see some- thing of the German army at close quarters. The morning after his arrival in Berlin he was presented to the Emperor by his uncle during a review, and received most flattering attentions from William II. A few days afterwards M. de Noailles was dining at mess with the officers of one of the regiments in the garrison of Berlin. The Emperor appeared unexpectedly FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF HOHENZOLLERN. 21 The German Emperor in Paris 323 towards the end of dinner and, recognising the officer, approached him and engaged him in conversation. " You see, monsieur, how I treat my officers. I share their meals. I talk with them of their hopes, their disappointments. I know them all, and they all know that I am interested in them. . . . This is as it should be. "You have in your country a very fine army. I was able to judge of it when I was in France. "Your infantry is admirable. I think, however, that my own is not inferior to it. I cannot unfortunately say as much for my artillery. In material and horsing the French artillery is better than the German, but I do not despair of remedying this inferiority. " On the other hand, my cavalry, as you have been able to see, is better than yours. And yet you have a man whose advice, if it had been followed, would have given you the finest cavalry in the world ; I mean General Gallifet, whose theories Papa and Grandpapa themselves always admired and put into practice. " Political exigencies have not permitted me to meet him up to the present, but I can assure you that now that he is no longer serving, if the opportunity of conversing with him were given to me, I should have the greatest pleasure in it. . . . William II. declares that he appreciated our army when he was in France. He certainly came when he was still Crown Prince. Has he visited us since. 324 William IL at Home incognito ? It has been as often denied as it has been affirmed. To say the truth, the thing is not impossible. Paris is such an attractive centre that kings could not be blamed for liking to come there from time to time. Quite lately the Etoile Beige published an article in which that Brabant journal gave the most minute details of a visit of William II. to Paris during the universal Exhibition of 1889. This is how the Etoile Beige spoke on the subject : — - " Of late years we know of only one really mysterious journey of a sovereign when the incognito was narrowly, strictly, ceaselessly kept. This is the journey taken in the summer of 1889 by the Emperor William II. to Paris. We are in a position to relate the chief incidents, and this recital will be a revelation to the reader, "One morning in May 1889, during the course of an audience given by the Sovereign to M. Herbette, the Emperor said suddenly to the French ambassador, — - " ' Will you inform your Government that I most particularly wish to go next month and spend a fortnight incognito in Paris .^ ' " " A few days after, M. Herbette asked for leave, and went to Paris to lay before the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was then M. Spuller, the Emperor of Germany's intentions. When he returned to Berlin he had several, interviews with William II., for the purpose of arranging all the details of a plan from The German Emperor in Paris 325 which nothing seemed able to dissuade him. These arrangements necessitated several times the ambassador's presence in Paris. At last, at the end of June, all the arrangements were completed, and William II. was to go to Paris, and remain there some ten days or so. " The persons taken into confidence were, on the Emperor's side, an admiral, the captain of the llohen- zollern, the Chancellor of the Empire, a general of division, and two valets ; on the side of France, President Carnot, the Minister for Foreign Affiiirs, the Director of General Safety, and the Minister of War. Twenty agents of police were charged with the duty of watching and protecting the traveller. Perhaps none of them know to this day who it was they were commanded to take such care of. As to the German Ambassador at Paris, he was not told of his Sovereign's journey till after he had gone. " Ail these preparations concluded, William II. went to Kiel, embarked in his yacht, and gave out that he was going for a cruise to the North Cape. " This time he did not go to the North Cape, " Four days afterwards he disembarked at night at Arendal, in Norway, with a general and two servants, and, travelling like a simple mortal, he crossed Norway, the North Sea, Holland, Belgium, and finally, on a day in June, arrived in Paris by the morning train. From 326 William IL at Home Brussels he had travelled in a reserved compartment, between two reserved compartments, which were, however, empty until they reached Maubeuge, when they were occupied by the police officers, sent by the Department of General Safety, to make sure of his security. " Amongst these agents were an official belonging to the Foreign Office Department, and two officers sent by the Minister for War. At the Gare du Nord the Emperor got into a common fiacj^e with the general who accompanied him, and was driven to the Hotel des Bade, Boulevard des Italiens, the same hotel where, some months before. General Seliverstoff had been assassinated by the nihilist Padleweski. He had only reserved, under an assumed name, an apartment on the first floor, but the suite on the second floor, and the entresol^ were occupied by those men appointed to guard him. " Constantly surrounded by a band of secret guards, to whom the German general every morning gave the programme of the visits and expeditions arranged for the day, the Emperor William was enabled to see the Exhibition and go about Paris, The men who guarded him, without knowing who he was, had orders to permit no one to approach him. They only had to interfere once. " The very day after his arrival the Emperor of Germany was returning on foot from the Place de la The German Emperor in Paris 327 Concorde when a passer-by stopped two paces from him and stared with a stupefied air. Evidently he recognised the Emperor, and could not believe his eyes. Without his having made a single hostile or equivocal gesture, he was seized, flung into a carriage which was close by, taken to the police station in the Palais de Industrie, from there to the Home Secretary, and finally handed over to the Prefect of Police and kept concealed. The papers found on him, and the inquiries made at the hotel where he was staying, proved that this unfortunate passer-by was an officer of the Prussian army in the garrison of Berlin. He was accustomed to see William II., and was in Paris quite legitimately on leave. He was only set at liberty after the departure of the Emperor, and this in the presence of the German Ambassador, at last aware of his Sovereign's visit to France, and charged with special orders concerning the prisoner. " This incident, which was speedily reported to William II., had the effect of making him abandon all expeditions on foot, and of shortening his stay. He had come with the intention of staying nine or ten days, but he re- mained in fact only four, to the great relief of those members of the Government who were in the secret of his presence in their capital. " Four days to see Paris, and that under the necessity of hiding oneself, is not much, and it is allowable to 32 8 William IL at Home ask what measure of satisfaction the German Emperor felt. " We may be assured that in that short time he visited Versailles, and the field of battle of Buzenval. " It was with real satisfaction that they heard at the Elysee of the speedy departure of this embarrassing and self-invited guest. William II. left by a night train, as he had come, and went to London, still guarded by the French agents. He crossed the Channel, only stopped in London to go from the Holborn Viaduct station to the Liverpool Street station, and took the train for the port of Hull in Yorkshire. There he embarked for Norway, got back to Arendal, and went once more on board his yacht." This story is curious and amusing. That all its details are true I much doubt ; but if William II. ever really came to Paris since his accession to the throne, it seems more probable that he chose the time of our great universal Exhibition than the time of the famous review at Chalon given in honour of the Tsar Nicholas when he visited France. But it is officially that the Emperor of Germany, inheritor of the glory of his grandfather, must dream of visiting our capital — not only for the mere pleasure of seeing it, of course, but with the object of announc- ing to an astonished Europe — that Europe so long jealous of France — that the French Republic no longer The German Emperor in Paris 329 has her eyes fixed on the Vosges, that the Treaty of Frankfort is definitely ratified by the conquered nation, and that Germany, freed for the future from the nightmare of revenge, can give herself to dreams of fresh glories and new conquests. The march of events, the words of William II, himself, show clearly that such is his scheme ; and as the whole policy of Europe may perhaps be influenced by the decisions that we shall one day, sooner or later, have to make, it seems to me useful and even necessary to analyse the actual situation and to denounce the trap into which William II. is trying to make us fall. CHAPTER XXIII. WILLIAM THE SECOND'S SCHEMES.— THE FUTURE. CHAPTER XXIII. WILLIAM THE SECOND'S SCHEMES.— THE FUTURE. THE Emperor of Germany was pleased lately to revive the flimous saying of Napoleon III., " Empire is Peace." And William II. heaps kindnesses on us. In the course of his interviews with M. Jules Simon in Berlin, we are told that he did not spare his eulogiums on France, and the expressions of his desire to live in harmony with her. Her arts, her literature, interest him. He professes to have a high idea of our army, and pays homage to the exceptional valour of our generals. He could find words full of emo- tion, I remember, when the Marshals Canrobert and MacMahon died. In words he is so sympathetic that a certain number of Frenchmen award him praises which are not given to him in his own country. A German who lives in Paris — an amiable and sceptical philosopher — said to me not long ago,^ — • " I think it is his fine feathers which attract your countrymen when they praise our emperor to the skies. He is in truth a soldier who looks well on horseback 333 334 William 11. at Home in the middle of his army. He adores uniform, and it becomes him marvellously. This is what takes the fancy of the crowd. With us, where, in spite of the victories we have won, we have less enthusiasm for these outward gifts of the Sovereign, the despotic ways of William II. increase every day the already large number of malcontents, whose votes are given only to those who dare to declare that they would have an end made of the existing regime — in other words, to the socialists. These malcontents are far from being dis- ciples of Karl Marx ; many of them are totally ignorant of the first principles of the author of ' Capital ' ; but they see in the Liebknect and the Bebel the necessary instruments for making a breach in that power which the Emperor more and more desires to make absolute. I am not afraid to tell you that the middle classes in Germany, who in no way hold " subversive ideas," as the fashionable phrase is in governmental spheres in Germany — are no less hostile at heart to the Emperor than the working classes ; the elections of next year will give you striking proof of this." The correspondent of a great journal of the other side of the Rhine cried, in the middle of a conversation which we were having on the subject of William II., — "Our Emperor ^ . . . But he is the Emperor of the French . . . and we make you a present of him with the greatest pleasure." William the Second^s Schemes. — The Future 335 The fiict is that in Germany WilHam II. is not so popular as we imagine here that he is. Here he is discussed, but his ready wit, his originality, his quick-wittedness, interest even those who do not see in him a rival of Frederick II. or even of William I. The Times of Monday, June 21st, 1887, published a sensational correspondence of M. de Blowitz. It reported the declarations made by the Emperor William to a " very important person." Before publishing them here I took pains to ascertain their authenticity. The correspondent of the 'Times, when questioned by me, replied thus : — " I assure you absolutely of the authenticity of the interview. The conversation took place with a French- man of very high position, and was faithfully reported. It was on the occasion of a private dinner, and lasted a long time. The interlocutor was not a political man, but a savant, an open-minded man and one knowing much of all Europe. " I may as well add that the interview was quoted by all the German papers, and that no German official or officials have denied it." Here are, not the exact words of the Times, but the sense of those used by M. de Blowitz. " William II. expressed his opinion on three points. ' I do not know ' he said — and really it is a quaint way of looking at things — " I do not know why the French 336 William IL at Home are so angry with me. It was not I who brought about the existing state of things. It is a heritage I found, and I do not think that there can exist a being in the world, capable of thinking, who can reproach me for having accepted it. I have done nothing to aggravate a situation which was handed on to me, and of which, up to the present, I have contented myself with being a faithful and respectful guardian. " ' I think that ev^en those who make the most outcry, if I were to ask them what they would advise me to do, could not advise me to do what they must feel themselves incapable of doing if they were in my place. And all the same they dislike me as if I had done it all myself, and they make all my efforts to ameliorate a situation, of which the amelioration would have the happiest results for both countries^ useless. " ' I have endeavoured to create a common action for the two countries on commercial and industrial grounds, and on economical grounds. But some have replied to me with the prejudiced determination of incapable men, and others with the disposition to sympathy of intelligent men, but who have neither the courage nor the necessary authority to bring things to a happy conclusion. In these circumstances one must let things take their course, and depend on time to bring about solutions which one cannot foresee. . . . " ' Yes, I have a great respect and admiration for the William the Second's Schemes. — The Future 337 Pope Leo XIII., but it is his German partisans who prevent me from doing anything for him. Our Catholics are much more absolute than French Catholics. They only recognise one thing : the re-establishment of the temporal power in all its former extent, so that it would be impossible for me either by will or deed to restore this former state of things ; they would not only not accept any concessions from me, but they would accuse me of acknowledging what they call '* spoliations," even while they accepted the concessions of those who had despoiled them. . . . No, I do not see any present prospect of rivalries, and I am sure that everybody desires most sincerely to avoid them. But I am not so sure as to the future of Europe. I foresee a double danger for her. I am not afraid for her of the ' yellow peril ' ; recent events have repelled that for some time to come. Nor do I fear the ' red peril,' because that rests on Utopia and on spoliation, and because the whole civilised world is resolved to unite in its efforts to combat it, and protect itself against its destructive action. But I fear on one side the danger of a certain invading and continued extension zvith which Europe is threatened by one of her races, arnnd with all the resources which civilisation puts and -will put at the service of her ambition ; and on the other side I fear the intervention of the New World, which is beginning to develop appetites from which it has been up to now 22 33 8 William IL at Home free, and which will before long wish to interfere in the affairs of the Old World and to meet half way the ambitions, always waking, which are stirring around us. This is what I fear, and this is why for my part I do not allow myself to be carried away by ambitious desires of troubling Europe, which would be only too readily attributed to me under the pretext of wishing to prevent me from troubling her.' " One can see that it is always France which is the object of his liveliest desires. He wishes to draw her into his orbit. If he has not already succeeded, he counts on time, which often does bring about forget- fulness of injuries. He needs a France reconciled to Germany to preserve definitely for him the heritage which was left him, and also — and it is here that his ambition shows itself — to check a " certain invading and continued extension with which Europe is threat- ened by one of her races, armed with all the resources which civilisation puts and will put at the service of her ambition." When this interview was pubhshed, there was but one voice in naming the enemy. This enemy is evidently England. Nevertheless, M.. de Blowitz assured me that the distinguished savant had declared that by this William II. had meant Russia. Without wishing to throw any doubt on the perspi- cuity of the savant, we may be permitted, until further orders, to believe that the Emperor of Germany was William the Second's Schemes. -The Future 339 alluding to England. William the Second's senti- ments for that country have been long known. lie showed them in a startling manner, in his famous tele- gram to the President of the 'J'ransvaal, Kriiger, atter the failure of the Jameson raid. Prince Bismarck succeeded in getting us into trouble with Italy by letting us go to Tunis, and by having cleverly manoeuvred to back the colonial enterprises of PVance, particularly in Tonquin, in order to render our con- tinental policy ineffective. William II. is obviously endeavouring now to embroil us with England. He Is not ignorant that everywhere we are a little in rivalry with England, and that the establishment of England in Egypt, which seems to be permanent in spite of the most positive and most solemn assurances of the Queen's ministers, is a great difficulty, the greatest which separates us from our neighbours across the Channel. Then he puts before us in official journals the great advantage it would be to France to accept loyally the Treaty of Frankfort ; it would secure to us, if needed, the effectual support of Germany in expelling the English from Egypt, William II. forgets to tell us that Germany has colonial ambitions ; that she is not afraid of France on this ground, but that she is held in check in Africa by England, with whom she has already found herself in serious conffict ; and that in reality, in encouraging us against Great Britain, she is 34<^ William 11. at Home seeking the friendship of France to serve German interests. The Emperor of Germany, on the occasion of his last visit to Russia, in proposing the health of the Tsar, swore that he was the faithful friend of peace, and that he would be always at the side of the Emperor of all the Russias to fight those who attempted to disturb it. It has been generally believed that in uttering these words William II. meant to give a serious warning to England, and I do not think that general opinion is wrong. A commercial and industrial struggle began long ago between England and Germany. The repudiation by England of her treaty of commerce with Germany and Belgium has placed her in a most critical position. I may as well here remark that it was upon that initiative of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, prime minister of Canada, that this important step was taken. The English Government stood out for some time, and then decided no longer to accord to Germany the position of being the most favoured nation in its commercial relations with ancient France. England thus gains a more remunerative trade with Canada, aims a rude blow at Germany, and France may profit by the repudiation of these treaties. Therefore when, on August 2nd, 1897, a banquet was given in honour of the French Prime Minister of Canada at the Hotel Terminus, by his French friends, the great William the Second's Schemes, — The Future 341 Canadian orator was received with acclamation, not only on account of the fine speech which he had made on that occasion, but also because of the great diplo- matic success which he had just achieved. I seem to hear still the repeated cheers which resounded when he said, — "The tie which binds us to Great Britain is not a tie imposed by force, it is a tie maintained by affection and gratitude — gratitude I siy for the great nation which not only protects our liberty, but protects our interests to such a degree that only four days ago she has repudi- ated the commercial treaty which she has maintained with Germany for thirty years. . . ." And what noble emotions agitated every breast when Sir Wilfrid Laurier, citizen of ancient P'rance, uttered these words of retrospective sentiment, and at the same time of hope, — " In going about Paris I pause many times before those beautiful monuments with which your land is sown. " There are two which I could not see without feeling a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I stopped long and reverently before the statue of Strasbourg, that statue which is always crowned with the colours of France. It recalls a wound always bleeding and one zvhich tender souls would not ever wish to see closed. 342 William IL at Home " I stopped before the monument of Gambetta, of that eminent man whose political genius and whose good sense steered France with so sure a hand through a crisis full of perils, and contributed so largely to give her the government of order and liberty which she now enjoys." M. Cochery, Minister of Finance, in spite of his official position, could not refrain from applauding the orator. This spectacle was truly comforting, for it proved that the patriotic fibre, and the memory of the enemy, was still strong in the souls of the three hundred guests who pressed around Sir Wilfrid Laurier. None the less, these were not men who sought adventures, nor braggarts desiring, cost what it may, to drag their country into war to recover our frontiers. There were present notably, MM. Nisard, head of the political department under the Minister for Foreign Affairs ; L. Herbette, State Councillor ; Doctor Pean ; Loew, President of the High Court of Appeal ; Gabriel Chandeze ; G. Pallain, Director of the Customs ; M. Tisserand, State Councillor; Henri de Lamothe, Governor of the first-class colonies ; — ^all men who are not generally considered to be bellicose spirits. Another orator, M. Emile Gautier, of the Figaro, was warmly cheered when he raised his glass in honour of Canada, " who demonstrates," said he, " in realising it, the possibility and the fruitfulness of a cordial understanding William the Second^s Schemes. The Future 343 between the two neighbouring races, the Gallo-Latin and the Anglo-Saxon races!' A cordial understanding with England ? It seems to be a crime in the eyes of some to dare to speak of such a thing, and that in refusing to encourage one's country in a foolish Anglophobia one runs the risk of being called a " stipendiary of Albion." All the same I venture to declare that the policy in favour of establishing a cordial understanding with our neighbours on the other side of the Channel is an eminently patriotic policy. I can never be made to believe that the Egyptian question can take precedence in importance of the question of Alsace and Lorraine. The latter is not merely a matter of sentiment, as is sometimes said. The two provinces which were torn from us in 1870 were amongst our brightest jewels ; their commerce, their industries, were of the first rank. They were two rich provinces, and their valiant population is a loss to PVance, as the fortifications of Strasbourg and Metz are a loss in the defences of the country — Metz, which can, alas ! no longer be called " La Pucelle " since the treachery of Marshal Bazaine. To-day we have, to speak correctly, no frontiers. On the other hand, we have new and fine colonies, as Tonquin and Madagascar, which might some day become a source of wealth to the mother country, while we have lost, a good deal by our own fault it must be 344 William IL at Home confessed, Egypt, that Egypt which Germany makes a show of offering us on condition of the definite renunci- ation of Alsace-Lorraine. The story of France's loss of Egypt is known. At one sitting the majority of the French parliament refused to join with England in re-establishing order in the land of the Pharaohs, where so many fresh interests were — and are still — -at stake. I found myself by accident near the Chamber of Deputies on the day when Gambetta made, on the occasion of this important question of our intervention in Egypt, one of his finest speeches, a speech which will live in history, not only because of its wonderful eloquence, but because of the great truths which he affirmed, and because of the prophetic words which came from the lips of the great tribune, the last of his public life and not the least memorable because of that. I had great difficulty in getting a ticket of admission. For two hours past the Assembly had been complete, and the most animated conversations were going on while a secretary read the written minutes without any- body listening to him. In the gallery and in the tribunes an extraordinary excitement prevailed. Every- body knew he was going to be present at a great sitting, and pointed out the speakers who were going to take part in it. Gambetta was not amongst them. Many people were standing up, the better to observe the William the Second's Schemes. The Future 345 rising politicians, who were talking with such noise, but on whose faces one did not read the pre-occupation of those who have a great thing to do. Not far from me, mounted on a bench, was M. Millerand, one of the chiefs of the Extreme Left socialists, who was not yet a deputy and contented him- self with the term " radical " in the Extreme Left of the Mole conference. But here is M. de Freycinet speaking, M. de Freycinet whom Gambetta had made one of his colleagues during the National Defence, and who, to-day Minister for Foreign Affairs, seemed to forget all the gratitude he owed to the great orator. The minister spoke in his small, penetrating voice, turning from the Extreme Left to the side of the Extreme Right, throwing from time to time an implor- ing look at the Centres. His attitude is one of humility when a national question is under discussion, and while he speaks, Gambetta, on the first bench of the Extreme Left, stupefied by what he sees and hears uttered in his country's tribunal, exclaims suddenly, in his thundering voice, " I demand to speak." I am not exaggerating ; the Chamber is seized with an actual fit of trembling. M. de Freycinet is no longer listened to. All eyes are fixed on Gambetta — while the Minister for Foreign Afl^airs finishes his speech amid feeble applause. He has hardly descended 346 William IL at Home on the right side the first steps of the tribune leading to the auditorium when Gambetta springs into the tribune from the left side. Under the impulse of deep indig- nation, he begins by stigmatising the attitude of his old friend, and flings out words which thaw the Assembly, words which I quote from memory. " In mounting this tribunal I recall the words of Berryer, ' It is not thus one should speak of France ! ' " M. de Freycinet, returned to his minister's seat, is overwhelmed, while the Chamber rings with " Bravos ! " Having thus struck down his adversary at the first blow, Gambetta breaks into another sitting, at which I am also accidentally present, on the great question which is the subject of debate. He energetically claims the intervention of France, and declares : — " Gentlemen, I have seen enough to be able to tell you this. Never break with the English ! Oh, I know what will be insinuated ; it is time to have done with evasions, and I will explain myself plainly. I am a sincere friend of the English, but not to the extent of sacrificing French interests to them. . . . " Moreover," he went on, " be convinced of this ; that the English, good politicians as they are, only esteem those allies who know how to make themselves respected and their interests considered. And that which makes me desire the English alliance and English co-operation in the Mediterranean and in Egypt is that William the Second's Schemes. — The Future 347 — and mark well, what I most fear, apart from such an unlucky rupture — is that you will yield to England " for ever those territories, those rivers and those channels, where your right to live and trade is as good as hers. It is not therefore to humiliate, to SANS SOUCI. degrade, or to lessen the interests of France that I am an advocate for the English alliance. It is because I do not think, gentlemen, that we can effectively protect these interests except by such a union, such an alliance. If there is a rupture with England, all is lost''' All was, in fact, lost several days afterwards and from 348 William IL at Home that day the FVanco-English relations have been less amicable. Gambetta, whose patriotism kept pace with all events, — he showed it in 1870 — sought for a support for his country from the side of Russia. He saw SkobelofF, and his interviews with the Russian general laid the first foundations of the actual military treaties between France and Russia. In this, had he renounced the friendship of England ? No. For he thought that necessary for France. In his speech on the Egyptian question, of which I have quoted part, it was not only a policy of convenience which he recommended should be adopted towards England, it was a policy of principle. Would the Anglophobists have accused Gambetta of being a " stipendiary of Albion " ? To-day we have not got the English alliance, but we have the Russian alliance. August 26th, 1897, was a great day for France as well as for Russia. On that day, at Cronstadt, on the Pothau, the Tzar and the President of the French Republic exchanged two toasts which were in themselves a great event. These two toasts, which proclaimed in the clearest, the neatest, the most eloquent manner, the alliance between F'rance and Russia, justly rejoiced and even filled with enthusiasm all Frenchmen, to whatever party they belonged. Gambetta, as I have said, laid, in his interviews with Skobeleff, the foundation of the future military treaty William the Second's Schemes. — The Future 349 signed in 1891. Henri Rochefort, with his marvellous skill, led through his journal a vigorous campaign in favour of the Russian alliance, which several ministers in France — it is needless to name them in these days of patriotic rejoicing — had considered as a dangerously Utopian scheme. Deroulede, supported by " /^ Ligue des fatriotes^'' which, in spite of its interested detractors, I may say, has been a wonderful instrument in the national re- elevation, disseminated everywhere a favourable word for the eventual alliance between the two countries. Others again, such as M. Flourens, when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, rendered signal services to the cause of the Russian alliance. M. Hanotaux at last succeeded — and this was something — in having the Tsar's official announcement of the alliance made. The only fear which one can feel to-day is that the Russian alliance, whatever may have been the dreams of its first pioneers, may have changed its object. In the beginning it was considered as of service in restoring the balance against the military power of Germany. To-day some of us are asking ourselves whether Germany, who is on excellent terms with official Russia at least, is not endeavouring to enter into this alliance in order to form with her, and perhaps other Powers, a coalition against England, It is the dream conceived of by Napoleon I., whose ambition was 35<^ William IL at Home to strike a blow at the heart of the English power which William II. cherishes to-day. Hence, as I have already said — but one cannot repeat it too often — his desire to approach France. It is not rash to declare that if the alliance were intended to achieve such a result, it would become unpopular more quickly than it became popular. I can still understand that one might talk of reconciliation with Germany and of an alliance with her if, in an access of generosity, William II. were to give us back the two provinces which have been taken from us by force, and which are still attached to France. But the Emperor William, in the declarations made in the interview which I quoted above, has very judici- ously remarked that, if he would, he could not renounce the heritage he has accepted. To those who have lived any time in Germany — and this is my case — it is absolutely certain that the German people would not permit him to abandon what his grandfather conquered. The victories of 1870 have left, deeply rooted in the masses, sentiments which are rocked as it were to the tune of the recital of our defeats and the glories of Germany. Quite lately, just after the celebration of the alliance, when the Tsar and the President of the Republic had spoken of a peace based on right and equity, W^illiam, in a speech of August 31st, at a State dinner, in the William the Second^s Schemes. — The Future 3 5 1 presence of the heir to the Duchy of Biiden, uttered these words : — " To-day's review does honour to the commander of the 8th Corps. It depends on us to preserve in its integrity the work of the great Emperor and to defend it against all foreign claims and influence. I hope that every general, in all that concerns him, will endeavour to attain this end." Here is a new and decisive answer, I think, to those who still delude themselves and believe in the possibility of a great dramatic scene, when William II. will re-enter Paris and restore to us the keys of Strasbourg and of Metz. As to making war on England with the help of Germany and Russia, I will not believe in it, and I am convinced that public opinion would rise against the Government if any minister whatever really proposed to drag us into such an enterprise. To begin with, we have not a sufficient navy to attempt such a design. Napoleon I. also wished to annihilate England. Where that great captain, whose genius was transcendent, failed, could we think to succeed ^ I shall be told that the means of attack are more formidable than they used to be. This is true, but neither can it be denied, that English power is sensibly greater than it was at the beginning of the century. 352 William IL at Home On the occasion of the last Jubilee of Queen Victoria, England exhibited her naval strength in the waters of Portsmouth. This exhibition should have given, to those persons who, like M. Ernest Judet, have usually such a true and judicious sense of French interests in the world, something to think about. Again, those merchants and men of business who welcomed M. Felix Faure on his triumphal return from Russia, will not forget at the opportune moment that England is our principal customer in the com- mercial market. A young controversialist of some talent and exceptional vigour, M. Urbain Gohier, wrote in the Soleil not long ago, denouncing the folly that it would be to enter into a struggle with England. " France does thirty-two per cent, of her total com- mercial transactions with England. I have not mentioned that the exchange with England brings France in annually six hundred million francs, as this calculation has been contested ; but the half- yearly custom-house returns (an article appeared in the Soleil on August 15th) shows that during the first six months of 1897 the English sold us 251 miUions worth of their products and bought 590 millions worth of ours. The difference to our profit in six months is thus 339 millions, or 678 millions a year." To enter into a struggle with England would be to play into the hands of Germany from the point of view William the Second's Schemes. — The Future 3 S3 of economics and commerce. For, from these two points of view, the nation which competes most severely with us is Germany, who threatens French and English interests alike. It therefore appears to be much more sensible to make advances to our neighbours across the Channel than to our conquerors of 1870. With them and with Russia — such men as thee Comte de Chaubordy and M. de Lanessan are strong advocates for this new Triple Alliance — the balance of the world would be definitely restored, and the hour of definite and happy solutions of her difficulties would have struck for France. Right and Equity would have a chance of being for ever respected. In that hour, which patriots should ardently pray for, the disarmament of nations — to-day still an Utopian scheme — might become a noble reality. In the meantime, after the celebration of the alliance, France has the right to be proud. A great step has been taken on the road to "lasting justice" if a peace for " Right and Equity " is really what is aimed at. To sum up: William II., who in certain circles has been persistently eulogised for political wisdom and all the qualities of a statesman, has up to the present seen his designs singularly frustrated. Since he disem- barrassed himself of Bismarck's tutelage, five principal facts have been produced. 23 354 William IL at Home 1. Germany has lost her place as a preponderant power in Europe. Russia has taken her place, 2. France has entered into an aUiance with Russia. 3. The Triple Alliance has almost ceased to exist. 4. England has been made hostile to Germany. 5. The links between Russia and Germany have been snapped and have not been re-united. The great]|English review, The Fortnightly, brought forward these five points in a clever study on *' The Foreign Policy of the Emperor of Germany " which appeared in one of its numbers. Let us only hope that William II. will not contrive to renew the relations of his country with Russia, and drag all the continental powers into a conflict with England ! Unless the Emperor of Germany succeeds in this master stroke, which would have its effect on France, the Prussian power and the German power will not be long before it succumbs before the Franco-Russian alliance, with the moral or effective support of" Greater Britain." Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. FOUR NEW VOLUMES OF Hutchinson's Select Novels. Each in crown Svo, handsome cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. GRIP. By B. L. Farjeon. " A work of extraordinar}- interest." — Nottiiighatn Guardian. " A decidedly remarkable novel.'" — Spectator. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. By Darley Dale. " A clever and entertaining novel." — Morning Post. "A novel of very high order, and sure to live." — Liverpool Mercury. TATTERLEY. By Tom Gallon, author of "A Prince of Mischance." "An idyll such as Dickens himself might not have been ashamed to conceive." — St. James's Gasette. " Exceedingly clever," — Punc/i. " We could not recommend a better stor}-." -Academy. A STUMBLE R IN WIDE SHOES. 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