LIFE IN GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1298, 29 November 1911, Page 4

LIFE IN GERMANY.

"The sensational trial which has just ended in the condemnation of Count Gisbert Wolfi'-Metternich to nine months' imprisonment for fraud and for obtaining money by -false- pretences, has brought much lo light which calls for serious reprehension on the part of the newspapers," says tho "Post's" Berlin correspondent. "The accused man himself was a no'er-do-weel who, when all else failed, sought to enrich himself by selling his namo to an heiress, and thus bringing an honoured line into disrepute. He considered that the prospect of obtaining a rich wife justified him in obtaining dress clothes, jewellery, automobiles, etc., on credit, nnd the ease with which ho obtained tiuch credit led him to engage in transactions which brought him into conflict with the law. Witnesses for the defence sworo that three out of every four 'cavaliers'—that, is, sons of aristocratic families living iu Berlin-did as ho had done. "What is particularly galling to many Germans is tho revelation of the' factihat officers in the Prussian Guard Regiments have condescended to act as table decorations in the houses of Jews who have becomo enormously, wealthy through means that will sometimes not bear inspection. "As the "Tageblatt" points out, no Jew is permitted to become an officer in the Prussian Army, but Prussian officers accept profuse hospitality in houses where they hope lo marry a daughter of millions, dance attendance on the ladies of ihc house, anil borrow money from the roung ladies' parents. It was stated iu the trial that tho commanders of regiments had finally to warn subalterns against visiting such houses. . "All this has mario a very great impression on the German people. The Emperor has from time to time issued rescripts urging otlicers to avoid luxury, nwl reminding them what their fathers accomplished while living a simple Me, and others will now undoubtedly iollow. "The 'Deutsche Tages Zeitung says, at tho conclusion of its article: 'This trial exhorts us with a thousand voices to take thought for our old genuine nobility, for our incomparable intellectual culture, and for the physical and mental healthiness of Ihe' people.'" Messrs. Baldwin and Rayward, patent attorneys, of 215-216 Lambton Quay, Wellington, report, that, the following applications for letters patent, of New Zealand have been filed during Iho week ending November'27:-S. Williams. San Iranore separation; M. J. Morven. potato digger; J.,C. Barnes, London fan and blower: b. and \Y. J - Graham, Weudon. vehicle spring pressure equaliser; W. E. Shoobndge, Bushy Park, Tasmania, hops, etc., drying; < . D. Pike, Wellington, kneeling pad: J. C-. Anderson mul others, Diincrlin, petrol gas appajatus* H Koss, Duncdm, metal skylight frame: A. H. Wright, Auckland, •stamp-recording machine; J. Tail, Dunedin, boiler water circulator. The arguments of "race-suicide" agitators are challenged by M. nnd Jlme. Lembolev. of Saint-Borthelemy (Haute-Saone), who' have a family of sixteen children, seven of whom havo been born during Urn nast three and a half years. The conplo were blessed with twins in March. 1003, and Mnv. IMS. and in October, Wit, with triplets.' 'wo girls nnd a boy. The mother is flnrtv-sereii years of age, and her husband is a miner. Last year M. and Mine. Leuibole.v became granJpnrenls. Gunner Samuel Parsons, who, although nearlv eighty-seven years of age, is still'on tho active list of the Army, recently celebrated his fifty-second year as the royal gunner at Windsor Castle. He is still hale and hearty, and daily hauls up the fin" and pulls if down at sunsel. He says he.°cnn seo objects twenty miles away. The veteran attributes his long life lo moderation and the health-giving breezes which sweep over the hill on which the castle sta.Ti.da.