The Last Days of the Emperor.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1915, 27 April 1888, Page 2

The Last Days of the Emperor.

The English papers received by the Alameda, which brought on the Suez Mail from Sydney, contain long accounts of the death of Kaiser William. The following extracts will be found of interest : — Up to bis last hours the Emperor William conversed freely, and even frequently tried to express himself j'ocoselj, as of old. When, for example, he was asked if a glass of champagne was to hia liking, he replied, " Well, yea, but there hare been times when it has tasted better." On Thursday he spoke of the general political situation, and said impressingly to Prince William, "If anyone were treacherously to attack us, I should unhesitatingly draw tbe sword with tbe Emperor Francis Joseph, and fight to the last." HIS DYING ADVICE. A profound impression has been caused by tbe Emperor's dying advice, to Prince William, which was as follows : — " Do not provoke war,., but doin.pt, shun .ope if just. Hold fast' to the 'alliance with Austria, and confide in her, for in this alliance is a stronghold of peace. Treat the Emperor of Busßia with consideration, for you know his character." DEAD. When the Emperor, uttering a gentle sigh, had yielded up his spirit, the illustrious mourners around the simple camp bed knelt down and kissed bis folded hands. In tbe course of the forenoon, Professor Reinshold began the cast of tbe Emperor's head, while Anton You Werner, tbe historical painter, made a color sketch of his features, of which a photograph was also taken. At this time the Emperor was lying in the position in which he died, resting, half upright, upon the white pillow, in a white nightdress, beneath which silk clothing of a dark red color could be detected. A SKETCH OF THE DEATH CHAMBER. His Majesty (says the Telegraph correspondent) lay on a small iron bedstead tipped with brass, in a semirecumbent posture, the head being bent forward on the breast, and turned toward a bust of his mother, Queen Louise. His face was calm in death ; one could trace the old familiar features; but I could fully realise the significance of an observation which the Grand Duchess of Baden made when she said, " I found him dreadfully changed." The chamber was simplicity itself. The bedstead stood in a niche, separated from the rest of the room by a green curtin. Over the bed hung a crucifix ; a few garlands and ribbons, presents from festivities gone by, are hanging about. Here are two or three plain wardrobes with busts in plaster of Paris standing upon them ; a lookingglass is placed near the window, and sundry pictnrer hung on the wall. There you have tho furniture of the modest apartment of the deceased German Emperor. EMBALMING THE BODY. On Saturday evening the body of the Emperor was embalmed, after it had undergone, says a creditable authority, a post mortem, examination at the hands of Drs. yon Lauer, Leuthold, Tielmann, and Professor Hartmann. This autopsy, which lasted an hour and a-half, resulted in the discovery of what had been so long the plague of tbe deceased Emperor — a stone about the size of a pigeon's egg, which was sawn in two, one half being taken by Dr. yon Lauer, and the other by Dr. Leuthold. Afterwards Prince Bismarch, among others, came to tbe chamber of death, and stood taking a last long look at the monarch whom he had lovingly served for so many eventful years. What the Iron Chancellor thought during these moments of rnournful contemplation may be perhaps imagined by others, bat could scarcely be expressed by the Kaisermaker himself. THE IRON CHANCELLOR IN TEARS. A very touching incident is reported to have taken place between Frederick, Emperer, and Prince Bismarck on Sunday at Leipsig, where the Minister went to meet the new Emperor. The Emperor was on the point of speaking, but, suddenly remembering, be took a pencil and paper, and began to write. As Prince Bismarck looked on his muscles slowly contracted, and ere the Emperor had written many moments tears were rolling down tho Chancellor's cheeks. The Iron Chancellor in teers ! THE EMPRESS VICTORIA'S PRAYERS. The following, according to Piccadilly, was the Empress Victoria's prayer over the Kaiser's coffin :—": — " O, father, pray to God, near to Whom you are, to give your son the strength necessary to enable him to fulfil his duty." THE QUEEN AND THE NEWS. " Although," says Piccadilly, " the Queen had long been prepared- for, the worst, the telegram bringing the- news of the Emperor William's death bad hardly been read ere Her Majesty burst into tears, and gave way to uncontrollable emotion."