AN UNHAPPY LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11771, 28 September 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN UNHAPPY LIFE.

The late Empress Frederick bad unquestionably one of the unhappiest of lives;' and the circumstance was due to the defects of laer qualities, as is the case with the rest of us poor mortals. With all respect for the dead be it said, hei- want of tact was extraordinary for so high-placed a personage. Naturally, on this side of the German Ocean, we have loyally -esolved to be blind to this unfortunate fact, to regard her as a typical Princess Royal of England, and to excuse all her shortcomings as the outcome of a fervent patriotism and a conviction ia the superiority of her native land over all other countries. The sentiment does us credit as a nation. But it cannot be gainsaid that the manner in which she-was wont to express or show her preference for things English, whether in the matter of politics, or clergymen, or religion, or doctors, or what not, had a most exasperating effect on the German mind, which, apart from the Prussian Grobian, is slow to take offence. Though actually firstly Crown Princess of Germany, and then Empress, she succeeded in effectually alienating every German--anyone who knows the country and the people will tell you the same— only from all affection for herself, but,. in consequence,: for the country whence she came.— Lance t . , ■ ; - ;' 7 ;'■..::■