THE KAISER'S GIFT TO THE CZAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 10

THE KAISER'S GIFT TO THE CZAR.

THE GERMAN EMPEROR AS A RCIIANGEL MICHAEL. The North German Gazette publishes a full hi count of the allegorical picture lately designed by the Emperor William for pn sentation to the Emperor Nicholas of Rusai.-i ; ;md the correspondent of the Mornjug Post adds to the gaiety of nations by quoting the article copiously. The picture was executed by Profe-sor Knackfuss, of Cassel, m accordance with directions given by the Emperor to the painter during his Majesty's autumn sojourn at Wilhulmshohe, and was sent the Russian Emperor by a special mission entrusted to Major von Moltke, Imperial aide de-camp. It has now been reproduced for sale in the form of a photogravure by Professor Rose with the Emperor's approval, and the North German Gazette says that "■the widest circles of the. population should make a point of purchasing and circulating it. For every house and for every room it will be a significant and noble ornament." The object of the Imperial designer, who has already more than once lent his pencil to the furtherance of works of charity, such as the relief of sufferers from earthquakes in Italy, at the bazaar for whose behoof the Emperor's picture ef a torpedo-boat fight was lately exposed for sale, was in this case political.

A a the North German Gazette says : "He felt constrained to utter a cry of warning to the civilised peoples of Europe—a cry so clear and impressive that even the most casual observer, the simplest spectator, cannot miss its meaning." Coder the design for the picture the Emperor wrote, " Nations of Europe, defend your holiest possessions." The description of the wcrk is given verbatim fr. m the North German Gazette :—" On a plateau of rock bathed in light radiating from the Cross—that symbol in which alone Christians win their victories—stand allegorical figures of J the civilised nations. In the foreground ! is France shading her eyes with her left hand. She cannot yet Utogether believe in the proximity of danger; hut Germany, armed with shield and sword, follows with attentive eye the approach of calamity. Russia, a beautiful woman with a wealth of hair, leans her arm, as if in close friendship, on the shoulder of her martial companion. Beside this group Austria stands in resolute pose. She extends her right hand in an attitude of invitation, as it to win the co operation of still somewhat reluctant England in the common task. Italy stands between these two Powers, and, like Germany, eagerly gazes on the calamity v hich menaces them. The rear-guard of this group of noble female figures is formed by two young girls with ringlets of curling hair. They image the smaller civiliped States. They, too, carry spears. In front of this martial group of many figures stands unmailed the winged archangel Michael, holding in his right hand a flaming sword. His countenance ia turned towards the female group, his features reflect grave energy, and his outstretched left hand, which points to the approaching horror, also emphasises the invitation to prepare for the sacred conflict At the foot of the rocky plateau stands the vast plain of civilised Europe. A majestic stream gushes across it. Lines of mountains bound the horizon, and in the valley cities are discerned in the midst of which tower churches of various creeds. In the foreground is the Castle of Hohenzollern. But over these peaceful landscapes clouds of calamity are rolling up. Dark pitchy vapours obscure the sky. The path trodden by Asiatic hordes in their onward career is marked by a sea of flames proceeding from a burning city. Dense clouds of smoke twisting into the form of hellish, distorted faces ascend from the conflagration. The threatening danger in the form of Budda is enthroned in this sombre framework. A Chinese dragon, which at the same time represents the demon of Destruction, carries this heathen idol. In an awful onset the powers of darkness draw nearer to the banks of the protecting stream. Only a little while, and that stream is no longer a barrier."

The critic of the North German Gazette concludes :—" The whole picture urgently appeals to the spectator, telling him that it i 3 the duty of every thinking man to combat such a horrible danger which menaces all religion, civilisation, morality, and well being with all his energy and with every weapon at his command. Only then can peace abroad as well as at home be preserved."

I have given—concludes the Morning Post correspondent, with.befitting gravity —a close translation of the words of the critic of the North German Gazette. But were it not that the Gazette has claims lo be semi official one feel inclined to interpret the Imperial allegory conveyed by what in some respects will be admitted to be a most marvellous production of the nineteenth century, as referring not to Chinese hordes, or to the benevolent Budda, but to the dangers of Social Democracy. Those who purchase the picture, which costs six shillings on white paper and nine shillings on Chinese paper, will doubtless take their choice of interpretations, and it is co be hoped that they will derive equal edification from either.