THE SMALLEST SOLDIER IN THE GERMAN ARMY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue VII, 17 February 1894, Page 167

THE SMALLEST SOLDIER IN THE GERMAN ARMY.

A few years ago a little girl named Mabel went with her mother and sisters to spend the day at Sans Sonci, the old palace of Frederick the Great, at Potsdam, Germany. F On one side of her rose the Alte Schloss, which Frederick had abandoned for his one storied pagodalike little palace of Sans Sonci. Mabel ascended the long flights of steps in the terrace leading up to the latter palace. Marble statues rose at every turning of these large stone stairs. Grapes were ripening against the walls of the terraces, just as they had done in the time of Frederick. A great arm chair particularly interested Mabel, and at it she gazed long and reverently, for in her eyes it was a sacred thing. In this same arm-chair another Frederick, more beloved than bis great namesake, and called by his loving subjects ‘Unser Fritz’ (Our Fritz), had sat in his last illness. At last they came to Voltaire’s room, richly decorated by Frederick for his favourite. It must have been in this very room that Voltaire made the remark for which Frederick never forgave him. • He has given me his dirty linen to wash,’ said Voltaire, when a friend found him correcting some of Frederick’s manuscript. On leaving the palace a long circuitous walk led them to the New Palace, now occupied by Emperor William. As they were walking along a road leading through the park, they saw that a wire had been tied across the way which was their direct approach to the palace. Not liking to turn back or to go out of their course, they stood there debating what to do. As they were talking they saw a woman come down the drive, pushing before her a baby carriage in which sat a child of two years dressed in white, and on his head a hat with a long white ostrich feather. One of Mabel’s sisters asked, in her best German, ‘ Will vou tell us the way to the New Palace ?’ The woman answered in English : ‘You cannot come this way. These are the private grounds. If you will walk over to that guard who is stationed yonder he will direct you.’ They were just turning away, when Lucy said, ‘ Pardon me, but will you teil me who that baby is !’ • Certainly,’ said the nurse. ‘lt is Prince Oscar.’ • Who ?’ said Mabel. ‘ Prince Oscar, Emperor William’s youngest son,’ repeated the nurse. At this they all crowded nearer in wonderment. The nurse pushed the carriage a little further off, as if in terror, and said, hurriedly, * I am forbidden to speak to anyone, and am in great danger if they should see me talking to you.’ Then she added, * But it is a great privilege to speak to some one.’ All the time that the nurse had been talking, Mabel’s eyes had been fastened on the royal infant, who looked at her in wonderment and delight. But the governess was growing nervous, so they bade good bye to the frightened woman, and waved their hands and called ‘ Day ! day I’ to Prince Oscar. He responded by waving his little hand, and calling in a loud high-pitched baby voice, ‘ Dah I dah !’ Turning down a side path, they saw the sentinel whom the nurse had mentioned. A broad drive led past him to the palace. While they were waiting the guard said : *Do you want to see the little princes ’ There they are, playing,’ pointing to a group of children in the distance. Mabel looked and saw five children. The three older ones were playing with a velocipede, one riding and the other two running after him. They wore dark blue suits. The fourth prince was dressed like Prince Oscar, and walked by his nurse, holding her hand. Little Prince Oscar was in his coach. Mabel watched them as they walked up to the palace and lingered on the porch to have a last look at them. But they were too far off to satisfy her desire to see their faces. Nearly four years have elapsed since Mabel was favoured with this glimpse of royal children at play, and already life has come to have a serious aspect for at least one of these little princes. William, the eldest, will, if he survives his father, some day be the German Emperor, and the education of an Emperor is a serious business. The ordinary boy would find little to envy in the strict discipline and dull daily routine to which this future monarch is now subjected. Every day in summer as well as winter the princes rise at seven o’clock, and take breakfast — consisting of tea and rolls—three-quarters of an hour later. Never more than fifteen minutes are allowed for this meal. Punctually at eight o’clock lessons begin. The princes are generally instructed separately, but in some branches the two older brothers are together. Crown-Prince William is very diligent, and far ahead of the others in most of his studies. At 9.45 a lunch is served of sandwiches, red wine, and ‘ Fiirstenbrunner ’ mineral water —now generally used at the Emperor's table. After lunch, studies are resumed for a short time, followed by riding lessons. If the weather permits, these are taken in the open air ; otherwise a manage, erected expressly for the purpose, serves for their

equestrian exercises. The little Crown Prince now rides his white horse * Abdul,’ a birthday gift from his father. Sometimes a drive in a pony carriage takes the place of the ride. This vehicle is drawn by a white pony, whose harness is hung with silver bells. The princes dine with Major von Falkenhayn or their tutor, Herr Kessler, at a quarter past one. Soup, fish, a roast, potatoes and other vegetables, dessert, cheese, and fruit form the bill of fare. About half-past two o’clock the boys go into the park to play. Generally on these occasions the Crown-Prince may be seen on a tricycle, which also was a birthday gift from his father. While the Emperor and Empress were at the ‘ Marble Palace,* at Potsdam, the princes walked or drove over there at four every day to see their parents and younger brothers, and returned home at six o’clock, after having taken some milk and rolls. Upon their arrival supper was served ;on alternate days warm and cold. Till eight the princes romp about; then they are bathed and go to bed. So one day passes like another. On Sunday morning there is service in the palace or the princes drive over to the garrison church It is the custom in the Hohenzollern family to make every royal Prince lieutenant on his tenth birthday, and at the same time he is decorated with the order of the Black Eagle. So on May 6th of last year the Ist Regiment of the Guards was drawn up in parade, and the Emperor, surrounded by members of the royal family and a brilliant suite of officers, presented his son to his regiment, and the little Prince was entered in the list of officers.