The New German Emperor

The old saying, which translated into English runs, "the King is dead long live the King," received another illustration during the past week. Frederick III, the new Emperor of Germany, is a man past middle age and a man who has already made a record. He is greatly beloved by his people who have long called him "Unser Fritz". He was born October 18, 1831. He entered the army when ten years old, and was made a second lieutenant. The drill he went through was not a mere playing at arms. He had to shoulder his gun and go through the drill of a private soldier. He also learned the trade of a cabinet maker at which he became quite expert and took a number of lessons in bookbinding At the age of 27 he married Princess Victoria of England. His military record is one of which he may fee! proud. As commander of the second corps, he saved the day at the great battle of Konniggratz during the Austrian war and during the war with France in 1870 he was among the ablest leaders of the German armies. He was raised to the rank of field marshal, the highest in the German army. But he is rather a man of peace than a man of war. If his life is spared, it means a liberalizing of the German government The man who in 1863 expressed surprise and regret, in a public speech that Bismark had practically abolished the liberties of the press, is the very man, whom most of all, the Germans would desire to have as their ruler. 

Hjalmar Hjorth Boyeson in a recent magazine article describes a meeting in 1873 with Frederic III then the crown prince, in the course of which he says: 

I cannot recall the exact words he used; nor do I think that they were in themselves remarkable. No man talks brilliantly, even if he can, to a stranger whom he picks up at the wayside. But what I do remember vividly is the impression the Prince's personality made upon me. I can not imagine a finer combination of simplicity and dignity than was expressed in his manner. There was not the remotest suggestion of pretense or hauteur; nor the slightest desire to impress; but an unaffected amiability and sweetness of character shone through his face as he spoke, and imparted a winning cadence to the words which he uttered. A man who had been born heir presumptive to a throne, and perhaps the greatest throne in Europe who had commanded armies in two great wars, and already taken his place in history; a man who at the early age of forty-two had such achievements behind him and yet could preserve this noble simplicity in his speech and bearing was, indeed, a sufficiently remarkable phenomenon to be worthy of study. 

That this Prince is a rare avis among princes may as well at once be recognized. There is no other royal personage in Europe who is so universally beloved, and who deserves, in so complete a sense, the devotion of which he is the object The loyalty which the people of Germany cherish for "Unser Fritz' is not the mere vague, patriotic feeling, which, in some way, identifies the glory of the Fatherland with that of the House of Hohenzollern. The Royal House of Prussia is, indeed, all things considered, the most dignified monarchial family which now occupies a European throne. Though it has counted some rather unworthy members (and what family has not?), it has also produced some truly great kings, and its average of intellect and morality has been higher than that of any reigning house that I can recall. The Hohenzollerns have deserved well of Prussia and of Germany; and Prince Frederic William comes in for his full share of this family loyalty. But any one who has lived in Germany, will have discovered that quite apart from this, he is regarded with a closer and more personal kind of affection than even his illustrious father.