THE KAISER’S FAMILY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 711, 6 January 1903, Page 3

THE KAISER’S FAMILY.

BERLIN, November 18. : Germans, with their, intense natri-' otism, are immensely proud of the latest picture of Emperor William and his sons. It shows as fine a family of stalwart, manly young men as any father could wish for,and is a happy reminder to Germans ol the strength of the Hobonzollern dy-

“Stern rather” can he discreetly applied to Emperor William in ms family life. His children never lacked for fatherly love, however, nor shrank at harshness, but Emperor William believed in what Americans call a “ bringing up ” for his children This was widely at variance with the popular idea of the pampered life of little princes. It meant “ early to bed and early to rise, plain food, daily tasks, and all, the homely features of the childhood of untitled little folks. Persons familiar with photographs of Crown Prince William in sleeklooking uniform and medals would fail to recognise him, probably, in i sailor suit of blue, shiny at the knees and elbows, and the trousers containing an honest, home-made patch in the rear. A Court photographer saw the Prince, who will be Emperor William HI- of Germany if he out lives his father, in just such attue, and- no attempt was made by his ro yal mother to keep him in the backS Six d boys C and a girl compose the royal fami.yi They are gown Prince William, aged 20 , 1 nncc_ tel Frederick, 19 ; Prince Adalbert, io |. prince Augustus William, lu . Prince Oscar, 14; Prince Joachim, 12 • and Princess Victoria Louise, 11 “-It is'better that a woman should know how to bake a pancake than that she should be able to uiscuss constitutional qnesUons Lmp-ror William once said to a court u y emphasise the kind of woman his wife the Empress of Germany, is. The Emperor did not exaggera for the sake of illustration. The Empress can bake and sew and tend babies, and her reputation as a house wife is maintained by six hearty voune men and a charming uttle princess who revere her. They were all reared along the same lines, and those lines were never relaxed. Ilaiu. and fast rules, in keeping with common sense, were laid down foL them. The children were called at b o - Hook every morning, summer and winter They had “ first breakfast with their mother at 7.30, consisting of bread and butter and tea. Half-an-liour later, the younger princes had studied their lessons together and the older boys alone American mothers might Hunk the lessons imposed rather severe. Among other things, the princes were thoroughly instructed in foreign languages, especially French. A second breakfast was served at 930 From then until 1.15, more lessons, drill, and military exercises took up all the time. A short period for recreation and amusement was allowed before science and music lessons were begun, and continued until 6 o’clock, when supper was served I'hea came a final hour of recrea>

' tion, and the younger children were put to bed at 7.30, the “ big boys 2Lt 9. Prince William plays the violin well and owns a valuable “ Strati.," said to have once belonged to Queen Louise. Prince Eitel plays the piano. All the princes ride horseback. An hour every day was devoted to riding, and Emperor William hirnself superintended these lessons. The children were put on ponies at an early age, taught to get on a. horse bareback, unsaddle their mounts, and rub them down. “My boys must lie soldiers like their ancestors,” Emperor William said when the princes were young ; so the Crown Prince was made a soldier when he became 10. He is now a lieutenant of the First Foot Guards and of the Landwehr and other infantry regiments. Prince Eitel also belongs to several regiments. Prince Adalbert is the sailor of the family. He was placed on the roll of the marines as a sub-lieutenant when six years old, aad has served as any. other sailor on a training-ship. The oilier princes are lieutenants in the

Foot Guards. Princess Victoria Louise has teen trained to be as womanly as her brothers were taught to be manly. It is said that one of her Christmas presents not many years ago was a complete outfit for washing and ironing. All the tenderness in Emperor William’s nature is extended to the one little girl of all his children. His favorite photographs are those taken With the princess on his knee. Although not over strong as children, the German princes have been so reared as to promote health and ruggedness. Their latest picture shows every, one of them apparently, robust.