The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1888. "FRITZ LIEBER."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1789, 14 March 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1888. "FRITZ LIE BER."

How true are the words of Sbakespere (or of Bacon, as the case may be) that " One touch of nature makes the whole world kin," and there is nothing m all the story of the life and death of the grand old Kaiser, who has just passed away, crowned with years and honors, ■which will stir more deeply the sympathies of millions of all races m all parts of the globe than the last utterance of his lips " Fritz Leiber." In the full possession of his faculties, the grand old man, surrounded by his generals and officers of State, had during his last hour — mindful to the very end of the interests of the country he had served so well, of tho magnificent Empire which he may be said to have created — with all the ripe wisdom of nearly a century's experience, charged the young man upon whom for the moment it appeared that the vast issues and responsibilities of government must devolve as to the course ho should observe m tho present great crisis of European affairs. Then, having partaken of the last Sacrament — his mind at rest as to affairs of State and the still greater affairs of his own soul — m the last supreme moment, his thoughts appear to have dwelt upon tho noble son whoso own sickness almost ' unto death prevented from being beside him, and his last breath was spent m the utterance of the words of natural affection "Fritz; Liober" — Fritzs Boloyed. Tho pen of the historian will trace m glowing words the magnificent history of tho greatest man of tho century, but the glorious utory of his triumph will less endear his memory to his people than will the many proofs which his life afforded of tho kindliness of his heart and the amiability of his domestic character. For the Emperor William as a husband and a father was as fondly loved as he was idolised by his people, and many and touching are the glimpses that contemporary history affords of fc he affection with which he was regarded by those more closely connected with him. Here is a picture for example of the scone at the railway station, as described by tho correspondent of a London paper, on the occasion of hip triumphal return to

Berlin on March 17, 1871, alter humbling France to the dust. "At the sound of a shrill distant whistle, out of the waiting-room stalks Count Bismarck m fall war paint ; Wrangel doffs his plumed helmet ; a stream of ladies and children follow Bismarck's stalwart form; m three minutes more a near rumble, and the train bedizened with flags rolls

into the siding. Three carriages pass a flight of steps and the fourth comes into sight ; then rises a mighty cheer, and at the window stands the Emperor William framed as m a picture. The old man's face is working as the cheers ring m his ears. He is down the steps and kissing the Dowager Queen Elizabeth. What ! will the women of

his family mob him then, as they crowd round him for his kisses while grand children hang about his knees. No wonder that he has to brush his eyeß with the back of his hand as he struggles through the women folk before

him. Jn his path stands the white figure of Wrangel, the rays of the setting sun flashing on his snow-white hair. The soldier-patriarch raises his hand and would fain lead off a cheer, but his voice fails him and the tears roll down his face. His master not less moved kisses his servant on either cheek. The two old soldier comrades embrace ; then

ihe Emperor grasps Bismarck by the

hand and kisses him too. He serves Von JSteinmetz m the same manner, kisses his way right through out of sight into the waiting-room the Empress following him with a conscious look of ownership ; and so exit Kaiser William.

Behind him as he came from the carnage was a younger face, that of

his eldest son. The Princess had fast hold of his left arm, and looked about proudly and gladly, the light of love m every feature. Her back hair had come down, and it streamed over her shoulders m beautiful confusion. Von Boon, Blumenthal, all the well-known Versailles faces followed, and then the women burst into the reserved space, and hugged and kissed the staff men

who belonged to them, as they came out

of the carriages. The scene was like an April day — showers and sunshine, tears and smiles m about equal proportions. All state and ceremony went down before the gush of homely affection." The " eldest son " here spoken of is the " Fritz Lieber " named m the grand old Kaiser's dying breath, and anxiety about whom perhaps hastened his last hour. All the world will be glad to think that there is room to hope that the cause for that anxiety is passing away, and that the Emperor's " Beloved Fritz " may yet be spared to be the beloved of his people for many years as the Emperor Frederick 111.