THE KAISER’S ANCESTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3985, 19 July 1915, Page 3

THE KAISER’S ANCESTRY.

DESCENT CLAIMED FROM KIND DAVID,

The old monarchy of Franco were wont to refer to themselves as cousins of the Almighty—“ Les cousins du bon Dien.” The Kaiser sometimes appears to regard himself as standing Tn n similar relationship to the Deity. He has a reason for this ,<>f -which few persons, perhaps, are aware. Everybody is familiar with his descriptions of himself as a “divine instrument.” It is not, however, eso generally known that his belief in the divine origin of his authority is, if not attributable to, -at least greatly strengthened by Iris firm conviction that lie is a descendant of David, the son of Jesse, and therefore belongs to the same tribe and the same family as Christ did on the human side. Among his most cherished possessions is a genealogical tree showing this descent. There is, it is true, a fly in the ointment. It is only through his mother and his grandmother that ho can Jay claim to the ancient pedigree, he covets. To connect him with, the “Sweet Singer of Israel” he has to proceed by way of British ancestors. Scotland and Ireland have to he laid under contribution in order to make good his claim. The story is long and involved; far too long and too involved to allow of full details being given here. The bare outlines must suffice

HISTORY AND TRADITION. As students of the Old .Testament know, the King of Judah at the time when Nebuchadnezzar captured and destroyed Jerusalem and carried off tho people to Babylon was Zodekiah, a younger son of Josiah, a descendant in the. direct line of Solomon and his father David, in tho Book of Jeremiah it. is narrated that Zedekiah’s eyes were put out, and that he was taken in chains to Babylon, where he was kept in prison till his death. Nebuchadnezzar, it is also stated, slew all the sons of Zodekiah. But there is no word of the king's daughters, and this gives an opening for the romantic legend on which- the Kaiser rests his claim.

The Prophet Jeremiah, then a very old man, succeeded it is stated, in preventing Zedekiah’s eldest daughter, the Princess Tophi, and one of her younger sisters from falling into the hands of tho enemy. The three made their escape, accompanied by a few servants,,and'carried away with them several of the most sacred relics of their ancient race, including the stone which formed Jacob’s pillow at Bethel, tho Ark of tho Covenant, and Aaron’s rod that budded. After Tirolonged journeyings by'land and sea. and many adventures, they reached Ireland at tho time when a young chief of Ulster named Eoehak! 11. had been elected ITeremorui or crowned horseman of all Ireland. Tophi, according to Irish legend, was •■‘the most beautiful princess upon whom the sun ever shone.” Eoeiiald fell violently in love with her, and, his passion being returned, she speedily became his wife. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Prophet, who also crowned the pair on Jacob's pillow—to be known henceforth as the Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny. This is the same stone which (says legend), after passing over to DumstafFnage, reached Scone, whence it was transferred to its present situation beneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. The Ark of the Covenant and Aaron’s rod were buried in the Hill of Tara, and there lire persons at the present day who believe they are still there. It is not many years since a few of these persons wanted to carry out excavations at Tara with a. view to unearthing the relics. KAISEII'S DEBT TO IRELAND. But to return to our muttons. From the marriage of the Princess Tophi to Eochaid came a long line of Irish Princes or chiefs, one of whom, Fergus MacEarg, crossed from Antrim to Scotland in the opening years of the sixth century (carrying with him the Stone of Destiny). Establishing himself in Dalriada, he became the leader of the Scots there. This Fergus is claimed as the ancestor of the Kings of Scotland.

Having skimmed thus lightly over the somewhat treacherous genealogical bog, the rest is easy. Everybody knows that Queen Victoria, as a descendant of James the Sixth, traced her lineage back through the Stewarts to their early predecessors on the Scottish Throne. And thus we reach the conclusion so gratifying to her grandson, the Kaiser, that he is descended from the Princess Tophi, daughter of King Zedekiali, of the Royal House of David. -

It is said that Queen Victoria’s alleged descent from the Royal House of Judah was first brought to her notice by the Prince Consort. About 50 years ago, an' Anglican clergyman, named Glover, a student of genealogy, wrote informing her Majesty that ho had discovered that she was descended in an unbroken line from King I>avkl. Very ''proud was he of his “discovery.” And correspondingly great were his astonishment and liis chagrin when he was told that her Majesty and Prince Albert, had known for years all that lie had stated. The Queen, however, sent for him to Windsor, and graciously showed him a royal family tree, at the root of which was the name of King David, with the name of Queen Victoria figuring near the top. The Kaiser obtained n copy of this tree many years ago.