QUEEN LOUISE of Prussia

Life Stories for Young People

LOUISE
QUEEN OF PRUSSIA

Translated from the German of
Heinrich Merz

BY
GEORGE P. UPTON
Translator of “Memories,” “Immensee,” etc.

WITH THREE ILLUSTRATIONS

CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1909

Copyright
A. C. McClurg & Co.
1909
Published August 21, 1909

THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.

Translator’s Preface

There have been greater queens in history,—Elizabethof England, Catherineof Russia, Maria Theresa of Austria, andothers,—greater in diplomacy and statecraftand power, but none purer, nobler, or lovelierthan Louise, Queen of Prussia, whose pathetic lifeis narrated in this volume. No queen has sufferedmore from the calamities inflicted upon her family,from the personal insults of a victorious enemy, andfrom the misfortunes which visited her country; andno queen has been more deeply beloved. Thebrutal attempt made by Napoleon to destroy herreputation is one of the most disgraceful events inhis career. The insult was avenged sixty-five yearslater, when her second son, William the Third,vanquished Napoleon’s nephew, entered Paris intriumph, and was crowned Emperor of UnitedGermany at Versailles. She will ever remain inhistory the ideal of a noble, beautiful woman ofrefined character, lofty patriotism, charitable nature,and exemplary goodness. The story of her sufferingsand of the patience with which she enduredthem; of her love for her husband and childrenand country, which never wavered, as told in thislittle volume, must commend her to all who admirepurity, beauty, truth, and love.

G. P. U.

Chicago, July 1, 1909.

Contents

Chapter Page

I Louise’s Youth 11

II Louise as Crown-princess of Prussia 24

III Louise as Queen 40

IV Louise in Misfortune 51

V Louise and Napoleon 86

VI Louise’s Probation 98

VII ...