July 1, 1893. [8]
One day, on the occasion of a first performance of a play called
"Cadio," by George Sand, I was with a woman, my best friend, in the
wings of the theatre, Porte-Saint-Martin. I saw Melingue stamping on
the floor with his feet and jumping and twisting about, and upon my
asking him what was the meaning of these extraordinary antics, he
replied; "It is because, when I come upon the scene, I am supposed to
have galloped several miles on horseback and it would not do for me,
therefore, to present the appearance of a gentleman who has just come
out of a room or from the garden." I do not quite know why I should
have remembered this far-off incident on learning that the German
Emperor, King of Prussia, had come on horseback from Potsdam to open
the new Reichstag. As a comedian, William II does not follow the
methods of Melingue. He rides, in order to present a calmer appearance
at his entry upon the scene. Clad in the uniform of a Hussar, he read
the speech from the throne with an evangelical mildness. He was
playing the part of a soldier-clergyman. The soldier said--
"My august allies agree with my conviction that the Empire, in view of
the development of military institutions by other Powers, can no longer
delay to give to its armed forces such increase as shall guarantee the
security of its future."
The clergyman had upon his lips the honey of promises of concessions,
and he concluded with these words, added to the speech from the throne--
"And now, gentlemen, may the Lord grant His blessing to every one of
us, for the successful issue of a meritorious work in the interests of
our country.
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