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The sad news of the death of Emperor Frederick came day before yesterday from San Remo.  Every one had been expecting his death for months.  The Italians loved him, and mourn him as if he had been their own.  There is court mourning for three weeks.

MONZA, October 1, 1888.

My dear Aunt,—­You ought to have a map of Europe continually under your eyes, and little pins to stick in the places where we last were.  Space and distance are nothing to your “wandering jew(el)s.”  Going from Italy to Denmark and back again twice a year, we are obliged to traverse the whole of Europe, and, as “all roads lead to Rome,” we can choose the one we like best.

Wherever we go we are enigmas to our fellow-travelers, who can never decide what nation we belong to.  Johan talks Danish to me; we talk French to the governess, German to the valet, Italian to my maid, and English alternately.  I think we would have puzzled the builders of the tower of Babel at that confusing moment when they all burst forth in unknown tongues.

ROME, October 15, 1888.

My dear Aunt,—­We are having a series of entertainments in honor of the new Kaiser.  This is his first official visit since he has become Emperor.  He arrived here on the 11th at four o’clock.

We were invited by M. and Mme. Huffer to see the entree.  They being Germans, their decorations surpassed all others.  Carpets out of every window, flags flying, and the German coat of arms placed in every available spot on their beautiful palace in the Via Nazionale.  The King, accompanied by the Prince of Naples, followed by the Duke of Genoa, Duc d’Aosta, M. Crispi, Marquis Gravina, and Marquis Guiccioli, and other notabilities, drove to the station through a double line of troops on both sides of the street.

The usually dirty waiting-room in the station was hung with tapestries taken from the Quirinal and the splendid Louis XV. furniture taken from the beautiful Palace of Caserta.

The train which preceded the Emperor’s, decked out with garlands and flags, came in sight, the traditional red carpet was laid down, the final orders shouted, and the Imperial train appeared.  The soldiers presented arms, and the military bands struck up the German national hymn.  The King wore the uniform of a general.  He advanced to meet his Imperial guest.  They embraced and kissed each other on both cheeks, then they presented the princes and the different members of their suites.

The Emperor was in the red uniform of the Hussars and looked very young and handsome.

In the first berline (as they call the demi-gala blue landaus) were the Emperor and the King; in the second were the Prince of Naples and Prince Henry of Prussia (the Emperor’s brother); in the third the Duc d’Aosta and the Duke of Genoa; in the fourth, Count Herbert Bismarck and the German Ambassador (Count Solms).  The other carriages, of which there must have been ten, contained the military and civil members of both the sovereigns.