Chapter I: Front Matter

_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,—Elizabeth of England, Catherine of Russia, Maria Theresa of Austria, and others,—greater in diplomacy and statecraft and power, but none purer, nobler, or lovelier than Louise, Queen of Prussia, whose pathetic life is narrated in this volume. No queen has suffered more from the calamities inflicted upon her family, from the personal insults of a victorious enemy, and from the misfortunes which visited her country; and no queen has been more deeply beloved. The brutal attempt made by Napoleon to destroy her reputation is one of the most disgraceful events in his career. The insult was avenged sixty-five years later, when her second son, William the Third, vanquished Napoleon’s nephew, entered Paris in triumph, and was crowned Emperor of United Germany at Versailles. She will ever remain in history the ideal of a noble, beautiful woman of refined character, lofty patriotism, charitable nature, and exemplary goodness. The story of her sufferings and of the patience with which she endured them; of her love for her husband and children and country, which never wavered, as told in this little volume, must commend her to all who admire purity, 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 Louise’s Death 113
Appendix 128

Illustrations

Queen Louise of Prussia _Frontispiece_
Queen Louise and her two sons 70
Napoleon Bonaparte 90

Louise
Queen of Prussia