The owner of the yacht Ariane,' on which M. Waldeck-
Rousseau has recently been cruising in Norwegian waters, has published in the Figaro a lively account of their meeting with Kaiser Wilhelm in the Sorfjord. During his visit to the French yacht the Kaiser charmed every one by his simple, courteous ways, his fluent French, his abounding gaiety. He asked leave to inspect the yacht, and examined everything with the utmost interest,—looking at the engines, even questioning the cooks, praising the Breton sailors, and after- wards engaging in a long conversation " on a thousand things that concern the Navy, philosophy, social and foreign questions." On the same evening the Kaiser entertained the French party to dinner on board the Hohenzollern.' " Rhine and Bordeaux wines were drunk, and only French music was played,—Auber, Gounod, Bizet, Delibes." Dismissing Welt- politik, the Kaiser talked with Madame Waldeck-Rousseau throughout dinner about the theatre and Parisian fashions. Afterwards he showed his visitors his yacht, " astonishing M. Menier by his intimate knowledge of what French constructors have done for the development of pleasure yachts," and even allowed them to inspect the bureaux where four secre- taries were engaged in reading and sorting telegrams. Finally, when the ' Ariane ' sailed on the following day, the Kaiser shouted " Au revoir " and " Bon voyage " from the bridge.
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