The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-04-02 00:00:00

A DEMENTED ROYAL DUCHESS.

The Times' Vienna correspondent regrets to
announce that her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Cumberland, who has for some time been showing
symptoms of mental derangement, had to be removed
the other afternoon to Professor LeideEoorf's private
.asylum at Ober DObling, near Vienna. This step
was taken by the advice of the duchess's ordinary
medical attendant, Professor Braun, who certified
that his patient could no longer be safely kept at her
residence in Penzing. A van-load of furniture for
the duchess's use has arrived at the asylum.
Thyra Amelia, Duchess of Cumberland, who was
'born in 1853, is the daughter of King Christian IX.
of Denmark, ftnd sister of the Empress of Russia,
the Princess of Wales, and King George of Greece.
She was married to the Duke of Cumberland in
December, 1878, and has issue two sons and three
daughters.

The news of the Duchess of Cumberland having
been placed under Professor Leidersdorf's care was
published in -Vienna the other day, and since then a
great many details about the afflicted lady's illness
have appeared in print. The duchess, says a corres-
pondent of the Times, suffered considerably from over-
doses of salicine, administered to relieve rheumatic .
pains. She also suffered from anxmia, and these i
combined causes, producing profound nervous de-
pression and sleeplessness, ended by occasioning a
sort of delirium. According to the Tagblatt, the
duchess in her snatches of sleep had horrible dreams.
Recently she dreamt that her youngest child, Prince
Christian, was lying ill of the same disease which
lately carried off a young Prince of Wartemberg. She
started from her bed, rushing crying to the room of
one of her ladies, and could not be calmed. A few
hours later Dr. Braun advised her removal to Pro-
fessor Leidersdorrs house. The duchess herself, how-
ever, did not know where she was going, and it ap-
pears that at this moment she still believes that she
is residing at large in a village. The duke is not
allowed to see her, but telegrams giving bulletins of
the patient's health are sent twice a day from
Dobiing to Penzing.
The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland dined at
the British Embassy in 'Vienna on the 10th of March,
and her Royal Highness was then in good spirits,
though she spoke of still feeling the effects of the
severe attack of rheumatic fever which she had had
in the winter. Later, Sir Augustus Paget met the
Duke of Cumberland at a party, and the duke then
said that the duchess's condition did not cause him
the least anxiety. He added that he saw no reason
for calling in special medical advice, as he had full ,
confidence in Dr. Braun. At that time the duke and
duchess had but lately removed to Penzing, near '
Vienna, from their habitual residence at Gr.liinden.
The duchess was always longing to retern to Den-
mark, and talked constantly of the scenes in which
her childhood had been spent, confessing her elf to be
quite home-sick. It was hoped that a few months'
residence in the neighbourhooa of Vienna would be a
welcome change to her after the comparative dulness
of Graiinden, and such it proved to be at first. A few
days, before the settling at Penzing, were spent by the
duke and ducheea.at the Imperial Hotel in 'Vienna,
and during that time the duchess, who is passionately
fond of music, attended. several musical parties and
appeared to he enjoying herself.