Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-07
From Miches 80 History of the Austrian Government"
waIIenstein's EIagnifcence.


Walenstein's immense riches, his profound reserve
and theatrical manners the principal means he
poyed to exa the imagination OF the masses. He al
ways appeared in public surrounded by extraordinary
pomp and allowed all those attached to his house to
share in his luxury. His officers lived sumptuouslY at
his table where never less than one hundred dishes were
served. As he rewarded with excessive Gberaity, not
only the mutu but the greatest persOnages daz
Zled by this Asiatic spendor Six gates gave entrance
to his palace at Prague to make room for which be bad
pulled down one hundred houses. Similar chateaux
erected by his orders all his estates.
Twenty-four chamberlains, sprung from the most
noble families, disputed the honor of serving him. and
sent back the golden key emblem of their grade,
to the Emperor, in order that they might wait Wal
ensten. He educated sixty pages dressed in blue vel
vet and gold to whom he gave the first masters fifty
trabants guarded his antechamber night and day; six
barOns and the same number OF chevaiers were con-
stanty within call to bear bis orders His maitre dho
tel was person of distinction. thousand persons
usually formed bis household, and above thousand
horses filled bis stables where they fed from marble man.
gers When he set on his travels hundred carriages
drawn by four six horses conveyed his servants and
baggage sixty carriages and fifty lead horses carried
the people of his suite ten trumpeters with silver bu-
giles preceded the procession ihe richness Of his live
es the pOmp of his equpages, and the decoration of
his apartments were in harmony with all the rest. In
hall Of his palace at Prague be had himself painted
triumphant car, with wreath of laurels round his
head and star above him.
Wallenstein appearance enough in itself to in
spe fear and respect His tall thin figure his naughty
attitude the stern expression of his pale face his wide
forehead. that seemed formed to command, his black
hair close shorn and harsh his little dark eyes, in which
the fame of authority shOne his naughty and suspicious
look bis thick m0ustaches and tufed beard produced
at the first glance startling sensation. His usual
dress consisted of uSaucarps of elk skim covered by
white doublet and cloak round his neck he wore
Spanish ruff in his hat futtered large red plume
while scarlet panaO0ns and boots of Cordovan leather
carefully padded account of the gOut completed bis
ordinary attire.
While his army devoted itself to pleasure, the deep
est silence regned around the General He could not
endure the rumbng Of carts loud conversation or even
simple sounds. One of bis chamberains was hanged
for waking him without orders, and officer secretly
put to death because his spurs he'd canked when be
came to the general. His servants glided about the
room like phantoms, aud dozen patrols necessarily
moved round bis tent palace to maintain perpetua
tranquility Chairs also stretched the streets
In order to guard him against any sound Wallensteln
absorbed in himself ever engaged with his plans
and designs. He seen to SMILE and his pride
rendered him inaccessible to sensua pleasures His only
fanaticsm ambition. This strange chief medtateC
and acted necessarily, only taking counsel Of himself
and discaimng strange advice and Inspirations
When he gave any orders explanations, he cOult
not bear to be looked at curousy when he crossed h
camp the soldiers were obliged to pretend they did no
see him. Yet they suffered from involuntary shGdde
when they saw him pass like supernatural being
There was something about him mysterious, solemn
awe-inspring. He walked along, surrounded by thi
magic influence like saddening halo His troops frml
believed that he in communion with the spirit o
darkness that the stars had secrets from HIM, tha
the growing of cocks the barking Of dogs reache
bis ear that bullets, sabres and lanCes could not U0un
bm for be possessed taSman that rendered him "a at
ter OF Fortune They followed him as personifcatio
of Fate. Though champion at Rome against the j.
innovators the gloomy captain only put faith in II
f tho init
accompanied on bis travels by the mathematician an
astronomer, Verdungas, who taught him to read ii
stars. He also resided for some time at Padua, in 0
der to learn from another professor The rooms of
palace at Prague were covered with emblems of divin
tion and alIegorical figures. His ambition led him
the sire of penetrating the secrets of the future
the Italian astrologer, Semi, lived beneath his ro
and the visionary couple frequently passed the night
chemical studies. Never did Waesten set ont on
new enterprise till be had consulted the luminous P
thonesses of the armament, Tor these dumb c0unstlo
We're to him Bible and Gospel peasant would n
have behaved in different way.