The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-05-17
IFfons the ". y. Poa, Moy 10.
The Flight of uhe Duke Of Tuscany.

| IFsona the ". y. Post, Moy 10.
The Flight OF the Duke of Tuscany.
The first government overthrown by the
present European CONFUSION is, singularly
enough, one of the most liberal. Leopold
H., Grand Duke of Tuscany, has, we learn
by the latest European intelligence, brought
BIZ the Adelaide, fed from Florence.
J Leopold H., Grand Duke of Tuscany, is
the second son of the Grand Duke Ferdi-
nand H., and was born at Florence, on the
third of October, 1897. During his infancy
his family suffered political reverses, being
| driven out of their dominions by the French
Retiring to Germany his father caused the
young Leopold to be educated, first at Salz-
burg and afterwards at Wurzburg. In 1914,
on the fall of Napoleon, Florence was re-
stored to the Grand Duke, and Leopold re-
turned with his family to his native city
! In 1917 he married Saxon princess, and
! i'm 1924. on the death OF his father, succeed
ed to the ducal chair. During the troubles
/ of le48 he was again expelled but soon re-
turned To his capital, and on the 22d of
| June 1860, a Convention was signed by
which tea thousand Austrian troops should
occupy Tuscany and support the authority
| OF the sovereign.
| Frequent vicissitudes proved to Leopold
that direct tyranny would endanger his gov
ernment, but as scion of the house OF HaPs-
burg, and grandson of a German En-
peror, his feelings naturally inclined towards
imperial, rather than republican traditions.
| Indeed, whatever might have been his incli-
nations, the influence of Austria was so de-
| cided that he dared not be too liberal Yet,
| he has certainly done a great deal for the
moral and material improvement of Tus-
cany, than which no Italian country now
exhibits greater evidence of prosperity. IL
is chiefly to Leopold III. that the Tuscan
people owe their splendid roads, their sub
stantia' stone bridges, their new railways,
and many of their Institutions of education
The traveller is at once struck with the con-
trast between Tuscany and the Papal States
in regard to these internal Improvements.
AS patron of the Fine Arts, the Grand
Duke of TUSCANY also deserves mention by
his direction the invaluable art treasures of
Florence were freely thrown open to public
inspection, including the galleries of his own
palace. In religion he has exhibited consid-
crablc tolerance, as the Protestant communi-
ties of Pisa, Lcghorn, and the capital city,
4
his dominions, OF the Madai has preiudicel
against him many Protestant countries.
In person the Grand Duke is rather pre-
possessing. He is now sixty-two years of
aye, but looks much older. His hair is OF a
light gray color and he stoops slightly
while walking. His counienanee betrays
certain marks Of care and suffering, which
are attributed by many Of his people to do
mestic trials, a cherished relative being af-
fiicted with insanity. In manners he is az
fable and pleasant, and was accustomed To
ride out daily IN the Oascine; sometimes in
"a carriage, with the members of his family
and sometimes on horseback, his equipage
being only distinguished by the respect with
which the bystanders gaze upon ii, from
the more dashiug turnout of my Lord
Noodle, of England, the wealthy Mr.. Smith,
OF the United States, or the lesser lights of
the Florentine nobility.
In the more retired parts of the Cascine
the beautiful wooded park that lies upon
the banks of the Arno, but short distance
from TIE city-he was often fond of stroll
ing alone, and many strangers at Florence,
have passed him carelessly by without a
thought. Those who recognized him would
raise their hats, to which the Grand Duke
would respond by similar salute, there be-
ing no further formality or etiquette in this
than what would mutually pass between the
President and a citizen OF the United States
But with al these excellent qualities,
Leopold is not popular in Tuscany The
presence of the Austrian troops constantly
irritate the people, who do not think the
music they gratuitonsly afford to the public,
on the open space in front of the Ducal
Palace and in the Cascine, sufficient re-
ward for the unwelcome presence of the
'' T'edesch"
This, with other causes, has combined to
make Leopold ii unpopular He knew it,
and was prepared for any coming political
event. He has just returned from visit to
the dying King of Naples, when he heard
the rumble of the political earthquake, and
timid and nervous as he is, notwithstanding
his refined tastes and his benevolence. he
fed from Tuscany at the moment when she
is in danger.
In this fight, Leopold leaves the most
beautiful city of Continental Europe, and
the most luxurious home that any living
monarch has occupied. Windsor Castle is
graced with its battlements and towers-the
Palace of the Tuilleres is rich in treasure.
and gorgeous with everything wealth can
command-the Car resides ia Halls where
harbaric splendor is toned by modern art
Pious TX, looks from the windows of tho
Quirinal or the Vatican, upon the most
classic ground the earth knows-bnt none
Of these regal homes can equal in luxurious
! ,irHpht the PM Palace al TaSr,,,y Its