National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-15
THE KING OF BAVARIA.


Bavaria has an oddly for q king, who
spends most Of his time In secluslon at one Of
his palaces In the mountains. He Is the
grandson Of the old King Of Bavaria, who, 1t
will be remembered, ran crazy after the dan
seusc Lola Montcz, took her into his palace,
allowed her to control the destinies Of the
country, and finally made her Countess Of
Landsfclt The people stood II until for
bearance ceased to he virtue, and then
drove her out OF the country. The present
King Ludwig assembled the throne when ho
was only sixteen years OF age, and Is now
about twenty -four, and II all the stories about
him arc true, no IL as queer specimen oil
royalty as existed during tho present gem
GRAFTON. He Is still single, and has the repu-
tation Of being scrupulously virtuous, having
q dislike for the whole female eek. He docs
not allow any one to sec him when he can
help IL; and though he seeks amusements Of
various kinds, cndcavors to enjoy them In
solitude, expressing anger and dissatisfac-
tion II anybody intrudes upon him.
The only man who ever had any influence
over him was Wagner tho great musical COM
poser, who at one time so completely cou-
trolled oil his actions that he was compelled
10 leave. His engagement to marry Q
princess Is said to have been suddenly broken
of because she persisted In refusing to OK
press admiration for Wagners music. Among
his freaks was the construction of lake on
the top Of his palace, In which he sailed
about In boat for recreation. A few years
since he took notion that he wanted to see
q representation OF an eruption OF Mount
Nesuyius, aud Immediately ordered the court
pyrotcchnist TO proceed, regardless Of cost
to produce such spectacle on u mountain,
near his secluded palace. He complied with
Tho nf1af lint thu linn
satisfactory. The court pyrotechnlsta at Vienna
was then sent for, and no made extensive
preparations aud gave entire satisfaction, and
had an order for its repetition, the King ex-
pccting and thinking that he was and would
DO the only spectator. He, however, heard
that the villagers had assembled at the foot
OF the mountain, and had witnessed the spec
taclo also. On hearing this he counter
mandcd the order for Its repetition, sent the
pyrOtechnist home, and ordering the burgo-
master Of the village before him, severely
rated him for allowing the people to approach
the mountain. During the reign Of Wagner
he ordered a new opera he had written 10 be
produced at the opera house, regardless Of
expense, aud on the night Of Its production
took q seat In tho royal box, ordered the
doors closed and locked, and the performance
TO proceed, with only himself rs the audience
King Ludwig lie, however, harmless in his
vagarics, aud as the country Is prosperous,
n
man, the people rather laugh than frovn at
his peculiaritlcs. Although protesting to be
q Catholic, he utterly refuses to Join In the
Corpus Christi and other Church celebrations
and proccssiops, as his predecessors have done
for hundreds of years. aud 1, now done by
the Emperor Of Austria. He, however, took
the lead for German unity, proclaimed war
against France before Prussia took decided
action, and has a stropp hold on the heart, of
the people. He Ia regarded by some as o
misanthropc, and by others as somewhat Of
an imbcclle, but as bavaria Is now thoroughly
under the control and protection Of Prussia,
Il matters little who or what the king may be,
The Bayarian army ia by treaty under the
command OF the X siser William during times
Of war, and In peace II Is the playtfing Of
the king,
King Lewis. the father of the present King,
who died in IS6s, was a most exemplary mon,
arch, and much beloved by hls peuple. and il
Ia the love they bore him which makes them
patient with the follics of his son, The latter
came 10 the throne before he had completed
his education, and was at first nero wilifui,