The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-21
NUMBER 46.
A Forgotten Emperor.

He who passes through the upper streets
of Prague, the beautiful capital Of Bohemia,
about noontime on fine days, will be GER
tain to meet, In tho neighborhood of the
Hradschin, an old, slender man, dressed in
very ordinary suit of black, and walking
in painful, shuiflng manner, and leaning
every now and then on his cane to take
breath. Many of those whom no meets
stand still and look after the cid man
with curious air. The beggars run
toward him as soon IA they catch sight of
him, to whom he gives q few pieces of
silver.
No ono who looks Mt this singular figure,
who resembles more q subordinate govern
ment functionary on half pay, than one
that has moved in the upper spheres Of
society, will suspect for a moment that the
old man has once played u conspicuous
pnrt in the history of the world. And yet
he is not only prince "bhrn in the pur-
ple," hnt for many years wore ono of the
proudest crowns in the Old World.
This aged hdbituc of the promenade, near
the Hradschin of Prague, ia no other than
the ex-Emperor Ferdinand of Austria, who
ing that eventful period Us34 Is4s) when
their power was at the highest and at the
lowest ebh When he assembled the throne,
after the death of Francis III tho influence
of Austria, under the guidance Of the cum
ming Metternich, was paramount in Europe.
The policy OF Austria at that time toward
it's foreign provinces was pitiless. The
Italians, especially, were treated with re-
morseless cruelty. Poor Ferdinand, whose
mental faculties mover were the brightest,
was kept by his designing and imperious
chancellor in entire ignorance of the
atrocities which were committed in hiA
name. Metternich troubled the poor man
as little as possible with state affairs. He
allowed him to enjoy himself in his work.
shop as cabinet maker, where he probably
passed the happiest hours of his life. He
was always averse TO appearing IN public,
and his participating, in uniform, IN mill
tary reviews, was absolutely painful to
behold. Yet he was an ainlabic, kind
hearted man. Whenever u woman in dis
trrss, praying for some favor, succeeded in
penetrating to him, he not only immcdi-
ately granted her petition, but was moved
to tears by her ferveut gratitude. What
ever his expenses left him of his civil list
he spent in charities. When he drove out
in the Prater, his carriage was constantly
surrounded by clamorous beggars, and he
would not allow his attendants 10 drive
them away.
Had he been q Eterner man, he would
have certainly forfeited his life OF the
breasiug out of the Revolution Of March,
1913; but the Infatuated populace Of Vienna
treated the poor emperor with extreme re-
Hn.ct, and laid all the infamies committed
upon WV
Mettcrnich.
After the expulsion Of the latter, poor
Ferdinand II. found worse Oppreesor in
his sister n-law, the Archduchess Sophia,
Who constantly urged him to sanction her
dnsnntIc r.,.surcs The emperor steadily
refused, but often sa1u he would be only
too glad to get rid Of the cares OF govern
ment.
At length, when his strength was eX-
hausted, he threw down his crown and re-
tired to Prague, where he has since lived
in obscurity. Ie never goes to public en-
tertuinments, and rarely leaves the Hrads-
chin, except to take o brief walk. His
family paws no attention to him whatever.
HIS only companions are Two old servants,
who have been with him from his yonth.
All the pleasure he has CONSISTS in making
little ingenious toys III his cabinet making
shop He has an undoubteG talent in that
direction.
He never reads newspapers, and hardly
ever opens a book. Few visitors call upon
him, except some pries's, who converse
with him on roigiuus matters. he diehEes
To have is reign alluded To, and, whenever
II 10 mentioned, immediate changes tho
subject.
HE Inirr il shipper than ma; OF ms ser
want, He. never dIiCks wine, aud hAa
never us,d tobacco IN his ilir. His bed
room LOOKS like chapel. HERE are to0r
Inrv. cIuciii1cs III it. Such Is the evening
If III. me OF tins modern DiOcetaI.