The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-10
A Forgotten Emneror.

n ~ p0lSVh passing JurOuBn INC upper
IN streets Of Prague, the beautiful capi
tai of Bohemia, about noon on fine days, will
be certain to meet in the neighborhood of
the Aradschin an old, slender man, dressed
in a very ordinary suit of black and walk
ing in painful, shuffling manner
No one who looks at this singular figure,
who resembles more subordinate govern
ment fUnctionary on half pay than one who
has moved in the upper spheres of society,
will suspect for moment that the old man
once played conspicuous part in the his
tory of the world. And yet he is not only
prince "born in the purple" but for
many years wore one of the proudest
crowns in the old world.
This aged habitue of the promenade,
near the Aradschin of Prague, is no other
than the ex-Emperor Ferdinand of Austria
who occupied the throne of the Hapsburgs
during that eventful period (1914-1S4S)
when their power was at the highest and
the lowest ebb. When he ascended the
throne, after the death of Francis II. the
influence of Austria, under the guidance of
the cunning Metternich, was paramount in
Europe. The policy of Austria to that time
toward its foreign provinces was pitiless.
The Italians, especially, were treated with
remorseless cruelty. Poor Ferdinand,
whose mental faculties never were the
brightest was kept by his designing and
imperious chancellor in entire ignorance of
the atrocities which we're committed in his
name. Metternich troubled the poor man
as little as possible with State affairs. He
allowed him to enjoy himself in the work
shop as a cabinet-maker, where he passed
probably the happiest hours of his life. He
was also averse to appear in public, and his
participation, in uniform, in military re-
views was painful to behold. Yet he was
an amiable, kind hearted man. Whenever
a woman in distress, praying for some
favor, succeeded in penetrating to him, he
not only Immediately granted her petition,
but was moved to tears by her fervent graf
itude. Whatever 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 beg
gars, and he would not allow his attend
ants to drive them away.
Had he been sterner man he would
have certainly forfeited his life at the
breaking out of the revolution of March,
1S4S but the infuriated populace of Vienna
faH xr,ith rn
spect, and laid all the infamies committed
during his reign upon the shoulders of
Metternich.
After the expulsion of the latter, poor
Ferdinand ii. found worse oppressor in
his imperial sister-in-law, the Archduchess
Sophia, who constantly urged him to sane
tion her despotic measures. The Emperor
steadily refused, but often said he would
only be glad too get rid of the cares of the
government.
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. He never goes to public en-
tainments, and rarely leaves the Aradschin,
except to take brief walk. His family
pays no attention to him whatever, His
only companions are two old servants, who
have been with him from his youth. All
the pleasures he has consists in making
little ingenious toys in his cabinet making
shop. He has an undoubted talent in that
direction.
He never reads newspapers, and hardly
ever opens a book. Few visitors call upon
him excepting some priests, who converse
with him on religious matters. He dislikes
to have his reign alluded to, and, whenever
it is mentioned, Immediately changes the
subject.
His table is simpler than that of his SER
wants. He never drinks wine, and has
never used tobacco in his life. His bedroom
looks like chapel There are four large
crucifxes in it. Such is the evening of the
life of this modern Diocletian.