New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-29
Forgotten Emperor.

lie who passes through the upper streets
of Prague, the beautiful capital of Bohemia
about nOOntime on fine days, will be certain
to meet, in the neighborhOod of the Hrad-
sclin, an old, slender man, dressed in a very
ordinary suit OF black, and walking in pain
full shutiling manner, and leaning every now
and then on his cane to take breath. Many
of those whom he meets stand still and look
after the old man with a curious air. The
bcggars run towards him as soon as they
catch sight of him, TO wlcm he gives few
pieces OF silver.
No man who looks at this singular figure,
who resembles more subordinate govern
ment lunctionary on hall-pay, than one that
has moved in the upper spheres of society,
will suspect for moment that the old man
has once played conspicuous part in the
history of the worlds And yet he is not only
prince :" born in the purple" but for many
years wore one of the proudest crowns in the
the Old World.
This aged haJHUe Of the promenade, near
the lIradachin Of Prague, is none other than
the cX-Empcror Ferdinand of Austria. who
occupied The throne of the lIapsburgs during
thai eycntlul period QS3l-lSlS) when their
! power was at the highest and ut the lowest
eIb When lie assembled the throne, after
the death OF Francis H., the influence of
| Austria under the guidance of the cunning
Mctternich, WAS paramount in Europe. The
| policy OF Austria at that time toward its
| foreign provinces was pitess. The Italians,
| especially, were treated with remorseless
| crGeily. Poor Ferdinand, whose mental
! faculties were never the brightest, was kent
| by his designing and Imperious chancellor in
| entire ignorance of the atrocities which were
committed iii his name. Metternich troubled
the poor man as little as possible with state
affairs. He allowed him to enjoy himself in
his workshop as cabnet-makcr, where he
probably passed the happiest hours of his
me- lie was always averse To appearing in
public and his participation, in uniform, in
military reviews, was absolutely painful! to
behold. \ ct he was an amiable, kind-heart-
ed man. Whenever a woman in distress.
praying for some favor, succeeded in pene-
tratIng TO him, he not only Immediately
granted her petition but was moved to tears
By her tervcnt gratitude. Whatever his ex-
ponses left him Of his civil list he spent i'm
| charities. When he drove out in the Prater.
bis carriage was constantly surrounded by
climorous beggars, and he would not allow
his attendants to drive them away.
Had he been sterncr man he would have
certainly Forfeited bis lille at the breaking out
OF the Revolution Of March, 1918 but the
Infatuated popuiace of Vienna treated the
poor emperor with extreme respect, and laid
all The lniamies committed during his reign.
upon the shoulders of Metternich.
After the expulsion of the latter, Door
Ferdinand ii. found n worse oppressor in his
mpciious sisterin-law, the Archduchess
sophia, who constantly urged him to sane
ton her despotic measures. The emperor
steadily refused. but often said he would be
only too glad to get lid of the cares of the
GOV crnmcnt.
At length, when his strength was ex.
hausted, he threw down his crown and re-
uted to Prague, where he has since lived in
oDscurlty. lie never goes to public enter
tainmcnts, and rarely leaves the Hradscbin.
except to take brief walk. His family paws
no attention to him whatever. His only
companions arc two Old servants, who have
been with him since his youth. All the
Pleasure he has consists in making little in
genous toys in his cabinet-naking shoD. lie
mas undoubtcd talent in that direction,
lie never reads a newspaper, and scarcely
ever onens book. Few vi ilors call upon
MN, except the priests, who converse with
nm on religious matters. lie dislikes to
nave his reign alluded to and whenever il is
mentioned immediately changes the subject.
Ills table is simpler than that of his serv-
ants. lie never drinks wine, and has never
used tobacco in his life. His bedroom looks
IKE chapel. There are four large crucifixes
III IL. such is the evening of the life of this
modern observation-disclosures JoHyam.