Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-18
IMPERIAL FOOT WASHING.
Where every Uniform Of Austria May
be Seen aud at Its Best.
From the Loadon staadard. J

from the Loadon ,tsli4rd.
VIENNA, April 15.-There are no fetes in
Easter week, and Vienna is as dull as it cal
be. Yesterday, however. we hal something
better than a .fete, stranger than balls or
gaas-the famous FuSSwaschung." The
card OF invitation warned Us to be seated b.
TUNE, breeches, and high boots opens the car
rage door. BetwiXt double row OF his
gigantic fellows you pass without Inquiry. 1t
has not yet occurred To the chambe dams o.
Austria that intruderS dare venture in their
sacred realm. Through several chambers ant
corridors, having no beauty beside that OF i'm
perial age, one gains the room where amOtS-
sailors await the summons of his Majesty.
Officers in every uniform, chamberlainS in
black cuirassed with orders, are talking and
laughing by the guiding strip OF carpet; but
no one asks a question.
Chamber after chamber IS threaded, until
one reaches the ante roqm OF the Sale deS
Keiters-the Hall of Knights. For it was Oc-
cupied by the magyarS OF the Imperial body
guard and nothing can be seen beyond or be
side these "Immortas.' One was conscious
OF scarlet and silver lace, of swinging leopard
sahres trailing to the ground, huge fbutR OF
silver, aigrettes OF costly plumes, and a uni
versal blaze. The masyars Of the gentle body
guard wear scarlet tunic and breaches, pro-
fusely laced with silver on the ches at the
lappets. and down each thigh. Thrown across
the left shoulder and caught under the right
arm is an OcelOt skin, legs and all complete.
An enormous brooch of silver clasps it over
the stomach. There are a hundred other cos
tunes scarcely less magnificent, though less
picturesque. in the hall, where at length Wis
ftor is asked his right to behold the Fusswas
chung
Every uniform of Austria is to be seen there
at its best, and the best can be equ tiled only
in Russia. Scarcely man whose chest is broad
enough to bear his decorations in one line,
yet there are gallant fellows who dare show
themselves among this Ornamented Gro Nd
with a single decoration. These, indeed, are
mostly chamberlainS and civilians, who have
had i'll luck in life. Perhaps the average pro-
is eight per man among this brilliant throng.
Scarlet and gold and white, and black and
blue, gttering lace, paStrons ct bullion,
swining clOakS, furs, and sabres make kali
eldOScOpe at the far end of the room. All
round sit ladies' and spectators in dark cos
tune, for the court is mourning.
Down either side along the tribunes, is a
with rose leaves, pulled from the flower and
tossed in heaps. By every napkin lies wood
en- knife, most qua ntly shaped a spoon, jug
bouquet. Here those veterans VINO, by sllrvi-
wing life itself, have merted the attention of
ROYALTY VII enjoy the last, perhaps the first,
arrive ushered, the poor old wretches, by
blazing giants of the Garde du Corps. Behind
these stately creatures they tOtter in, support
ed on either side by relatives Their dress is
a sack-like gown, and their hats are of the
long shovel form. which dwellS only on the
stage and in the tradiIonal etiquette of Aus
tr - Thus made up" for the performance.
While asmilar procession OF DANES lies to the
other table, Such sad survivals of humanity
are rarely beheld in the streets.
1t was half-paSt 10 before the small gallery
was occupied by three Grand Duchesse' and
their suite: five minutes later the pro :eSs)n
appeared; First entered German guards, in
from neck to thigh, silver helmeted, and white
plumed. Followed, without order or reguiari-
ty, by crowd of officials, more gorgeous, if
that be possible, than those already gathered.
Next came a group of Maltese knights, in
snowy clOaks wor ked with huge gold cross,
and fiat caps, with an ostrich feather tWined
and chamberlains trooped after, chatting and
moving from one broken group to another of
the procession. A further pause of some min
utes brought in twenty four genddrn1eS du
PGtdts, who carried trays, and vanished be-
hind the trlbunes. After awhile bishop en-
tered, in gorgeous raiment, preceded and fol
lowed by chOriStefs and attendanrp priests.
Another break, and then the real cOrtege OF
the Emperor approached in monstrous hurry
a swarm of magnates in full uniform fenced
With orders as with breastplate: Count An
Count Huniady, the Master of the Ceremonies.
Both are dressed in Magyar costumes of scar
let. white peliSSe b0rdered with sable gold and
silver, all about them There is Count Hof-
self, as he we'll may be. There is Prince Tour
and 1axls, wearing always the honorable patch
over his left eye which tells how near he
pushed to the German cuirassierS at SadOwl
There is the Grand Duke Albrecht, in white
tune and red trousers-a small, quiet, uu-
striking man in speciacles. There go all the
them the hereditary Prince, in his plain blue
uniform. There is not an officer in the rom
SO simply attired, for the Prince is still no
more than cadet.
The Emperor comes next a man of fair
height, with reddish hair turning gray, and a
surprised expression BE hastily takes post at
and the Grand DuchesSes sail to the other
board. All are dressed in deep black, with
trains some ten feet long, upheld by little
pages The Empress, observed and admired
The Bishop recites service and the chOristers
respond, while the tWenty-fOur yensddrmes du
patdts bring up their trays laden with the frs
men. When they are ranged opposite the
guests, their Majesties step down and unload
each tray, putting the dishes on the table. The
another signal the Grand Dukes and Grand
Duchesses advance, the Crown Prince at the
head OF the former; the gensdarmes reappear,
meats. Escorted by plumes and sabers, the
procession files Olt,. and the next course is
brought, unloaded by the Emperor, and re-
same ceremony. Five times the performance
is repeated, until, with the dessert, napkins
and bread and jug and tankard, rose leaves
and cloth are carried away, and the table itself
quet the old people have seen, and will pres
emily will taste, those who have still their
senses.
The washing follows. Long rolls of cloth are
spread along the poor old knees, aud the
Archdukes on one side, ArchducheSses on the
other, Slip off the latchet shoes and gartered
stockings. The gentlemen do their service
hastily. with an evident wish 20 let the cur
tain fall on this time-honored farce but the
aides laugh with the old women and each
other, sadly delaying the operation. 1t is mar
yellOuS to observe how they avoid their trains.
One must be born princess to keep ever
present in ones mind the fact that a tail is
stretching, coiling, yards behind ones feet
AT length all is prepared, and at each table
arrives, bearing golden ever
and napkin. He goes before the Emperor or
the Empress, p0urS little drop OF water on
the naked feet, and Majesty, dropping on it's
knee, touches them with the napkin.
Water in the Ears.
AS thiS iS tho son who ,.,