The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-26
IMPERIAL POOT WASHING.
where Every Uniform of Austria May be
seen and at Its Hest.

VIENNA, April 15.-There are no .fetes in
Easter week, and Vienna is as dull as it can
be. Yesterday, however, we had something
better than a .fete, stranger than balls or CALAIS
the famous "Fusswaschung." The card Of
invitation warned us to be seated before 10
O'Clock. A stately creature in black tunic
breaches and high boots opens the door. Be-
pass without inquiry It has not yet oc-
Cured to the chamberlains OF Austria that
intruders dare veGture in their sacred realm
Through several chambers and corridors,
having no beauty beside that Of imperial age,
one gains the room where ambassadors await
the summons OF his Majesty. Officers in
every. uniform, cbamberlains In black cut
rassed with orders, are talking and laughing
by the guiding strip Of carpet; but no one
asks question.
Chamber after chamber is threaded, until
one reaches the ante-room OF the Sale des
Refers 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 "Tmmortals" One was conscious
OF scarlet and silver lace, of swinging leopard
skins. OF pelises Embroidered, of yellow boots,
sabres trailing to the ground, huge .fbulr Of
silver, aigrettes OF costly plumes, and uni
Nersal blaze. The Magyars of the Gentle Body
Guard wear scarlet tunic and brooches, pro-
fusely laced with silver on the chest, at the
lappets, and down each thigh Thrown across
the left shoulder, and caught under the right
arm, is an occlot skin. legs and tail complete
An enormous brooch of s:ver clasps it over
the stomach. There are a hundred other cos
TUNES scarcely less magnificent though less
picturesque. i'll the hail. where at length a
visitor is asked his right to behold the Fuss
waschung."
Every uniform in Austria is to be seen there
ut its best, and the best can be eu,,alled only |
IN Russia Scarcely a man whose chest is |
broad enough to bear his decorations in one
line. Yet there are gallant fellows who dare /
SHOW themselves among this ornamental
crowd with a single decoration. These. in
deed, are mostly chamberlains and civilians
. who have had i'll luck in life. Perhaps the
average proportion of medals, crosses. stars
ana ana devices Is eight per man among this bril-
and black and blue glittering lace, plastrons
oi bullion, swinging cloaks, furs and sabres
make Kaleidoscope at the far end of the
room, All around sit ladies and spectators in
dark costumes. for the court is mourning.
Down either side, along the tribunes, is a
table laid Tor twelve, its snowy cloth thick
with rose leaves, pulled from the flower and
tossed in heaps. By every napkin lies a
wooden knife most quantity shaped, n spoon
Jug Of earthenware a large tankard and a
httle bouquet. Here those veterans who by
surviving life itself have merited the atten-
ton OF royalty. will enjoy the last, perhaps :
the first, honor OF their long existence. Pre-
emily they arrive, ushered, the poor old
Wretches, by blazing giants Of the Garde du
Corps. Behind these stately creatures they =
tNs n supported on either side by rela
their hats are of the long shovel form which l
uw"lls only on the stage and in the tradi- >
tlonal etiquette of Austria Thus made IN l.
Tor the performance, the old men are led or
ii1trd to their seats, while similar prOces-
sion OF danes files to the other table. Such
sad Survivals of humanity are rarely beheld
IN the streets. fl
liz was half-past 10 before the small gallery v
was occupied Ivy three Grand Duchc-,ns and <
their suite; five minutes later the procession o
First entered German guards i'm d
,ed laced with gold and black alternately d
rom neck to thigh, silver hemeted and white II
oluthed Followed without order or rexulari- g
y. a crowd oil officials, more gorgeous il that ST
De possible. than those already gathered <
Next came group OF Maltese knights. in y
snowy cloakS worked with huge gold cross q
md hat caps, with an ostrich feather twined a.
ibout them. Princes and dukes marshal. p
md chamberlaDS troOpod after chatting and IA
moving from one broken group to another of St
he procession. A further pause of some min
iteS brought IN twenty-four gensdarmes du
pdtdts, who carried trays, and vanished be-
md the tribunee. After awhile a bishOD on
cred. IN gorgeous ralment preceded and fol- II
owed by choristers and attendant priests
Another break, and then the real cortepe of h,
he Emperor approaches in monstrous hurry a
"a swarm OF magnates in full uniform fenced III
WITH orders as with a breastplate Count An On
rasSy marches in the midst talking with n
,ount Hunlady, the master of the ceremonies ~,
'oth are dressed in Magyar costumes of scar or
et, white pelisse bOrdered with sable. gold 20
nd silver, all about them. There is CGnnt -
tonmann, the finance minister, gloomy hy in