Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-02
THE FooT-wAsHENG At VIENNA.
The Twelve Old Men and Women
Whose Feet are Washed by the Em-
pefOr and Empress,

From the Boston Transcript.
VIENNA, April 5-Through the kindness of
our United States minister, Gen. Taft, and Con-
sui Weaver 1 obtained q ticket to witness this
ceremony, performed in the Ceremonial Saal
Schweitzerhof every year on the day preceding
Good Friday. Twelve Of the Oldest men and
twelve of the Oldest women In Vienna, bearing
good characters and usually belonging to off,
GERS families, are selected to have their feet
washed by the Emperor and Empress after the
command Of the Scriptures-John xiii, IA, Is.
One of the old ladies had reached the age Of 80
years: The doors were opened at o'clock for
the admission of guests. On either side of the
Ceremonial Saar' was long table; on each
table were twelve plates each plate contained
roll and napkin; at the side of each plate
beer mug; In front Of each plate small bou-
quet, and over the remainder of the table were
scattered rose leaves.
Between and 10 o'clock officers of high rank
entered the ''saal' with the minister OF cere-
monies. After long pause came dukes, bar
ons and priests. Still later came the old people
Each old lady and each old gentleman were
supported by two friends to their places by the
tables, the old ladies taking their places at the
table at the left side of the '.saal" the old gem
tlemen at the right. The old ladies wore black
dresses, plain white muslin collar falling
nearly to the waist in 'front.' white CAPS tied
WIN idSCHtCi llouOB, duN over InlS D SOrC OF
sailor hat, placed far enough back to show the
cap border. The old men wore knee breeches,
black stockings, and shoes tied with black
ribbon; also muslin collars like the old ladies'
After the old people were seated at the tables
their friends came forward and Ioosened their
shoes and stockings preparatory to their re-
moval by the court ladies and dukes. their
friends again taking their places behind them
After long waiting, the Emperor, Empress.
dukes, and court ladies, who were to assist In the
ceremony appeared amid the general uprising
of the people. The Emperor took his Mace at
the head ofthe old gentlemen's table: the Empress
at the head OF the Old ladies' table. Four courses
OF 1000 were brought and placed before these
Old people. four plates to each course for each
person. The food was brought by chamber
rams on wooden trays, served on common yell
low plates. The Emperor took the food from
the tray and placed it before the old men; the
Empress did the same for the old ladies' Then
t"enty-four soldiers who were stationed
twelve behind each table, and wearing
null uniform bearing white wood trays.
came forward at signal from the min
ister OF ceremonies and carried the untouched
1000 away. The four courses were served in the
same great pOmp. The Emperor was very
clever In all his movements, passing the food
as though he had always served The Empress
was very amiabie, but was less dexterous, receiv-
ing much assistance from her ladies" After the
food. dishes and tables were removed, long
Whlte cloth was placed over the laps of the
men, another over the laps Of the women
which reached to the floor; then the shoes and
stockings were removed by the dukes and court
ladies'. Now the Emperor and Empress pro-
ceeded to wash the feet, which was accompanied
by responses from the priests. Two chamber
iains carried golden bowls. two carried pitchers
OF water. The Emperor and Empress with
white napkins washed the feet. The amount of
water uSei on this occasion cannot be rightly
calculate, as the serviette was as dry and fluffy
at the end as when the washing began.
After the ceremony two chamberlains. bear
ing trays containing small bags of silver, en-
tered the ''saal." and the Emperor and En-
press hung around each neck one of the bars
OF silver. Quickly the Emperor, Empress and
noble people left. The old people remained to
nave their stockings and shoes replaced The
court ladies put the garments on very nicely
Tor the Old ladies, but the old gentlemen were
obliged to wait a long time in the cold 'saaI."
with their feet peeping out from under the
ciGth until their friends were allowed to come
forward and replace their stockings and shoes
The old people are brought from and carried TO
their homes, and ali the food and dishes
bouquets, &c, in the Emperor's carriages am
tod that this is considered one of the greatest
honors that these people can have bestowed
upon them in their declining years. Their
feet are washed and secured with sand before
they GOMEZ Even then the humiliation was
greater than had imagined Not one particle
OF reverence was displayed by any one. unless
1t was the Emperor. and even he smiled as If
relieved and hurried aWay NJ r