Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-07-01
NO. AS.

skiff, covered with rose ornaments, the
hinder part of which enlarges into a shell.
Standing on the bow of this diminutive
boat is Amor, spanning his bow. Right
and left the boat is adorned with rcd
coral. a pair of doves, whose bills are
united in kisses, are shown in the act of
alighting upon the left side of the boat.
Two golden oars await the appearance of
the mariner. Above on the rock rests
the bewitching siren, combing her golden
waving locks with golden comb. On
the wall of the cave, too, is Hacks
beautiful picture of 'Tannhauser Slum-
bering in the Lap of Venus There is
also a mirror three and half metres
high and two metres broad Three plates
were broken in transit before this one
was safely affixed TO the rock Near the
place where the mirror stands small
stair with wooden rails leads to the Kings
seat. Ii is Il seat some two metres in
length, the back part of which is formed
out of giant she'll, while roses and rush
Is cntwine il all around. Here King
Louis II. loved to sit and gaze at once on
pictures Of life, love and beauty"
Louis had palace, large and splen-
did, at Munich, the feature of which was
roof garden rivalling the famous trop-
ical garden of Semiramis's palace The
The young King formerly loved to live
at Hohenschwangan, up high ON the Ba-
varan Alps. Years ago he began to
build castle there on the side of the
mountain opposite the old castle in which
he had lived many solitary months.
Millions of dollars were wasted on the
great ediiice before the royal lunatic tired
of his extravagant fancy and abandoned
the work. Scaholding still hangs about
the massive half-fnished walls, and vines
have twined themselves about the foun-
dations. Louis built himself many cha
lets on mountain tops, in almost inacces-
sible regions, where he could seclude
himself even from his ministers. The
last palace which his fancy conceived was
one which he began some eight years ago
on the Herren lnseln in the Chem See.
Work was continued on il as long as
Louis could command funds for his oper-
ations. His private fortune had long
since been dissipated by his extravaganza.
His income from the civil lists became so
cntailed that the money-lenders to whom
he appealed had him at their mercy, and
finally the Government refused TO make
him any more advances. Impending
bankruptcy, however, seemed to have no
terrors for him. But without money this
castle building could not 60 on, and the
splendid, half-fnished pile, with its superb
fountains and beautiful decorations, is
likely to stand, until it crumbles, mon
ument to the mad kings madness.
Castle Berg, on Lake Stamberg, where
Louis met his death, is beautiful villa,
the white turreted castle standing close to
the waters edge Thence he went when
he had been deposed early in this month.
These are some Of the palaces of the
dead king, aid there are others hidden
away in the mountain tops. Upon them
Louis has spent great fortune left by
his father. He recently borrowed $4,000
900, and only bis Court Treasurer knows
how many more MILLIONS of debts he has
left behind.
King Louis manner Of travelling from
castle to castle was quite as eccentric as
were his habits Of seclusion. lie usually
travelled in the dead of night TO avoid
observation, Of which he always lived in
such dread that even at the theatre he
sat in darkened box and allowed no
one to enter the building. His carriages
and sleighs were as exlravagant and
splendid in proportion as his palaces.
They were carved and gilded and luxu-
riously upholstered. Carved figures sup
ported the canopies Of his sleighs. Four
horses drew the royal carriage at the top
Of their speed. while outridcrs in the dress
Of Louis XIV dashed along the road with
flaming torches to light the way. 50 at
midnight the royal lunatic was wont to
60 bowling along over the mountain roads,
accompanied by sounds Of Gathering hoofs
and brazen trumpets.
Louis never married He once said
that his favors to Wagner and the elabo-
rate productions Of the composers works
were less costly than would have been the
maintenance Of queens consort 1t is
not likely, however, that motives Of econ
omy influenced him to live a single and
solitary life. BY the gossips in Munich
II used ia he said that whom On n visit To