The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-13
BAVARIA'S CRAZY MONARCH.
His Deposition Causes a Gloomy Feel
ing Among the Residents of Munich.
A Few Samples of Ludwigs Almost Incredi-
bic Eccentricities--Scene at the Burial of
Belfast's Dead Rioters-Cable Notes.
KING LUDWIG.

KING LUDWIG.
His Deposition Causes Gloom at Mun1ch-Ino
Kings Incredible Eccentricities
MUNICH, June liking Ludwg's deposition
has thrown gloom over the Bavarian metropo-
liz. Business is partially suspended. Many evil
dences are presented on every side OF the deep
attachment of the people for the unfortunate
King. Crowds are standing on the corners read
ing and discussing Prince Luitpolds proclama-
ton announcing the deposition and his own re-
9ency. When Ludwig heard that the ministerial
aeputation was approaching bis Hohensch wangan
castle with a letter for him to sign
consenting to regency. he ordered
his guards to load their rifles and forcibly
prevent the deputation from entering. He then
locked himself in an inner room. The mountain
peasantry living in the vicinity Of the castle,
became greatly excited when they heard what
was going on. They congregated about the
castle and threatened the lives of the deputa-
sion. Count Holstein, who led the deputation,
and who is o tall, powerful man. attempted to
force entrance into the castle. 1t was ,r this
that he was seized and imprisoned in the build
ing by order of the King. When the other
members of the deputation Saw the treatment
accorded the brave Count Holstein, they all ran
away. After awhile they returned with strong
military escort. Then they succeeded In con-
veying to the castle guards and the excited peas
antry an Ineligible statement of the deputa-
tion's simple and harmless mission. When the
guards and peasantry understood this. they gave
way and the deputation was permitted to enter
the castle, but could not succeed in reaching the
King. They left Prince Luitpolds letter,
placed the Kings servants with others, placed
strong military Gordon around the castle. and
left two physicians to guard the Kings room.
and then they went away. Subsequently the
physicians succeeded in obtaining access to the
King. They induced him to permit himself to
be removed to Berg castle, on Lake Starnberg.
The State Council have informed the Kings
mother of her sons deposition. She at once
made arrangements to retire to a convent Her
father and brother died mad, and the same fate
impends over her sons.
The Catholic clergy evidently appreciate the
gain to them of Ludwigs deposition They will
undoubtedly assert more influence over Prince
Luitpold than they ever could assert over King
Ludyig. The Pope has sent CONGRATULATIONS to
Prince Luitpold upon his assumption of the re-
gency, and has ordered the Papal nuncio at the
Munich court to establish the most cordial rela-
tions between the regency and the Vatican.
At Berlin the deposition of Kind Ludwig is
regarded with supreme indifference.
The full story Of Ludwig's eceentricities. those
which passed the patience of the state. would
be generally regarded as incredible. He had
mania for avoiding the daylight and for
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musicians to come to the palace at late hours by
post horses to crafty the royal wish to hear
single air. He frequently had statesmen
aroused in the small hours of the night, ard
hastened to him to assist him in playing bill
lard game. He would drive at night in chariot
or on horseback. with flying speed. accompanied
by mounted torch-bearers far up into the
mountains. in imitation of "Leonore" and of
Goethe's 'Erl Koenig." Once. while engaged in
one of these wild night mountain chases, he fell,
with his horse, down deep crevice. He was
BADLY hurt and his injury aggravated his men
tai ailmert, but his physicians were obliged to
approach him disguised as lackeys or as SOL
diers.
Count Boes, of Waldeck, has been appointed
guardian of the King
Of King Ludwig II, it has been said that he
has had only one personal and intimate friend
In his life That one was the late musician and
composer Richard Wagner, whom Ludwig idol
ICED. The frat stage performance that the crazy
King ever witnessed was Wagner's 'Lohengrn"
He was infatuated with it, and at once became
most liberal patron of the composer. and for ff-
teen months he required the creator of the new
school to reside at Munich, and only allowed him
60 depart when forced to do by his Minis
tiers. The young Kings patronage was
not withdrawn when Wagner was forced to
go elsewhere, for Ludwig's bounty not only
made the musician wealthy, but enabled him to
produce his works at Bayreuth in the most Law
ish and complete manner. This connection with
the great musician first drew attention to the
eccentricities of the handsome Bavarian King,
now bankrupt. and broken in mind and body.
Ludwig II was born at Nymphenbourg, Aug
%, 1S45, and succeeded to the Bavarian
throne on the sudden death Of his father, Maxi.
milan Ii, March 10, 1864 His boyhood was
passed in virtual seclusion with his ecclesiasti-
cal instructors. They allowed him no boyish
companions and no indulgence in boyish sports
and games. To these he had recourse after he
assembled the throne and he has been known to
play at marbles for hours with his courtiers In
one of his palaces just outside of Munich. OF
these palaces he had seven, one Of them in the
Ober-Ammergau being built in imitation of
the Palace of Versailles, and furnished in Louis
XIV style, in the most extravagant manner
Gilt balconies, marble statues set in gold niches
costly Gobelin tapestries, gems of all kinds,
stoves ornamented with agates, chandeliers
studded with diamonds, and bed which cost
E750OO are among the features of this palace
Not far away is hermitage, built exactly after
the one described by Wagner in die Walkure,"
and at the foot of the meadow on which it stands
is artificial lake, the bottom of which is lined
with tin to prevent the water from soaking into
the porous SOIL, Some distance from these two
hermitages. for the great palace little else
than that he built Moorish pavilion. which he
called Morocco, and which is respondent il gold
and jswery. The most precious ornament it
contained was large peacock, mainly Of emer-
aids and turquoises, suspended from the center
of the single room the pavilion contained, and
which is lighted by magnificent chandeliers the
light of which is thrown back from innumerable
mirrors lining the octsgon on all sides
In the rear of the Louis XIV palace is cave