The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21
THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA.


Hungarian Teacher.
Lucy Hoopers Paris Letter.
After some time the lessons were naturally
carried on by means of conversation, and the
delicate question was started of the condition of
Hungary.
'The zeal of my countrymen, continues NJ.
Falk, "soon saw Id these lessons a means of ac-
ton. and more than once placed me in an awk-
ward position. Thus, in 1867, when the corona
ton Of the Emperor at Pesth was first discussed,
/ received from several Hungarian art
lists isl "a. collective letter complaining mp.
the Court of Vienna for the purpose of hinder.
ing Liszt from giving on that occasion his famous
Coronation Mass. This letter requested me to
make use of my influence with the Empress to
nullify those intrigues.. was good deal puz-
zled as to how | could approach the subject.
However, took the letter with me to the palace,
and after some preliminary observations led the
conversation to the music of Hungary, thence
to List, and then to his Coronation Mass, and
the anxiety of the Inhabitants of Pesth. Sud
denly the Empress said to me with gracious
smile, Where is the letter. What letter. your
Majesty The one that they have written to
you with your Majesty's permission, then
replied. I will have the honor of reading it to
you A few days later the affair was arranged
in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants
of Pesth."
At Schoenbrunn, where the court went to
spend the summer, the lessons were pursued
more zealously than ever. The Empress habit
ually received her professor in the drawing
room of Maria Theresa, with two great dogs
lying at her feet Sometimes the lesson would
last for two or three hours without my being dis
missed by her Majesty. She only left her chair
on hearing voice from the next room calling
Elise! The Emperor has returned she would
then say. I waited for this moment before with
drawing because, at my last lesson, committed
the error of rising to leave when o'clock struck,
and was told by the lady in waiting that by so
doing was guilty of breach of etiquette"
A final anecdote to conclude. Zone day [ was
debating to the Empress list of the works of
Szechny, when she paused to say to me, i have
often heard another of his books spoken of. It
is called 1.-The Coup d'oeil." What kind of a
work is itF Now The Coup d'oeil was a politi-
cal pamphlet which had created quite sensation
in 1860 1 had received a copy from London by
mail, for it was prohibited in the domains of
Austria. 1t was really little masterpiece, but
was not exactly work which one would like to
recommend to the Empress of Austria. tried,
therefore. to change the subject
"sHave YOU read that bookP asked her Males
ty IT is prohibited throughout the Empire I
replied. That is not what asked you. Have
you got it2 That's what l want TO know was
was greatly embarrassed and remained silent.
Good 1 see that you have it, Now be so kind
as to bring it to me- But-really, Madam. All,
l see-you think that perhaps l never read pro-
hibited books. just look here" She drew
from her pocket a little key, unlocked
q drawer, and drew from it book
which she showed to me- DO you
know thsY' 1t was 'The Decadence of Austria. :"
a most violent satire, of which everybody was
just then talking. How could such work have
fallen into the hands of the Empressq DO you
know who wrote itP she asked. did know. 1t
was the son of man who held an office at the
court was more and more embarrassed. and
remained as silent as before I see that you do
not know the writer said the Empress smiling;
but If you are acquainted with his father, you
can tell him not to be uneasy. He will not be
held responsible for the writings of his son. My
diplomacy was utterly vanquished. could only
make a profound bow. saying: Madam, to-
morrow you shall have The Coup d. GILL"
Now, it strikes me that the above gives very
pleasing picture of the Huntress Queen the
royal lady who, amongst her official duties,
though beauty and a social star as we'll as an
Empress, yet found time to devote to serious
study. The imperial Elizabeth has been cred
tied with being very naughty sovereign, and it
is a pleasant surprise TO meet with her under a
more sympathetic aspect