Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-14
Deposition of Bayaria's Mad King.

King Lutlwig's deposition has thrown
gloom over the Bavarian metropolis. Many
evidences are presented on every side of
the deep attachment of the people for the
unfortunate King. When Ludwig heard
that the ministerial deputation was ap-
proaching his HohenschwaDgan castle with a
letter for him to sign consenting to re-
gency, he ordered his guards to load their
rifles and torcibly prevent the dcputation
from entering. He then locked himself in
an inner room. The mountain peasantry
in the vicinity became greatly excited when
they heard what was going On. They con-
gregated about the castle and threatened
the lives Of the deputation. Count Hol-
stein, a tall, powerful man, attempted to
force an entrance Il was for this that he
was seized and imprisoned in the building
by order Of the King. The other members
Of the deputation returned with strong
military escort, and succeeded in conveying
to the castle guard and the excited peasantry
a statement of their mission. The deputa-
ticu were then permitted to enter the castle
but could not succeed in reaching the King.
They left Prince Luitpold's letter, replaced
the Kings servants by others placed strong
military Gordon around the castle and two
physicians 10 guard the Kings room, and
went away. Subsequently the physicians
succeeded ia obtaining access TO the King.
They induced him to go to Berg Castle, on
Lake Starnberg. The state council have
informed the Kings mother of her sons
deposition. She at once made arrange
mentS to retire TO n convent. Her father
and brother died mai, and the same fateim
ponds over her sons. The full story of Lud.
wigs eccentriciies would be generally re-
garded as incredible. HIS had mania for
avoiding daylight and for turning day into
night He summoned great musicians to
como to the palace at late hours by post
horses to crafty tho royal wishes to
hear single air. He bad statesmen
aroused in the small hours aud FASTENED
to him to assist him play billiard game.
lilo would drive at night in chariot or on horse
back, with flying speed, accompanied by mounted
tation of Bursher's 'Lenorc" and Goethcs "Erl
KGaig." In one Of these wild night chascs he
fell with his horse, down deep chasm. Io was
badly hurt, and his injury aggravated his nenta.
ailment, but his physicians were obliged to up
proach him disguised as lackcys or as soldiers.
! A story told of the cccentricties Of the King is
as follows:
"The King on one occasion sent for new So
prano who had made wonderful success at Nun
ich to entertain him with her singing at his castle
st Hohcnschwangcn. When the singer arrived
the King told her no wanted to hear her singing
on the water just at midnight. They proceeded
to shallow lake in the castle grounds and King
Ludwig produced a gaudy pleasure boat, somo-
what Of 4 cross between 4 canoe and gondola.
lie seated the singer in the bow of the boat and
placed himself in a luxurious pile Of cushions in
the stern. The little craft was propelled by one
oar, which was skilfully welded by the King.
There he kept tho poor artist singing for fully
three hours. At last she begged to be allowed to
stop, saying that she had already contracted 4 Sc
we're cold and was unable to control her voice.
The King stcrnly ordered her TO proceed, but she
could not. Then the King said he was going
home, and he supposed she knew the way a-horc
He slipped over the side of the boat into the
water, which was not moro than thrco feet deep,
and calmly waded ashore and walked up to his
castle The artistic remained in the boat, filled
with despair. For tho first hour she thought the
King would surely send some one to her rescue;
but no ono came, and after two hours Of waiting
she too waded to The shore. She went to the CASTLE
but nobody there knew anything about her, and
she was turned away as nn nposter. She started
to walk to Munich, Notwithstanding her clothes
were soaked with water and bcdragglcd with mud
Fortunately, she soon met hackney coach which
took her 10 her apartments. She Immediately
summoned doctor, but the fatal mischief had
been done, and she died within a week of meu-
monia. The King sent an cxtravagant sum to
pay for ker funeral" It will be seen by to days
dispatches that King Ludwig has committed
suicide by drowning himself