The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-03
LIszr ANp ELS pRINcEss.
The Life Led by the Great Master In Cor
geous Manner Near Weimar.

The Life Led by the Great Master In Cor
geous Manner Near Weimar.
Paris Letter in New York World.
Many years ago. when List was capell-meister
to the Grand Duke of Weimar he formed liza
ison with Princess Wttgenstein. They occu-
pied grand mansion, called the Altenburg, a lit
tie outside the city, on height overlooking the
park and the castle of the Grand Duke. The
mansion was paiatal and most artstcally fur
nished. LISTS floor embraced several sa-
Ions, in which were placed showcases
containing all the art objects which the
master had received as gifts from sovereigns
and other celebrities during his artistic career
This museum contained, among the other count
less objects, a grand music desk in solid silver,
presented by Hungarian cay; a cube, also in
solid silver. twenty centimetres long, and the
celebrated diamond sabre, presented by the city
of Pesth. The entire museum represented a
value of many hundred thousand francs.
This LISTS private apartments only; his
reception rooms were on the upper floor. occu,
pied by the Princess Wittgenstein, where the
maestro spent all his leisure hours Between
both salons was an intermediate apartment con-
tanning no less than fourteen pianos presented
by the chief manufacturers of Europe and
America. The Princesss rooms were the won
der of Wemar. The walls were covered with a
kind of velvet-blue paper and were decorated
with over twenty portraits of LisZt in all poses
and styles, paintings, pastels and crayons.
The Princess, who was at the time we'll over
was petlLe. coy, ana OF d SJyie OF IoaJ-
ures just irregular enough to be rresistibly fas-
cinating Her mouth, which was n trihe large
but exquisitely shaped. was almost always occu
pied by cigar, goodly portion of which was
hidden behind her shining teeth. Her indefna-
BILE allurements and personal beauty assured
her first position in aristocratic society, de-
spite her mise and general conduct which were
often questionable, if not positively censura-
BILE. Her principal charm, as described
by one who knew her at the time-and she still
retains much of her former beauty-was in her
face. which reflected every phase of her mind
and bore the stamp Of the highest intelligence
She was remarkable conversatonalist. at home
on every subject, bright, witty and, when she
wished to be. sarcastic. She not only admired
and loved List but really adored him. She
could not even repress her demonstrations of ten
derness for him before strangers, which at times
were very embarrassing for those present
One of the curious features of these incidents
was that LlSzt never seemed to notice them lie
neither encouraged them nor. discouraged them,
but continued to converse with those around as
if nothing unusual were noticeable. He was an
Incompatible talker, and it was at times doubt
full which of the two List or the Princess, was
the most attractive to their visitors. The
Princess had the ill-luck to have her fortune
confscated by the government, but she still
received large annual allowance which
was supplemented by pension from
Liszt Though the Princess used to complain
that she was reduced to beggary, the Altenburg
WdS III pclHb Oh tBaSuluCeuc6 almost equal TO the
Grand Ducal Court The Princess, on account
OF her relations with Llszt. was not admitted at
court. Liszt in his capacity of capell meister
was functionary of the court, and his relations
with tho Princess were not considered, some
what the venerable principle that ''the
king can do no wrong" Still, he had such re-
gard for the Princess that he only appeared at
court when Commanded"
On great occasions. such as princely and royal
visits, the master would attend the court con-
sl1is
condescend to play His independence of mind
was such that he would on these occasions re-
fuse the command of an emperor as readily as
the order Of lackey. Every year of the birth
day OF the Grand Duke, List appeared at court
in the character Of an invited guest, merely to
present mis- compliments in a stiff formal way,
like everybody else. He used to wear the oldest
OF uniforms-a blue coat big brass buttons
cashmere pantaloons and sword, while his
breast was glittering with decorations, and over
all the ribbon of the Commander of the Legion
of Honor
Liszt and the Princess ut this time passed as
exemplars of piety. There were very few Cath
olcs in Weimar at the time, and they worshipad
in a small! church. Every Sunday, after service
had begun, carriage would rattle mp to the
church. and moment afterwards the church
door would be opened with all the noise possible
The Princess would march iauntily up to the
sanctuary railing, and kneel on the first outside
step, where She would remain during the entire
service DoWeu IN the most numDle attitude or
devotion. and penirently beating her breast at
the Mea Culpa.
List, who always walked at distance behind
the Princess, stopped short in the middle of the
aisle leaned carelessly against the pillar, threw
back his great head. which seemed out of all pro-
portion to his body, and looked dreamily out of
a side window which afforded a view into
Deighborng kitchen, where a number of girls
employed in the duties of the cuisine. In
the winter season the Princess invariably APP
peared in large satin pelisse, the fur collar of
which kid all her head gear with the exception
of the chief ornament, bird of paradise perched
on top Of ali the minor fixings