The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-04

tiOH HtTc. But perhaps li' inoSt sciIVuo
case Of all is that of the Emperors eldest
nephew, Achduke Francis, who, in de-
fault OF male issue on the part OF Crown
Prince Rudolph, will succeed to the i'm
perial crown OF Austria but who is epi-
leptic 10 such degree rs TO have rendered
1t necessary on two occasions already to
place him under temporary restraint
1t is not, however, the ilapsburg dy-
nasty alone on which the hand of Proyi-
donce weighs so heavily. Indeed, at the
present moment there is scarcely single
family in Europe which ~ not afflicted
with some kind OF hereditary iniirmty,
produced as a rule by too frequent inter-
marriages between near relatives for sew
eral hundred years past, which has re-
suited in the impoverishmcnt and Vita
ton Of the blood. Ileretical and treason
able though il may appear from a Euro
pean point OF view TO advance such a
theory, there IL no doubt but the blood
royal means tainted blood, and that both
from a moral and physical point OF view
the blood Of the peasant classes is OF far
more generous and healthy quality than
that OF the aristocracy and Of royalty.
In order TO become convinced there.
OF, II is but necessary 10 take up
the Almanach de Goiha" and 10
glance over the list Of those born
under the shadow Of n throne. The King
OF Bavaria is n confirmed and incurable
maniac, who, according 10 latest accounts,
imagines himself to be n bird, and spends
his whole time building huge nests OF
straw and sticks in the corners Of his
apartments, occasionally rising TO his feet
TO stretch his neck and 10 flap his arms rs
II they were wings. His brother, the late
King, committed suicide under peculiarly
tragical circumstances while in a state oil
dementia The mother OF the reigning
Empress of Germany is again AN inmate OF
the private lunatic asylum ut Graz, in
which she was detained for q period OF
six months about two wears ago. Prince
Alexander OF Prussia, although General
OF Infantry, Is n complete imbccilc, who
can never lie allowed TO remain alone for
one instant, and whose harmless freaks
and ecccntriciiies have formed the laugh
ing stock Of Europe for many years past.
Ills mother, IL may be added. died
a raving maniac, while his brother,
like "Mr. Dick" in David Copper
field" is regarded by somo people NJ
a remarkably clever man, and by Others as
silly crank. King Frederick William
". OF Prussia passed the last three years
OF his life under close restraint, hisinsanity
having been produced by the same incur
able disease which has obtained 40 firm a
hold on the present Emperor OF Germany.
OF the Orleans family the Duchess a Alcn-
con has for the past three years been af-
ilictcd with mclancholia and dementia 10
such an extent rs ~ render II necessary 10
place her under rcsirnint, whilu the Prince
de Joinvilic, the Due dc Montpenser aud
the Due dc Nemous are all three 10 terri
bly, deaf ~ 10 render IL almost impossible
" carry on conversation with them.
Nor do the English royal family enjoy
any immunity from the evils OF their high
station and ancient lineage. Tho late
Duke Of Albany. the youngest and favor.
ito son OF the Queen, was subject 10 ter
riblo fits ol epilepsy, in one Of which in
deed lac lost his life at Cannes in 1854;
while both tie Sovereign aud the Prince
OF Wales suffer greatly at times from the
malndy known M the kings evil. F"
Even The charming and gracious Princess
Of Wales il afflicted with ever increasing
deafness, which threatens 10 assume ~
aggravated form m that III her mother,
the Queen OF Denmark. Insanity Tcgns
in the Russian ROYAL family, aud innum-
cnbla are the anecdotes which could loo
told u the late Grand Duke Constantine,
aud also Of the conduct Of the Emperor
Nicolas during the three months previous
Ia his death. Fears are expressed at ~.
Petersburg and ut Copenhagen that the
mind OF the Carina is giving way under
the terrible burden OF anxiety i1f her
husbands and her childrcn's safety. Her
mclancholia has indeed ASSUMED NJ scri.
ous "a form that Dr. ~Charcot, the
greatest mad doctor OF the asv.
has been specially summoned Ca
~, Petersburg in order 10 examine thc
condition Of her nervous system. II Is
appfchcndcd that before many weeks are
past her state willdcmand tho same sort
Of cate and attention which noccssiiatod
the confinement oi her younger sister, the
Duchess oi Cumberland In a private lun.
attic asylum at Dobling near Vienna,
about two years ngo AZ Stockholm mat
tcrs are Just NJ bad, the Queen OF sWcdcn's
mental condition II such ~ a. nccc~itatc
her complete scclnsi1n. aud the absence OF
all intercourse with either her family OF
court Indeed, according ~ latest ac.
counts. her medical attendants, with u
view TO produce q reaction both ol u
mental and physical nature. have insisted
ON her performing with her own royal
hards all kinds at mental aud household
work, such W. scrubhing the CRATES. sweep.
ing the hoors. and other similar duties lie.
handing considerable bodily CNcrtion.
Tho remaining mombcu OF her family