The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-12
A MAD MONARCH.
The Melancholy Life of Otto. the Ex-
King OF Bavaria.

King Of Bavaria.
One OF the saddest spectacles which il is
possible to conceive Is that presented by
the prisoner OF Eurstenried. the mad king
OF Bavaria Tall. and almost as gigantic
in stature as his brother, the late King
Ludwig, his appearance IS sufficient 10
startle any one VINO sees him FOR the first
time. His hair is long and unkcpt. and
hushy brown beard reaches below his waist.
There Is kind of weird. wild look in bis
eyes. the gaze of which remaing steadfastiy
fixed straight ahead into empty space.
The only person who can succeed In bring
ing gleaIn OF intelligence 20 his face is the
60-year-old Madam Marie. who was his
nurse when child, and who has now be-
come one Of the principal members OF his
household. she is the only one who is
permitted to speak TO him. everybody
else being under strict orders not
to address a single word to him or
take the slightest notice OF him when
he walks about the park. He is invariably
dressed in black broadcloth and requires q
new suit almost every day. for, owing 10
his strong objection TO the use of either
pocket handkerchief or table napkins his
coat sleeves and coat tails have 20 do serv-
ice for both. For hours he will stand,
eesticnlate wildly and talk 10 the imaginary
parsonage created by his fancy, and then
again for several days together be will re-
main in such state OF lethargy and life
lessness that his physicians become afraid
that be will pass away without even their
becoming aware OF it. All day long, ex-
cept when overcome by his bi-weekiy or
tri-weekly fits of apathy, he viii pun away
&c cigarettes. OF which he smokes almost a
hundred q day. His consumption OF
matches Is still greater, for whenever he
lights fresh cigarette be delights in burn
ing the whole box of lncifers. and In seeing
the whole bundle blaze up st once.
Two physicians. Drs. smell and Ranke.
spead in turn week At the palace They
have supreme control Of the entire estab-
hshment, and not thing is done either BY
the aid-de-camp, the ordeYlies or The
servants without the sanction OF the
physician for the week. Every Sunday tie
1 royal patient Is visited by DR.. Gsashey, the
director Of the principal insane asylum 81
the kingdom, who confers with both 81 the
physicians and takes careful note OF their
/ reports.
/ AT dinner King Otto when he consents
/ 10 appear at the tabse-lakes his seat
I at one end OF the table. Around the other
cad are seated tie doctor, the aia-tle-canaT
and the chamipFlainS-all the little conn
/ in fact. King Otto. however, never takes
/ the smallest notice Of their presence. bul
preserves q sullea silence. shich be oniy
/ breaks from tire 10 time - shout lot
/ champagne. of which, as also 81 beer, he
/ absorbs large quantities lie uses his
/ knife and fork in = perfect normal manner
and sonnet mes appears 10 be able 70 ar
pYeciate and enjoy vhas he Is eating
+ The apartment whi.h he inbabIts are al
! situated on the ground floor and are
! gnagnifceniiy furnished. and tie doors
have Go ba left vide opsn throughout fhs
/ day. II King Otto happens By any chAnct
/ TO come across : eiosed door be immsai.
afeiy falls into n kind OF epiiertsc aud
/ maniac fury and seeks % dash & dowr
/ With his sill powerful fists. II l., more
over, impossible 10 induce him 70 peTusli
/ himself te be hathed, and he displays AZ a.
most hydroph0bie anfipathy for wafer. Ia
likewise absolutely refuses 70 enter AMI
] carriaze, and displays signs OF terror when
/ ever any efforts are made to inance him 81
enter one for the purpose q taxing drive
Its imrossShse 20 predict bow mnes
! longer he nav live. He ney drag on ha
presefst miserable existence for yezfH
whsle. on the other hand. IS - likely tina
The failure OF The natural functions OF to
boeiy may bring on niAiazsE which ~ll
{ carry hsna Of IN tew tsyN- As hs mai
ness 4 Altogether al as sHcaraose nature
his death can only Re regarded IN the lgs
81 : hApoF rsieass