New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-10
AN EXPRESSES PLEASURES.
CRUISING AROUND THE WORLD - FRAU
WOLTER-AN IMPERIAL HOME.

The Empress, having exhausted the pleasures
of the land, now seeks upon the sea new worlds
to conquer. Truly, she is remarkable advent
uress-in the good meaning Of the word Her
fame as a horseback rider is worldwide, and well
deserved. In girlhood she accustomed herself to
the saddle, not only on docile nags in parks with
grooms in attendance, but on unframed and even
vicious brutes, riding across country and among
the Bavaran mountains, all alone. Even after
she became Empress and reached middle age her
passion foI this noble sport did not cool. Only
four or five years ago she went 10 Ireland for a
few weeks and spent half her time galloping
moors and through the boys with courage and
skill that made the boldest foX-hunters hold their
breath Lately, however, her physical ailments
and suiierings, which she almost stoically con-
ceals from the world, have forced her forever to
give up the saddle. This is n deprivation to which
she can scarcely reconcile herself. She has, how
ever, sought soace in other forms of outdoor
exercise, especially walking. 1t has for the last
few years been her frequent habit TO 60 out on
long tramps, sometimes Of many miles, over hill
and dale. She never seems to tire of this eXer-
ton, but it is rough sport for the ladies in at
tendance, who, foosore and weary have been
known 10 declare themselves dead beat and to
solicit her gracious permission to sit down on a
milestone or messy bank These Imperial ram-
bles, more especially among the hills of Buda and
in and ont through the sylvan shade of the
WieneTwald, or the more captivating secIusions
round about Ischl, are generally interrupted by a
rest at a halfway rural inn or farm where beer
Of country brew, cheese and sausage served by the
rustic pumpkin in ignorance of his guests iden-
tty, are done ample justice to with as keen a
relish as the ordinary wayfarcr might exhibit.
This Is merely a renewal of her girhOod habits,
inherited, doubtless from her father Duke Max
vas profound scholar and an accomplished artist
and cOurter He had moreover, full apprecia-
ton of tive dignitieS of aristocratc rank. But
all the same he loved now and then 10 60 ont
among the people He would spend many an even
ing chatting with peasants at some wayside inn
at some rustic reeels, cllnking his beer mug
against theirs, and dcligh'ing them with the
music of his either. So his daughter Elizabeth,
even when She was about to become the bride of
the Austrian Emperor, was just a, unconventional
as he. Nay. she persisted in her waywarness even
after She became Empires. Her imperi0us and
ctiquette-bOund mother-in-law was Mortified II
her conduct, and vainly strOve TO bring her into
harmony with the HapSburg traditions. The two
women cordially hated each other and Elizabeth
seemed 10 take n pardonable delight in torment
ing her moher-in-law by coming 10 table without
gloves on her hands, and committing other equally
heinouS crimes. One day She went 50 far, while
walking in Schoenbrun Park, as 10 buy sausage
from one of the multtudinous sausage peders, and,
holding it in her gloveless hands, eat it then and
there, under the open sky and in sight Of the
populace. This nearly gave her mother-in-law a
fit, and She prophesed that after such shameless
conduct Elizabeth would surely come 10 a terrible
end.
The Empress is a good sailor, and has braved
I i'll
one of the toughest bits of water in the world.
She has never yet taken an extended ocean Voy-
age. however, though she has greatly wished -
10 do But this year she will crafty her desire,
Soon after the Archduchess Valerie is married,
that is say, about the middle OF August, sls
will set out on a voyage around the world. Tho
exact date will probably he August 30. TWO days
after the Empcrors birthday and anniversary,
The start will be made from Amsterdam. IN
large English svessel which has been chartered
for the purpose. IL is a steamship hut will pros
coed entirely under sail. unless becalmed.s or nv
any other eXigency compelled 70 u>e steam. Tho
route to be pursued is not yet determined lnGecd
it will be selected day by day. according 10 the
Imperial travellers fancy. The start will
doubledv BE made. however. from Amsterdam,
down thr Channel and along the French and
Spanish coasts TO Gibraltar, and thence. prob
ably, along the African coast 10 the Suez Canal.
There has been much talk of her visiting tbs
United States, and at present it seems quite likely
that she will do so. She has made several very
warm friends among the ladies Of the American
colony here. and has often been heard 10 eN-
press ardent desire 10 visit the Great Republic.
Not long ago she said that she would have visited
America long ago had il not been for the Emperors
strong wishes 70 the contrary. Although he has
/ only the frlendlcst feelings toward the United
States he cannot forget that ii was on American
soil that his brother met n shameful death. and
/ not even vet can he think or hear OF America
without shuddcr Ii is, however, understood
that he feels quite rcconciled 10 the Empresss
idea of cruising in American waters, from the FACE
rule also. vii be observed in Europe and through
| out the entire voyage. The Empress VIII not
leave the ship, even for an hour
Rumors that Frau Wolter, the eminent tragic
actress, will visit America professional tour
have been revived, but groundlesSy. She viii
not leave the Vienna public that 50 enthusiast
cally supports her. Fran Woltcr. Countess Sull-
van. has charming summer home among tho
Upper Austrian Mountains. where she has more
than once had the Empress herself as guest
One day the Empress went thltlcr. attended only
10y one OF her maids. After call OF an hour or
two She started 10 return home. when she dlScov-
cred that she had not her purse with her. nor had
the maid any money, not even enough to pay tho
fcrryman on the lake. 1hcrcupon the Empress
asked the actress 10 lend her form. 10 enable her
10 get home The next day the Emperor came up
10 Frau Voters villa, and graNcly handed her Il
silver torn saying: A dutful husband always
/ pays his wifc's debts" The actress has had this
coin Set with diamonds, and wears it consplcuouSiy
rs brooch.
The dilapidated chateau at Wells, within COM
paIatiyely easy access by rail from kaiserstadt,
has been purchased and patched up for the Arch
duchess Valerie and her husband, and this will be
their future home. The furniture in the state
apartments. Of light wood. is OF the simplest. 10
displays throughout n marked lack of conventional
ornament. All is in harmony. but il Is right royal
harmony. where simplicity and grace take tho
place of a superiority of elegance. only the Prln
ccss's private rooms are hung with tapestry, and
here an eye 10 comfort relieves the Stat"llncss of
/ outline The chateau. on rising ground mmands
"A full view of the flower garden. which, unlike
other Imperial gardens, has not rs yet been sub
jccted to IlapSburSian horticulture. The trees
have, up 10 date, not ocen mutlhted into sugar
! l. IL ShAnns LnNn Ila. nNrnuns henu cllnnel