Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-03-26
THE MAD KING OTTO.
How Bavaria's Insane Monarch Enter.
tains Himself.

How Bavaria's Insane Monarch Enter.
tans Himself
The malady of King Otto, of Bavaria,
has now taken the form of stupor, but
there are still occasional outbreaks of
violence. There lis no prospect Of
recovery, or even of improvement,
although his merely animal existence
may continue for long time. He oc-
cupies a suite of apartments on the
ground floor, the doors of which, as we'll
as the outside door leading into the
garden, are always left open in the day
time, as closed door Immediately ex-
cites his rage. The King seems suspi-
cious of restraint, and his attendants
hide as much as possible all appearance
OF authority over his movements. Once
he broke all the front windows of his
apartment, and since then the glass
has been protected by wire; but other
wise there is nothing to indicate that a
1unatic inhabits the premises. The
rooms are handsomely furnished, and
every thing that can amuse the patient
is promptly supplied.
Not long ago some one tried the ex-
pertinent of setting small musical
box playing in the Kings vicinity. He
listened with evident pleasure, and
soon afterwards larger instrument of
the same kind was furnished at cost
5000 marks. But he was Indifferent
to the louder tones, and began to show
dislike to the instrument, which was
speedily taken out of his sight. The
King is always dressed in black. His
beard is very long and thick and he
will not allow it to be trimmed. He
often washes his hands and face, but
can seldom be persuaded to take full
bath. He is extremely fond Of cigar
cites, and smokes more than thirty
day-enough in ITSELF one would think,
to make him crazy and keep him so.
Every time he lights cigarette he
burns a whole box of matches, and
seems to enjoy the noise and the flame.
He has good appetite and eats heartily
of the food allowed by his physicians.
He drinks several glasses OF beer at
dinner, and often calls for champagne,
which is brought to him whenever the
physician gives an asserting sign. He
sits alone at one end of the table,
and his physician with the court mar
shall and the adjutant occupy places at
some distance. The King does not
wish to be spoken to while he is eating,
and never says any thing to his attend
ants excepting to call for what he wants.
He often walks in the park, but is very
unwilling to drive out; probably be-
cause it annoys him to be looked at by
people on the road.
The sensational reports concerning
King Otto, which appear occasionally in
the foreign newspapers, are for the
most part false. He is said to long to
return to his dear Munich, and to beg
to be allowed to drive thither. But the
truth is that he has no desire for any
thing. His gaze is generally fixed on
vacancy, and he does not appear to
recognize even his servants, excepting
an old woman who has charge of the
silver. He has known her all his life;
she used to carry him in her arms when
ne was baby, and it is touching to see
how the last faint rays of his fading in
telligence rest upon her alone. When
he sees her he calls her name in loud
voice and orders her to bring him a
glass of beer, or whatever he may
happen to think of; but ne soon forgets
what he has said and relapses into his
usual state of apathy. Two of the most
prominent physicians of Munich are in
attendance during alternate weeks, and
every Sunday the director Of the insane
asylum visits the palace to examine the
medical report. At rare intervals the
King speaks coherently to his attend
ants, and it is said that soon after his
accession to the throne he remarked to
a lackey: 'Henceforth you must ad-
dress me as Your majesty" But this
story does not appear to be well
founded, and it is certain that when
Princess Therese went from the death
bed Of the Queen-mother to apprise her
SOC Of his loss he showed no sign Of
comprehension and was unmoved by the
grief of the Princess
Messenger.
esNLAT TILE KE0OM CANf