New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-08
FEET.WASHING IN AUSTRIA.
FEATURES OF AN ANCIENT IMPERIAL CERE.
MONY OF HOLY WEEK.
Vienna, April %.

and ceremonies Of olden times retained 80 mucn OF
their picturesque splendor as at the Imperial Court
Of Austria. Probably the grandest and most inter.
cstinp of all these functions lis that Of the wash
;ro of rho feet Of twelve old men by the Emperor
which takes place every year on Thursday Of Holy
Wook in the great Hall of Ceremonies Of the Hof-
h,rr or Imperial Palace. Only at two other
courts. namely, that OF the Vatican and Of Madrid,
is this ancient ceremony observed, by the Pope
and the Queen Regent respectively. though with
far less maguifcence than here.
The scene at the palace on Thursday morning
last was impressive in the extreme. The Hall Of
Ceremonies, originally built as a bold projection
from the Burg for the festivities held on the
occasion of the Emperor NapOleons marriage with
Mario Louise, looked very beautiful. The sun.
which toward IL streamed in through the
row Of rail- windows, caused the marble walls and
columns TO shine and the red silk brocade to throw
nm a mink reflection that could be seen in the
CRYSTALS of fifty lustres, and on the pure white
walls and easements. The floor was waxed to
perfection and reflected the rows OF columns and
the table spread for the twelve old men, raised
upon carpetcd estrada. The table was gayly
,lecked On the white tabecloth stood twelve
quaint old painted wine jugs, twelve silver COB
let's. and twelve nosegays in slender vases; ana
between these a wealth of pnks was strewn on
mink to the darkest red and sending up de-
licious perfume. When generals, officers and high
functionaries had half filed the room the old
men were led in, each accompanied by two rela-
lives and all dressed in old German fashion-knick-
crboclers hose and buckle Shoes braided coat
with n broad muslin collar, and n three-cornered
hat. The gigantic Guards, in scarlet, with white
horsetails on their helmets, escorted them, and
a t0ttcrng old man, bent double, and with sill
very locks, half-carried to the first seat the
place of honor meant for the oldest man present,
and especially coveted because the Emperor takes
his place beside him. When all were seated
whispered alteration began at the upper end Of
the table between the friends Of the first and
second old man. Court officials intepOsed, but
tile ultimate result was that the old man in the
first chair had to get up again and totter down
the length Of the table He was only eighty
nine, much too young for the seat Of honor, which
was due to his neighbor, aged ninety-two. He
was, in fact the youngest man Of the twelve,
though the shalsiest and had to be content with
the last place of all.
The Court clergy who had oficiated in the
chapel entered at half-past 10 and took their
places at the top of the room where a reading desk
stood ready with two tall wax candles at either
side TIE higher Court officials and the Ministers
in front of the crowd Of generals. officers and
| chambersins already assembled. Then the Arch
dukes walked in and stood in row facing the
platform and the table, at which it should he
| noted the old men sat only one side. The
Emperor came last. and mounting the platform,
placed himself at the end Of the table. not in the
position of the host, but in that of a servant.
lie Immediately spoke to the oldest man. who,
however, seemed too childish to answer. The
Archdukes-there were eight-bowed deep 70 the
old men, and then the Master of the Kitchen,
Count Won Wolkenstein, marched in, heading the
officials and pages who brought in the viands
Each OF the twelve bearers stopped at the es-
trade, with a page behind him, and the Emperor,
followed by the Court Marshal, advanced slowly,
took tho dishes two at time. and carefully placed
them on the table The officials then marched
away, and the Archdukes advanced, and walked
up the steps to the table. row Of scarlet body
guards marched up with wooden trays, which
they rested on the right knee, having each placed
foot on the lower step of the platform. The
Archdukes then cleared the table. This scene
was repeated five times, the only noise being the
stalwart step of the guards as they advanced and
withdrew The old men eagerly watched what
was going on. for of course they did not touch
the vianis. this being but a symbocal meal TO
| be followed by q substantial one at home
| Most Interesting was it 10 watch the Archdnk's
| durng THU function. The Emperor, il must he
said seemed to put his heart into his work.
Arctduke Francis Ferdinand. who occupied the
| place next 10 the Emperor, was as serious rs his
uncle under the Monarch 5 ohservant eve. and III,
| movements though staid had the grace OF youth.
| He ia handsome and tall. and all that can he
| wished OF the heir TO a throne. The next was the
| Grand Duke OF Tuscany, doing his work as in
duty bound. and perhaps glad 70 mark how very
| near the throne he stands by his hrthrght His
| son in all the srnartnesS Of nav9. rnliorm was
new t. the ceremony and very attentive. Then
cane his cousin, Albert Salvator. whose father
died n shor. time ago. He is only twenty and
has never served the old men before. lie was
full OF glcc when he took the dishes TO place
,hcr, on the table. laughing heartily whenever
he thought the Emperor did not see him. His
ncighbor was Archdukc Friedrich, good-natured
and unaffected but looking terribly dwarfcd
between his tall neiohtors One Of those
reighbois was Archdukc Eugen, m'n who seemed
70 have walked ont of the frame Of one Of the
arccstrll pictures in the Burg. and WAS half
head taller than any OF the guards and officers.
He bore his fine head erect, and his manly beauty
was enhanced by the picturesque dress of
| knight of the German Order. the golden tunic,
blac, sleeves and gloves hnlf concealed under
the snow-whitc cloak. like that of 1emplar, with
large black and gold cross over the left ann
His uncle Archduke William, was in the same
dress, but with his sixty-ive years did not wear
il 20 such advantage as the nephew.
| After the dinner was over the tables were re-
moved the old mems shoes and stockings taken
of their legs covered with long, white cloth, and
,Len the important part OF the ceremony began.
| Tho pricst AZ the rcading-desk read from the
Testament that portion OF the gospel devoted to
| the description Of Christ washing the feet OF
his Apostles, and two court priests advanced WITH
n golden basin and ever. Tie Emperor took .
towel and knelt down TO dry the feet OF eaoh ola
| 49,. of,ar ona Of tia nriesfs hid nOurcd water