New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-13
IMPERIAL PILGRIMS.
pIOUS WORSHIPPERS IN THE HEART OF THE
SYRIAN ALPS.
Vienna, November 1.

Among the thousands who have offered ND
prayers at the shrine Of Maiia OF Zelt during the
last summer, the youngest well as the most
interesting Of all the pous pilgrims has been the
little eght-year-od Archduchess Elizabeth, the
only daughter OF the Inflated Crown Prince
Rudolph. The tiny Archdlchcss wac accompanied
by her mother, the widowed Archduchess Ste
phanie, 70 whom, however, she bears but small 70
sembance. either morally or physically. For she
bids fair 20 develop in of time into as eel
ebrated a beauty her grandmother. the En-
press Elizabeth and she has inherited all the
sweetness Of temper and sunny good nature Of her
father, Prince "Ruli." Her pilgrimage TO the
shrine Of - Maria Xell peculiarly appropriate
In view of the fact That the picturesque chaps
owes it's origin to another little child Archduchese
the Emperor's youngest daughter, who, whom
but little o der than Princess Elizabeth, devoted
all her money which she couli either or
beg from her relatives 10 the erection Of chapel
dedicated 70 St Maria Yell and 10 ST. George, as
a thank-ofTerinq for the marvellous escape from
death OF her mother. the Empress Elizabeth.
Some years ago tne Empress. who had already, on
severa' OCCASIONS visited tile Nhrjn, OF st. Maria
Zel determined 10 return thithcr. AMI undertook
the journey on horseback. just before reaching
the sacred spot the road traicrses bridge rudely
made Of trunks Of FIR trees, which spans deep
ana tnrbid torrent. The Empress was, -
usual. riding n spirited horse. Somehow or other
the animal caught one Of MS hind feet between
the rugged blanks and immediately commenced
rearing in his frantic endeavors TO free himself.
II was only with the greatest difficulty that the
Empress. D, RECT horse woman though she il.
managed 70 retain her sea. and u avoid being
hurled into the torrent scethlng among the rocks
below Al length onr OF the grooms who WIS
fol owing her, succeeded i'm quieting the terrified
animal suf' GENTLY TO enable her 10 dismount and
after having assisted 10 eXiricatc the horses loot
from between the blanks she continued the re-
mainder Of fne way on foot The Empress
attributed her preservation TO the special inter
venton in her behalf OF the Blessed Virgin OF
Ze and Of ST. George, who is the patron saint OF
al horscnen and hor,cwomen On learning OF
her mothers danger the young Archduchess
Valerie was 50 Impressed by the account that
she arranged for thc cr"ct on Of the beautiful
charcl which now covers -he shrine of st. MIRA.
Over the entrance is marble block bearing the
following inscription composed by the Arch
duchrfs "IToy Mother and Blessed 81. George.
patron Ct cavaliers who en- preserve rs from all
Gar g,r and bv whom my mother has been so often
protected when no human help could avail her,
pray 10 yon both with confidence that you will
not dsclan my humble petition, and that you
will always hc the saviors of the precious life
which gave life 10 me- Marie Valerie In re
membrane, 81, 1883 -
The chapel or church in question is built in
Gothic style on some shelving rocks in the MOS
of dense pine wood which partly covers the
mountain side All around precpices, the
borders and bases of which are black with M
trees ard a great mountain capped with sno"
towers above the sacred cdice. Its sides brsflln9
with Jagged rocks chasms and huge powders
The treasury Of the chapel is filed with magni'i'
cent circrings presented by the great ladies' OF
the Austrian Imperial Family, and Of the nobility,
and in many eases cmblazoned with their mono
grams and armorial bearings. The Countess dc
Chambord, wife Of the French Legitimate RE
tender, presented short time before her oea'h
three superb lamps in solid gold for the sanctuary.
and also huge diamontl cross which ma"
belonged TO Queen Marie An.oinette. The altar
covering is OF almost priceless point de |ehise
and is the aift Ct the Empress Elizabeth. In
the midst OF all these offerings Of the rlch anu
81 the great is preserved the tribute OF the poor
peasant Girl. whose history is a touching one.
She was of mos, humble cr.'in and spent her
lovs IN tending her cattl" On the grassy sops
around her fathers Alpine hut. Gay and thougnt-
loss as a hir. she led happy, careless HE ~
her mountain. and sang from morn tilt nish''
One day, however, despair filed her heart w.
cans, her betrothed, handsome, brawny mount
aneer, lay at the int OF death from the e'icce
of an injury received while ont hunting N'a':
10 sacrifice almost anything .or the SAKE OF III,
recovery she cut of her superb golden mar ana
offered il az a votive gle. 70 our Lady OF Heil
Tho vounr man recovered, but, sad 10 relate. II"
WIS so dismayed and even disgustcd AZ the aspec'
presented by his betrothed shorn OF her maghi',
cent hair. which had been one OF the prlhclpa'
ftoE
features Of her beauty, that he requl'ct he'
devotion with GOODNESS, scor1 ana ihu"'i'P'
Proken-hearied. the poor girl retired q c'Oi','
hut 10 this lay her lovely golden tr"sses' 'ie'
with q faded blue ribbon, are pre>"rvei III ,"'
treasury Of n. Maria Yell, alongside OF the
diamond cross Of the yet far m re- uhior'una''
consort OF King Louis XVI OF France
Maria Zeu IL situated in the heart Of IN" Sty-
ran AIMS. far away from the beaten track OF '''-
eicn tourists. who rarely find their WAY '"i,''''
Ev.rv wear. however some ten or twelve mon
,,pd Anstriaps consisting Of peasants, bourgeois
mobiles and members of the Imperial fa'IN VEN
the shrine for the purpose CT INVOKING t'e o'''
inr of the Blessed Virgin OF zen ana OF ~
The pilgrims generally arrive IN large oanuS' ,"e'
s,rc % they march. and the melody Of the hum
(reds OF harmonious voices ringing OIL. l" '"'
fresh clear Alpine air is ndescribably solemn ana
Grand Austrians. even to the lowest classs all
possess remarkable sense and love OF music W.
ture itself in the Austrian Alps is fuii OF me'o'y'
oh. echoes Of the Russian torrents. the song pirds
varhlnQ in the woods, the murmuring OF inc
,;pd tbrouqh the tall reeds which enclrce tho
mountain lakes all unite in a concert OF the moSe
enhancing character, and IL il not surprising 'so
the inhabitants OF these poetical regions shouio
h, influenced thereby. The costumes, too OF 'he
pilgrims are superb, and nowhere can such VIZ
ricty and pictureslucness Of garb be- seen as IL
these professions of worshippers on their way 70
Maria Zell The Syrian women wear short sSir"
of heavy broca.led silk in bright colors and caps
adorned with golden iiligree, which are 80 vaius'
lila that they are handed down by mother 70