New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-26
COUNT TAAFFE.
THE IRISH PRIME MINISTER OF ACSTRl

THE IRISH PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRIA.
Every member OF the Imperial family at Vienna,
as well as all the principal members OF the Official
and social world OF the Austrian capital assembled
at the residence Of Count Taaife, in order to con-
cratulate him on the occasion OF hi, sxtie'h birth
day. There few more widely known or more
popular figures in Emperor Francis Joscphs domimohs
than Til, odd-lookng Irish ViScoun. who for so many
years has held the Premiership OF the Austrian Empire.
Imbued thoroughly with the liapNburg notions OF ,he
Divine right OF his Imperial masters rule. and with
al tbo.e foudol ideas which lave survived In the
Duol EmIire he has nevertheless proved himself
to he most perfect master In the arr o.
legislative warfare and the difficult task OF Sc
curing parliamentary majortes to indorse the poncy
which he knows be that of the Emperor. In
other countries where parliamentary forms OF gov
ernmelt exist II is the Prime Minister. as ru'e'
who is subservient to the parliamentary majority
In Austria however. II IS the Prime Minister VINO
renders the legislative majority submissive 10 MINI
self Allying himself permanently Win bohe' no
avails himself OF the services first OF the one ana
then Of the other, and when taxed with poilticai III
consistency replies that the doctrines OF both one
and the other ere Indifferent to him, except
I'm 80 far as they be rendered service
able I'm the furtherance OF the aims OF inc
Emperor. wishes he alone consiits ana ehueav
ors to fulfill. childhood playmate OF Francis
Joseph who addresses him by the familiar pronous
.hou- the Count Is Of the most pecullar'oohhg
men in Vienna His head is narrow and long, ana
n. wears his black hair rather long, falling 10 the
collar OF his strangely cut old gray frock-coat' s
odd looking black silk hat Is perched on the VeV
back Of his head his features are aquine ana "ou~
lead one 10 believe that he rather OF Italian -
.panl,h than Irish descent. lie never uhder any
circumstances allows himself TO be Hurried or worried
about ANYTHING not in the most turbulent ses-
,ions OF the Austrian Diet, maintaining througnous
, high bred and almost indolent repOse and calm,
lIghtcned here and there by trite remark UT
cynical smile OF course he proves perfect goio
mine TO the Vienna carcatursts, VINO are never ufe~
NJ portraying both him and his old coachman, VINO u
olmo, As we'll known a Niennese character rs TIC
Count This worthy Jehu. who abuses ana ofoers
roupd his i.u,trious master the most amusing fash
ION has been his service for thirty years he trims
hi, hair in the same peculiar manner as 'he Nou'.,
wears the same kind OF tile perched on he very "aH
of his head and when not in livery usually arrayeu
in one of the Counts old gray rockcoatS' ihoeeu'
the resemblance between master and man Is SO strk'
ING rs TO be- positively udIcrous. and constitutes one
-, IN. stock Jokes OF the Niennese comic papers
Another member of the Prime Minister'S household
who was scarcely les, well known Than MS coachma"
wa, h, dog Moppi," the most famous poodle IN uhe
Empire aud certainly more popular IMAM rnh'e
pi.marck's Rcichshund. Moppi' was Tor many
ycars the constant and in,eparable companion VI
the Count and WAS probably acquainted with more
state secrets than any other doc In Europe f".
lie use to st soicmnly on char III oo'"e' -
the Prime Minister'S room AT III" Paace' "here 'io
Cabinet council, were held and where audiences were
rciv,d with "A look of truly statesmanlihe sagaci'y
mn mi, clever and Intelligent face. thior'uha"y'
Moppi'sr Official decorum and unmpeachaoie co''
auct in official matters did not extend to his private
ufc which was characterized by numerous indiscre'
lions and as night sci In "Moppi' WIS "oht
IN cast aside the cares Of Office and to become one VI
the caves, dogs In Vienna. II was during one OF
these midnight excursions that lie was 50 mauIed ana
torn by rival Don Juans Of the cann" race 'ha' NC
uocrmh.d IN his INJURIES although tenderiy nursed
hv the Prime Minister of Austria and by the countess
who is one Of tile prOud"st ladies' OF 'e r'"Pre'
Moppi, lies buried In one OF The pre'tiest 'orhers
NJ the park surrounding the Counts beautiful country
seat at Elli,ch, and the tombstone tiat ihaiAs ms
crave bears the words Mopp the favorte OF ALL
, J., surrounded by a beautiful bed of flowers.
Count T,are is descended from Sir John Taaffe OF
County Cayan in Ireland who was raised To the peer
age of the Emerald Isle In 162o, under the t'ie oi
,,.count Taane From the earliest times the Taairco
we're renowned for their fidelity 10 the Crown, the
second vi,count having his estates conlscated by
cr,mw.u for having espoused the cause OF King
Charles J. while the third was killed IN the ba'ue OF
IA. Doyn.. while lighting King james. After the
def,ot Of the latter the TaaHcS migrncd to Austria,
where the fourth viscount became IA Field MARSHAL Of
being created u Count OF the Holy Roman Empire. ol
being an Irish peer h. Is no, sm me- ,scss
sy arisen for his naturalization =, a. an Eng,
usimnn III, name. however. figures on the roll OF
Inc Irish prcragc and will continue to 40 So even
though he does possess single ROOD Oh mnd Ia the
domlnons OF Queen Victoria.
A considerable sensation has been created ~
Vienna by a sacrcgou> theft which has gwen mucn
concern 10 the Imperial family When Archduchess
Marguerite sophie who was married IN January last
10 the heir prsumptvc TO the throne OF Mutemoerg,
recovered from her serious Illness couple or Years
AGO She presented to the Church Of Maria iiiif where
hr brothers and sisters used TO pray for her restort
lion 70 health. Ii magnificent jewel as tokeh OF
Gratitude The Jewel In question consisted OF
Golden heart with an immense ruby surrounded oy
i,rga diamonds In the centre. TO the heart were
attached two gold chains and TO each II these chains
there was appended gold ring the one CONSTITUTING
INC setting OF "A big sapphire and the Other OF an
snu,y large diamond OF the purest water The lewei
vas fastened round the neck Of large statue OF the
virgin which stood In n niche protected by glass list
above one Of principal affairs. The other morning
couple OF hours after the church had been opene9
The rlu.s do + OF the niche discovered to have
hcen smashed and the Jewel 10 have disappeared The
theft Is believed to have been perperaed by SHABBY
locking who was observed by one OF the omciaI
connected with church to have entered the sacreN
edlice shortly after II opened. No clcw. how
eyer has As yet been obtained to his whereaooats