The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-08

OF the Austro- Hungarian court. including
ministers of state, archdukes, generals o.
infantry and cavalry and vice admirals OF
the war fleet. Chatting with officers In
gold-embroidered blue and scarlet uniforms
were knights OF Malta, with white cross on
sleeve and breast: Hungarians. with high
yellow boots and a leopard's skin thrown
trast to these, the Polish aristocrats. in
hoNing robes OF black mourning for their
lost kingdom In the royal box above were
clergy entered the room, followed by the
twelve Oldest poor men OF Vienna uor
whom the service is performedD. dressed ia
cape collars and knee breeches.
Many of the aged men were quite feeble.
and were assisted to their chairs by Their
relatives, who stood behind them during
Emperor. Francis Joseph I, accompanied
by his suite, attended high mass in the
royal chapel, and upon his return entered
the hall, followed by his cousin, nephews.
and a large cortege. The Emperor wore
the uniform of a general OF infantry. AMI
took his place at once at the head OF the
table. making the number thirteen, while
in the rear stood thirteen of his body
guard. Then appeared from an ante-room
twelve OF the nobility, each carrying a tray
containing the first course of a feast to be
served to the Kaiser's guests. The dishes
were all placed upon the table by the EN-
peror himself, but no sooner had he done
this than, with the assistance of his brother
and the archdukes, he replaced them upon
trays held by the thirteen guards, who re-
moved them. IL seemed little hard on
the old men TO see the tempting v;ands
so quickly taken away, but We learned
later that each one received al his home
the food and dishes as well, which were
made for this occasion, as IL had been
joyed In this way than before such a grand
assemblage. The repast was beautifully
prepared and handsomely garnished, served
in four courses, each presented and re-
Described
which the tables were taken away.
Footmen then removed the shoes ard
stockings from the old men and spread
over their knees a long white linen roll,
after which the chaplain began the gospel
for the day. At the words let caepit la
ware pedes discipulorum' the Emperor
knelt and began the ceremony OF the foot
washing" one prelate holding a basin
while another poured the water The En-
peror continued kneeling until he had per-
formed this service of humility for each
of the twelve, after which he took from a
salver silken bags, each containing thirty
pieces of silver, and hung one about the
neck of each of the old men. This ended
the service, but we fingered long enough
to see these honored guests assisted TO the
royal carriages to be sent home in the care
of members OF the Kaiser's body guard.
carrying the stable wooden chest of pro-
visions and a large flask of wine. When
the Empress is at home she performs a
similar service for the twelve Oldest poor
women OF Vienna, but in case she is not.
as happened this year. they are not present
at the ceremonial, but receive at their
home an equal share of the royal bounty.
1t is not uncommon later to find these
royal gifts in an antiquarian's shop. the
original recipients frequently desiring the
forms they will bring more than the dis
tinction of possessing the gifts themselves.
The men and women who can count more
than one hundred years are annually in
cluded in this royal invitation, but the ma
jority of them receive this honor but once.
This year the oldest was ninety-six and
the youngest eighty-eight years of age.
This ceremony, in remembrance of the Last
Supper was originally observed in monas-
teries and cathedrals centuries ago, and
later was adopted by the nobility and the
Catholic courts.