The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-29
A MAD KINGS FREAKS
SOME OF THE WAYS LUDWIG HAD
OF AMUSING HIMSELF.

Expensive Opera at Observation-Disclosures
Turnouts Used at Night In the Forests.
Driving Horses Crazy That Ho Might Be
Amused.
II Ludwig II, the young king of b.
varla, was mad, it WINS from excess of maj
esty The monarch of ono of tho smallest
kingdoms of tho world, his opinion of
himself was magnificent beyond all dreams
Oh grandeur Ordinary people were not
sufficiently exalted to bo his companions.
Ordinary occupations afforded him no
qualification. All the ohnteaus and pal
noes which no Inherited when he came to
the throne wero squalid for one so great.
Architecture and building were his ruling
hobbies, and he was thus able to crafty
tho one dolusion by building magnificent
edifices, the second by occupying his time
In tho most extraordinary fashions and tho
third by stunning society and escaping
tho inspection Of ordinary Dyes, eithor in
his gorgeous retreats or by retiring to one
OF the more hum bio dwellings he orectod
on various mountain SUBMITS, where a
fow attendants awaited his unexpected
visits. Ludwigs manin for solitude took
tho most unexpected twists. Ho enioyed
this own company best on those occasions
nomcnaily balanced consider companion
ship most essential. 1t was his fancy to
have dramatic and musical performances
for himself nlono. Unfortunate theatrical
managers and indignant musical directors.
not daring to resist the royal whim, were
driven to waste their talent by providing
entertainments. The thcnter was dark
encd tho orchestra, tho chorus and the
full dramatic company were grudgingly
provided, ono and all dotcsting tho work of
putting forth thoir best efforts for the
amusement OF an empty house. save for
the solitary figure sitting silent and mo.
tiorless in tho shadow of tho royal box
Music Ludwig loved, and mnny of his
widest cxtravnganccs and naddcst nets of
prodigality were duo to tho influence of
Wagner, his ono friend and adviser. 1t
was Wagner who prompted his most tran
sccndcnt folly, tho erection of huge
thentcr Mt Daireuth for that COMPOSERS
Blori1lcntion. One performance alone en-
tailed Mn expenditure of eco, 600, of which
5000 was paid by tho king, the rest be-
ing bnrely covered by tho sale of tickets.
Reared from his childhood amid tho most
enchanting scenery, Ludwig dearly loved
tho lonely mountains and the silent forests
III which his possessions were so rich. Do
lighting to turn night into day, he would
h,
Of his sleigh bells and the big crack of tho
Positions whips would bring tho peas
nntry to their bedroom easements to SEQ
n brilliant cquipago flash by, phantom
that vanished III whirl of snow dust, q
dream OF rcd and gold and blue and silver
ana above tho head of tho silent occupant
two crowns glowing with electric light.
1t was only tho simple inhabitants of the
BaVarinn Alps who ever caught glimpse
of these fairylikc vehicles Tho front of
ono was formed by gigantic sholl horne
by Tritons, with little Cupids sontcd on It's
edge, whose tiny arms carried bncll
wreaths to tho royal occupant. The ornn-
mcntation of another WAS SO profuso that
but three small spaces were left on tho
panels, and these were occupied by delicate
NEUROLOGICAL scenes painted by the hand
of famous Munich artist. The kings
sleighs were mover drawn by fewer than
four horses. He appears to have boon fond
or these animals, which he called his
dumb courtiers." But, like everything
elso about him, they were compelled TO
suffer In order to crafty their masters
fancies.
During tho winter of 1874 instructions
were sent to the royal stables that tho 80
best horses they contained wero for several
days to BIO fed on nothing but oats Tho
grooms imagined they wero to DO entered
for rnce. Though a binding snowstorm
was raging, Ludwig commanded some
Workmcn to at once set about erecting u
wooden tower in tho forest adjoining his
palace, and around this tower n gallery
was to run. Finally when his plans were
mntured no stationed an orchestra of wind
instruments near this erection, taking up
his own position on the balcony In the
oornllclds near he had scattered here and
there drums, kettles and some soldiers
with rifles loaded with powder, and an or
der was given that each man should ro-
main hidden and silent. a q given sig
mi tho horses were led quietly to tho foot
of tho tower. Then the king gave sign
which was understood by tho leader of tho
orchestra, by tho drums kettles, trumpets
and soldiers. In an instant the most in
fernal hubbub broke forth. Each drum
lner We'd with the other to beat louder, the
trumpeters nearly burst their checks, there
wero powder explosions shrill whistles and
most diabolical bowls. Tho terrified horses
broke their fastcnings. Mad with terror,
they reared, wheeled, zigzngged plunging
and Kicking, they galoped here and there;
with blood red nostrils and floating names
they boltcd in all directions to the jeopardy
or tho orchestra and the terror of the
drums and kettles in the fields. One by
one they disappeared over tho horizon,
white with foam. still snorting and rolling
their eyes. 1t was days before some OF
them were found. Many were picked up
onfeeblcd, still wild and terrified Some
had reached the mountains; others had
penetrated the woods or become engulfed
in the marshes. His majesty, however,
was well amused
The tricks Ludwig played OH his horses
he also inflicted on his servants Every
one about him was in danger of life and
limb. Ho injured ut least 80 persons, and
ono he killed. 1t Is not to be forgotten,