Arizona republican., 1898-12-28
RULER WHO LIVES
 IN SOLITUDE

Hidden away in the cxquisitely pie
 turesque and magnificent castle of Els
 grub. in Moravia. and old world ru'eI
 has just celebrated in solitude the fer
 tieth anniversary cf his acce sion 10 tn:
 throne. writes Marquise de Fontenoy
 in the Washington Post. He is not
 insane. On the contrary, he is one cf
 the most intellectually brilliant as wall
 as the most kindhearted of European s5vereigns Yet during these forty years he has been practically invisible to the world. No enc. save his only brother, and his confidential secretar- ' iss and servants know even what he looks like, and his subjects, like the rest of the people on the continent, can only form conjectures as to the nature Of his appearance.
 This hermit ruler is the reig1ing Prince Of Lisolatenstien, an indspsn- dent sovereign, who, theoretically, is still in state cf war against Prussia. For, when, in 1886 the various soveT- eign states of Germany were called up- on to array themselves either On the side Of Austria CT Of Prussia, the Prince of Liechtens.ein cast in his lot with Austria, boldly declarde war against Prussia, and put on 9, war foot ing his army of about 300 men.
 After the conclusion of the campaign Prussia concluded peace with the va rious states that had taken part in the conflict. But some how Or other the principaIity of Liechtenstein was over looked or forgotten by Bismarck. and as if his attention had been drawn to the matter it would have resulted in a demand for indemnities, etc, the prince naturally fcrabore to call the attention of Prussia to the neglect. No peace having been concluded therefore be- tween the two countries. they are theoretically still in state of war with. one another.
 Few people are aware Of the reason for this mysterious seclusicn Of the Prince of Liechtenstefn, who, in spite Of the smallness of his dCminions, IS one of the very wealthiest rulers Of the old world The fact of the matter is that he is afflicted with an intestinal ailment Of such. a character as to de bar him from the society Of his fellow creatures, and to render his isolation necessary.
 He entertains large parties Of guests at his various castles during the shoot ! ing season, and likewise his palace at Vienna during the carnival week. But while his guests are never permitted to want for anything, and are simply overwhe.m with delicate attentions, they never set eyes On their host throughout the entire time they are underneath his rcof, and if they have anything to communicate to him. thy must do so by letter.
 There is every reason to believe, however. that he sees them when they . are at the tables, in tho ballroom, or ln the drawing g-rooms by means Cf secret vasistas CT peep-holes in the walls. But no one knows whether the prince is looking cn CT listening CT not.
 It is a very sad life; and yet that it has not rendered the prince misan- thrope is shown by his boundless charity and philanthropy, and by the . number Of his scientific studies and . works which have won fer him the i honorary membership Of the Imperial | Academy Of Science of Austria. He is . close upon sixty years Of age now, and | it is hardly necessary to say, has no children and is unmarried
 His next heir is his only brother, Francis, now Austrian ambassador at St Petersburg, and. who will net only succeed to his vast estates, but likewise to his sovereignty Of Liechtenstein and :. to his dukedom Cf Troppau. He, too, is unmarried, and then the next heir is his cousin, Prince Alfred Liechten- stein, who has a number Of sons, and whose brother, Prince Henry, spent a considerable time in the United States some years ago. Let me add that the Liechtensteins are all Of striking ap- pearance, being tall, slight and good looking.
 Among the many objections wh ch are entertained in Germany 10 the con- stant travels of the kaiser is the dis order which they entail in connection with the ordinary railroad traffic. The kaiser always travels by special train, and these special trairs not only have the right of way Cn all German lines, but moreover involve a thorough dis organization of the regular train ser vice. owing to the strictness of the reg ulations which the emperor has d=vised for his convenience and his safety.
 Thus. no enc is admitted to the plat forms Of the stations through which the imperial trains passes, or where it stops, except those persons whose pres ence has been specially authOTized by the sovereign and tlhs railroad officials whose presence is absolutely indispen- sable for the execution Of the railroad service. And even these functiOTarias are ordered to gC about their duties in such a fashion as to interfere in no manner with the convenience Of those in attendance upon the emperor or to cbtrude themselves upon his net 'ce.
 Let me add that the imperial train is always drawn by two locomotives. The chief engineer Of the line is Cn the