The times., 1898-09-12

consideration her justice, her democracy,
caused her to be looked upon as a mt
companion of the beloved emperor With
al she had a negative dignity and uncon-
scious queenliness. which shone through
the simplest riding frock. And she did
not concern herself with politics. This
was one of her greatest. virtues in the
eyes of the people. They had wearied of
"petticoat government.
+ All her life the Empress Elizabeth
hated court ceremonies and public shows
of all kinds. Rarely would she appear,
usually pleading convenient illness But
she loved to wander about when her iden-
tity was not known and talk TO people.
But the chase was her first and great
est pleasure. Her reckless riding filed the
emperor with alarm. He lived in constant
dread that some day she, would be killed.
The private menagerie and circus of the
empress was one of the things that star
tied Europe when II became known. she
had a large forest park inclosed with
, high walls. In this were bear pits and
cages for wild animals. Rare birds sang
in the trees. In the center of the park
was a clearing with a race track and an
amphitheater.
II was said, and currently believed, that
the empress had wonderful influence upon
savage beasts. She had not the slightest
fear of them, and would often walk about
holding lion by the name.
Often the empress would ride for hours
about her race track, firing out horse
after horse. constantly urging the animals
to their greatest speed. There was some
I thing elemental and barbaric about this
queen, but there was no cruelty in her.
| Often when she had tired of this mad
racing she would call her intimates and
/ order the servants to leave the park.
Then there would take place an amateur
CIRCUS performance, in which grand dukes
were the grooms and the Empress of Aus
| tria was the queen of the arena" And
I she could perform really remarkable
/ feats. She often employed circus riders
/ to teach them to her.
! AS rule, she cared little for Injuries.
] For the most part she ate frugaliy.
When she was on one sof her wild rides
/ she could throw herself on the ground
! and sleep peacefully. When she awoke
she was content with a piece of black
bread and some sour wine or beer, If she
could get it. Now and then, however, she
would give her appetite free play. Then
| the royal chef had a hard time of it.
The vitality of the empress seemed to
compel her to physically exhaust herself
/ before she was content to rest. She dined
I at o'clock in the afternoon, and usually
went to bed at dark. She was up usually
at a. m, never later than 5, breakfast
Ing at 6 o clock usually. She often walked
thirty and forty miles in day, and found
time to look after her household and to
study. She was an omnivorous reader.
She seldom went out without a book in
| her hand.
She delighted to go abroad, particularly
to England and Ireland. Even after the
time came when she was forbidden to
ride horseback she liked to go to Eng
land although 1t was the fox hunting
! which had first attracted her She Suf-
fered from a nervous disorder in her later
years which compelled her to give UP her
favorite amusement. She took to fencing
with enthusiasm, but had to relinquish
that. But she was still permitted to walk
and climb, and she found yachting a
most delightful pastime. oo
During the later years of her life the
empress wandered about Europe much of
her time. She visited the little town of
Cromer, in England, in August, 1887. All
manner of preparations were made to re-
ceive her. Flags and banners were fly
ing carpets laid for her to walk and drive
over, and other things to honor her. The
empress remained in her private car and
sent word to the townspeople that when
they furled their flags and took up their
carpets she would leave her car, and not
before. And she had her way.
She called herself Mrs. Nicholson. anC
she lodged in a little three-story hotel
Her rooms were over the barroom. Sht
: passed the greater part of her time or
a fishing boat which she chartered. or II
walking. She was then fifty years old
but there was no man who could keel
pace with her on her long walks. Sh,
looked not more than thirty-ffve. To th'
day of her death she preserved tha
eighteen-inch waist which was one o.
her vanities.
She went in swimming nearly every da!
when the weather was fine. She was
powerful swimmer and often went fa
out from shore, much to the concern o
her suite, who seemed to have nothing Il
do. k
Why this queen should have incurred
the enmity of Italians is not quite plain
for she did not, has been said, concern
i herself in political matters. But certain
ii is that she was insulted and attacke'
! on the Italian shores of the Lago-di-Gard
| in 1890.
The empress had undertaken trip t
, ! Merau and had chartered a launch t
make a circuit to Lago-di-Gardi. Whel
she landed with her ladies and gentlemel
| | at a small Italian town at the southerl
extremity of the lake she was greeted b
the inhabitants with Kisses and hideou
) howls. So menacing did the attitude o
the mob become, and so vile and outra