The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-23
A HERMIT SOVEREIGN.
Prince of Liechtenstein Has Never
Surrendered to Germany.

Hidden away in the eXquisitely pic
turesque and magnificent castle of Els
grub, in Moravia, an old world ruler
has just celebrated in solitude the 10th
anniversary Of his accession to the
throne. He is not insane. On the
contrary, he is one of the most intel
lectually brilliant as we'll as the most
kind-hearted of European sovereigns.
Yet during these 40 years he has been
practically invisible to the world No
one save his only brother and his con-
fidential secretaries and servants know
even what he looks like. and his sub
jects, like the rest of the people on
the continent, can only form conjec-
lures as to the nature of his appear
ance.
This hermit ruler is the reigning
prince of Liechtenstein, an independ-
ent sovereign, who, theoretically, is
still in state of war against Prussia.
For, when, in 1866, the various sover-
eign states of Germany were
called upon to array them
selves either on the side of
Austria or of Prussia, the Prince of
Liechtenstein cast in his lot with Aus
tria, boldly declared war against Prus-
STA, and put on war footing his army
of about 300 men.
After the conclusion of the cam
paign, says the st. Louis Globe-Demo-
GRAFT, Prussia concluded peace with the
various states that had taken part in
the conflict. 1,- ae
But somehow or other the principali
ty of Lieehtenstein was overlooked or
forgotten by Bismarck, and as if his
attention had been drawn to the matter
it would have resulted in a demand for
indemnities, the prince naturally fore
bore to call the attention of Prussia
nnOlnnf n 1,
concluded, therefore, between the two
countries they are theoretically still in
state of war.
Few people are aware of the reason
for this mysterious seclusion of the
Prince Of Liechtenstein, who, in spite
of the smallness of his dominions, is
one of the very wealthiest rulers of the
world. The fact of the matter is that
he is afflicted with an intestinal all
ment of such a character as debars
him from the societwssof his fellow
creatures and to render his isolation
necessary. fs
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 simnlv
overwhelmed with delicate attentions.
my iSNNi SCi eyes On L0elr host
throughout the entire time thev are
underneath his roof, and If they have
anything to communicate to him. thew
must do so by letter.
1t is very sad life, and yet that
1t has not rendered the prince a
misanthrope is shown by his bound-
less charity and philanthropy and by
the number of his scientific studies
and works, which have won for him
the honorary membership of the I'm
perlal Academy Of Science Of Austria.
He is close upon so years of age now
His next heir is his brother Francis
now Austrian ambassador at ST.
petersburg, and who will succeed NOT
only to his vast estates, but likewise
10 MS sovereignty Of Liechtenstein and
to his dukedom of Troppau.
Does your wife speak any languages
you do not understand"
"Two-baby talk and golf jabber. "
n 1nIv