The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19
NOBLE AUSTRIAN PRODIGAL.
Count HOditz-ROsWHld, Friend OF the
Great Frederick.


,itIed Il es Souvenirs de vingt Ans de Sejour
peyIip by Dieudonn6 Thlebault. a Frenchman
rbo vas called to Prussia by Frederick the
Great 10 assume PROFESSIONAL chair In ms
revIv created military school. Thiebault
uaa A man OF uncommon gifts endearlng
him 20 every one with whom he was brought
IN contact. A favorite Of the King, in close
intimacy with all the diplomats accredited
n the Prussan court. his opportunities for
observation were exceptional, consequently
tho volumes in which he records his eXpe-
rsnces give in some respects the best account
sytant Of Frederick the Great and his court.
His work IL largely anecdotal. Among the
authors many studies OF character, that OF
Count Hoditz is the most minute. This
Austrian nobleman was OF a type now eX-
turt In a summary OF what 'Thebault
ras 70 say Of him II has been necessary TO
suppress many details This mars some
that the completeness Of characterization.
Count Hoditz- Roswad was the only son Of
a rich and distinguished MOTAvian noble
man Tall. strong aud well propoTtioned
of noble and animated countenance, Of quick
Wit and ardent imagination. inventive and
original. he was a. boisterous morally a. no
vas distinguished physically. In youth he
vas 50 insubordnate that his father became
impatient. and when his education was
finished he was sent on TO travel. az much
10 get rid Of him as with any hope Of curb
ing his turbulent proclivities.
During his travels he met the Emperor
Charles VI. who made him one Of his cham
berlains This appointment increased, II
tBvthinE, his habitual insolenCe; among
other exhibitions of it he ordered his coach
man never to turn out for any one. One
day At Vienna he noticed a coach moving
slowly 10 advance Of his. He directed bis
driver 70 push by It. In the operation the
obstructive vehicle was overturned, throw
ing into the road its occupant. an old man,
in whom the Count recognized his father.
The son Immediately alighted to ask his par
don, but the old gentleman declined to listen.
svore that he would never again acknowledge
him and told him to so TO the devil Tor good
and ALL
Hoditz was not long in squandering the
money he had inherited from his mother.
He was in serious difficulties when fortune
bestowed upon him one OF her choicest fayors.
The DowaRer LandRravinn Of Beyreuth fell in
love with and married him. Although aunt
Of Frederick the Great, she was still young
and possessed wealth which lifted the Count
above financial vioissitude. Either through
genuine affection or from sense Of Obligation
90 long as the Land gra vim lived HoditE was
model husband. When she died he had built
10 memory of her an antique mausoleum which
he visited with his entire household every
Saturday evening TO sing funeral hymns OF
which he was the composer.
few days after their marriage the Princess
expressed a desire TO bring about a recon
cation between her husband and his father
10 this effect they composed a joint letter
10 the old Count who answered that Whle
be felt highly complmented that such an
llustriOus woman should have condescended
20 marry a son who had caused him so much
sffiction, he would never consent 20 reoog-
determined young Hoditz to obtain by force
what was denied him by favor. ,-u..A
by their entire household, military guards
horses. wagons, a complete bdherte de CUISINE.
coaches and provisions, they travelled 9y
Count Their slow progress enabled the
latter to prepare for their coming. He sent
summons to all his neighbors 70 come to
he was threatened and against which he
was putting his castle in a state OF defence
The son, who anticipated some such move
ment, despatched his hussars to gather in all
Of bis fathers messengers who had been sent
couple arrived at the castle Il had been made
30 impreRnable that It's reduction could only
HoditS remembered that in one corner OF the
garden there was an old entrance door, partly
hidden by vines. This his guards demolished,
he court yards. all Of the lower story and
the Kitchens Of the castle; The old Count
Of the use OF his legs, made valiant defence;
but the attacking force was too numerous
he was driven TO his apartments on the second
floor, in which he barricaded himself. refusing
oil terms OF surrender. The victorious son
look possession Of all other parts Of the castle.
Every night and morning he sent message
10 his father requesting an interview. The
reply was always the same-eXpTessions OF
The son, he might go TO the devil These
pOuTpdriers continued for Two months when
The situation became intOlerable to all con.
cerned. The nhexibnity Of the father, deaf
10 the applications Of the Princess and %
he offers OF submission from the som made
imperative a final EFFORT at reconciliation.
The young Count. therefore, sent a message
10 his father 20 the effect that he was at last
we're vain; in consequences he was determined
10 take his departure; that y would De
Roswald without having seen her tather-in-
Law Therefore, to facilitate an interview
between them. he had decided to devote the
clear for the father to pass few hours in the
society Of his daughter-in-law undtstuTbed
The next morning early the court. Of the
castle was in attumult OF preparation Tor
The day hunt H9ntsmeni dogs, and 5 Se,
Toward midday when he was assured that
only the Princess remained IN the castle.
her. quickly followin in an arm chair car
RED by two domestics who were then or
,S to- retire. The c3nyerfistiion between
tectOnately spontaneous. Each was deeply
Interested in L when the sound OF horse &
Old Count OWNED that il was his retqrni4S
son be emotlQn this caused s1d1o o my
unsssted d to his Sn SpS art t he rs time
In years he had walked unaided He was
not mistaken. The son, whose spies hau IN
formed him OF the visit Of his sire TO the
Princess had fastened back to surprise him,
but when he reached her apartments he
found only the chair In which his father
had been seated.
The failure OF this nlse left but one more
word 10 be said, and thst-adleu. This the
young Count did in q note TO his father wherein
be told him that II he had not had the sats,
faction OF becoming reConcued he AZ le9Al
had had the consolation OF restoring TO hin
the use OF his legs. This pleasantly DID What
no amount Of applications and o1ers OF
submission had accomplished. The old Count
iorgave his son. and their reconciliation De
came cordial and permanent. -,
After the death OF his father. Count Hodlt7
devoted himself TO the beautifyinR OF biz
vast and beautiful estate at Roswald. Inc
Immense grounds, situated In q valley, Were
supplied with an abundance OF water IRON
The mountains. There were reproductions
Of the gardens Of every nation; elysian helds
Hnuque German tOmbs, tunnels. lndlan
pagodas, grOttoeS, canals, sunken foeos
and the mausolenms Of the Princess ana o.
his father; a village Of dwarfs who lived II
houses three feet high; cascades, iountaln'
and all sorts Of eccentric Inventions; auton
atoms Of all kinds put in motion by hydraull'
power, Initiating in their actions the move
heLts OF actual life. -,
The castle was no less provided with mar
Vels The cellars were cut In the solid rock
chseued In statuary; In other parts OF thet
There were artificial mines, and hydraul'