Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-09
His Gifts to Charity.

He commemorated his eightieth birth
day by distributing generous gifts among
a number Of charitable institutions: he
raised several Of his faithful servants to
the peerage; bestowed four hundred dec
orations upon men whom he was delight
ed to honor, and granted pardons to
twenty convicts who were under SEN
tence of death. He spent the day at his
mountain villa at ~Ischl in the Tyrol,
where the year before he entertained
King Edward VII Of England and the
nearly his age and has suffered almost
as much sorrow.
These two conspicuous figures In his
tory made striking picture when they
came together at that little mountain
hamlet The emperor received his guest
in person at the railway station. and as
she alighted from the car, he bowed his
venerable head before her and touched
her hand with his lips.
Seventy-two members of the imperial
house OF Hapsburg gathered at IschI to
participate in the celebration Of the an
niversary, and after simple dinner this
family party gathered In the drawing
room Of the emperor's villa to witness
grandnieces and nephews Of little
operetta entitled THE Homage OF the
Alpine Plants" written for the occasion
by his youngest daughter, the Arch
duchess Maria Valera. wife OF. Franz
Salvador. archduke Of Tuscany: It con-
sisted of four acts with tableaus. dances
and songs. The Archduke Franz Karl
took the role Of the god Of the flowers,
and a dozen or more OF the children.
representing different Alpine plants. UNI
der his leadership. paid homage to
Francis Joseph as the king of the forest:
The dramatic arrangement was devised
and directed by the master OF the I'M
perial Opera House at Vienna, the music
fx,
same place. and the audience was limited
to members of the imperial family and
a few ladies and gentlemen in waiting.
Peace in Last Days.
Notwithstanding the frequent scandals
and uuarrels that have occurred In the
house of Hapsburg during past years. ev-
erythine now seems to be at peace, and
every one ought to join In the prayer that
the last days of the kindly old man may
not be disturbed by domestic disorders.
His private life has not furnished a shin
Ing example to his descendants, ana MS
relations with the late Empress Eliza
beth were no more peaceful or happy
than those Of his children and grand
children with their wives and husbands
His domestic affairs have not been ideal,
but the people OF Vienna. VINO venerate
him, boast that he has never had but
one mistress and that he is devoted to
her vet, which, believe. is strictly true
This woman, who supplanted the en-
press in his affections forty or nifty
Years ago, Is still living, and he Is said
to visit her almost daily whenever he Is
at his capital. The emperor may there
fore be commended for his constancy II
it is necessary to criticise him from other
points Of view.
and LOYALTY toward his ministers ana
other civil and military ofiicials. who for
three score years have assisted MN IN
building up mis- empire. He has had de-
shown his appreciation in every posi-
Bile way, but, at the same time. those
who know say that he has never COM
pletely revealed himself to any human
ter. and while susceptible to influence
and willing to receive advice, he has
never intrusted the fortunes OF his
dynasty to the arbitrament Of others, or
permitted them to decide important cues
tions that affect his subjects. When
ever he has yielded his own opinions or
made concessions to his opponents, 1t has
been q voluntary act and not from pres
sure and no one has ever been able to
move him from q purpose which had
become fixed in his mind. Those who
know speak of his kindly treatment OF
every one that serves him, his fatherly
interest in the young men OF his court.
his unfaiiing courtesy to the humble and
the great. his UNAFFECTED piety, his pa
thence, his keen perceptions and the
ceaseless vigilance Of his mind concern
ing political affairs, and all these char
acteristics Of the man have background
of majesty.
Change in Policy.
The political opinions and, policy Of
Francis Joseph have been modified in an
extraordinary manner during his reign.
He began sixty-two years ago as an
autocrat and his efforts for many years
were to deprive his subjects OF what they
considered their constitutional rights and
liberties. He employed the most vigorous
military measures to crush the spirit OF
not bow to his will. During the latter
portion OF his reign. however. he has be-
come one of the most liberal and gener-
Gus Of European monarchs. yielding more
and more power and authority to his par
liaments and responsibility to his minis