Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-12
Succeeds Insane Brothers.


Luitpold was ninety-one years old, and
had lived long and useful life as a
great German military leader when he
was called upon, in 1885, to take the
throne OF bavaria, the second largest
state in the German empire. His call to
the regency was the result Of the in
sanity OF King Ludwig II and his brother,
King Otto.
Luitpold had devoted himself entirely
to his military duties and was unfamiliar
with court life. but he was highly re-
garded IN the courts of Europe. and he
took up his new duties conscientiously
and with painstaking cndeavor. He
quickly won firm place in the hearts
OF his people, who became accustomed
soon to calling him king" although
this was not at all to the liking of the
old-fashioned prince. mo, 1 am not
your king he frequently remarked. with
military mans gruff show of petulance,
II am only the regent"
Mode Of, Life Was Plain.
Like his friend the Emperor Franz
Joseph. Luitpold cared not a fig for the
frumperies Of his high position. His
mode of life was plain. He rarely, even
N his later years, departed from his
labit Of rising before sunup, and an ice
cold bath always preceded his breakfast
OF strong coffee and peasants rolls"
After breakfast his long-stemmed- per.
eeiain-bowled German pipe was charged
and lighted. and. except at mea. times. it
was rarely allowed to leave his lips dur
ing the day.
his days program was always the
same. At he devoted an hour to busi-
ness and then took long drive and
paid calls. which were in most cases un-
announced. Returning to the castle at
II, he received the state secretaries, aft
erWard taking a second and generally
very hearty breakfast
Avoided Functions and Theaters.
Further state business occupied him
until his 2 O'Clock luncheon, which was
followed by a short nap. Then came a
walk in the park or a drive to Nymphen-
burg. where he would often taken an
other cold bath. Supper almost invari-
ably consisted of sausage, cheese and
beer. followed by the inevitable pipe, an
animated chat and bed by H.. The prince
always indulged in a stout Havana cigar
in bed before sleeping.
Luitpold avoided attendance at evening
festivities and the theater. He frequent
ly explained with a smile that he did not
care to deprive himself of his pipe during
Hunting was a passion with the prince.
He gave il every hour of his spare time.
jOurneying al over his kingdom in
search of various kinds Of game. The
hunt that pleased him most, however,
was that of the chanOis, in the Perch
tesgaden mountains.
Slept on Camp Bed.
While out shooting Luitpold gave small
IN V{o Le
Tyrolean highlander costume, with bare
legs and a feathered green hat on his
head. After long day in the open dur
inr which his hunger was relieved Occa-
sionally by a sandwich and a glass of
beer. he would turn in at night to a
rough wooden hut and sleep on a camp
bed, routing out the company early the
next morning to continue the sport.
Even when he was in his nineties he
rarely allowed himself the luxury of a
hunting cart or a pony. During these
excursions he always gave UP his Sun
days to religious observance. holding
mass in the open air amid the forest
pines. with great companies of peasants
as his fellow wOrshipers.
Son Louis May Be King.
AS a sovereign Luitpold did much to
increase the prestige and prosperity of
Bavaria. The royal income. which he
might have received as king. he devoted
TO paying national debts. and when urged
later to take the crown and title de-
clared he was too old to change
Ii has been declared that his son, Prince
Louis. probably would succeed him, in
which case 1t is not unlikely that he will
take up the title of king.