The Washington herald., 1913-02-23

Bavarian High. Court of Justice. which
inquired into the domestic relations Of
i'rince George OF Bavaria, has declared
null and void the princes marriage with
Archduch,ss Isabella Maria of. Austria.
The decision has been confirmed by the
Prince Regent.
The marriage took place only a year
ago this month, and from the first there
we're serious differences between the
psir-the oficial announcement put 1t as
differences of character" few days
after the wedding the bride left Munich
for the native Vienna, but q reconcilia-
ticn was effected. Later on, there were
more differences" quarrel havins
arisen over the. important question Of
precedence" the Imperial Hapsburger
telling sighted over the place allotted
her among Bavarian royalties. when at
a certain court function, preference was
given another lady.
|. The princess again returned to Vienna
last June. In September Prince George
and his father tthe present Regent of
Bavaria) went to the Austrian capital
to make a final effort at reconciliation
with the aid of the Austrian Emperor.
hut without success In his disappoint-
ment Prince George returned TO Munich
and shut himself In a room l.. his palace.
Last November the wife filed a petition
for the annulment of her. marriage. The
princess. who is only twenty-three years
of age. Is a daughter of the Archduke
Frederic. Prince George is thirty-cne
years old. .-s.,
Admiral Won Hollmann, the predeces-
sor of Admiral Won Tirpitz as German
Naval Secretary. and who died recently
at his home in Charlottenburg. near Ber-
lin. probably was a much more impor-
tant and influential national figure in the
Fatherland. since his retirement in 1897.
than while in offfce. The Kaiser, for
years. had honored him with his friend
ship and maintained intimate relations
with the venerable sea fighter to the very
end.
When the Bible controversy was at its
height In 1903. the Kaiser wrote an auto
graph letter to Hollmann which Will al
ways remain an authoritative exposition
Of the Emperor's attitude toward reii-
gion. On the question Of inspiration the
Kaiser stated his belief that inspiration
was proceeding at the present time just
as in the Biblical period. and among the
inspired men of all time his Majesty
mentioned Babylonian law giver. a
Greek poet. and his own grandfather.
the first William.
service. he became connected with the
AlIgemeine Elektrizitaets Gesellschaft,
and In his capacity as chairman OF TINS
company was instrumental in bringing
the Emperor into personal connection
with many of the great captains OF Ger
man Industry and finance. Hollmann was
one Of the founders of the German Navy
League, but he severed his connection as
soon as the league became too -agitatory.
There is nothing quite touching the
man n-of-the-iron-mask mystery of France
in the annals of any other nation un-
less, perhaps. IL be the identity Of the
ma sked executioner who beheaded King
Charles 1 of England and who. after the
restoration. was said to have been Cornet
Joyce But l know different story IN
connection herewith. In the register OF
the White Chapel Parish Church Is re-
corded the burial Of Breshard Brandon
a rag man Of Rosemary Lane. who also
was the common hangman. Opposite that
entry some one had written He cut OF
the head Of Charles ]"
brandon, before his death. admitted
that they made him do 1t for thirty
pounds." which by a given Jest was paid
of in half-crowns. He added that he
took from the pocket Of the dead KING
an orange stuck with cloves, which he
sold to a royalist for ten shillings. IT
appears that Brandon died shortly after
partly from remorse and parity rom tne
effects of dissipation.
In one of the roofhs Of the Tower of
London can be seen some locks Of hair
cut OF when the head of King Charles
fell under the axe OF the executioner;
also his blood d-stained shirt. But there
is another and still more gruesome relic
in existence, a portion OF the severed
vertebra, which now rests In tiny
casket Of its own. placed on top OF the
beheaded Kings comm.
In the early spring of 1913. In the pres
ence of the British Prince Regent and of
the historian, Haiford. the comm Of
Charles L was opened and closed again
after a brief examination. What was the
purpose of the investigation Is not known,
outside of the royal archives at Windsor
After the coffin had been closed II was
discovered that a piece Of the vertebra.
inadvertently had been left out. This
the Prince Regent gave to Halford ana a
descendan: OF the historian presented the
relic to the late King Edward. who had
it placed in the tomb.
The first royal guest to be entertained
by the Duke and Duchess Of Norfolk at
their magnificent seat. Arundel. Castle,
since the forties of the last century. is
Princess Henry Of Battenberg, beatrice,
the youngest daughter Of Queen Victoria
and mother Of the Queen Of Spain0 1t
was in 1876, I believe. when Victoria. ac-
compared by the Prince Consort Albert
paid q visit Of several days duration to
the then ducal pair Of Norfolk. Sir
Robert Peel. then the Prime Minister. as
well az the Duke of Wellington. the
field marshal. were included In the house
party.
One who knew all sbout thu country
seats OF the great In Enxland In those
days described Arundel Castle a. mag
nincsntiy uncOnfortabIe: The I. gallery