The Pulaskian., 1919-11-28

The Wagnerian leanings, which we're
so important part of King Ludwig's
life, are evidenced again by series OF
frescoes, showing scenes from the life
of Siegfried, Tannhaeuser, LohengrlD
and Parsifal, and from the lives of
those two familiar figures in the "Meis-
tersinger," Hans Sachs and Walter
Won der Vogelweide, which adorn the
magnificent apartments of the third
floor In the gothic bed chamber, Wag-
ner again comes to the fore, for it is
adorned with scenes from the story
of Tristan and Isolde"
Product of Wild Extravaganza.
Linderhof, another of Ludwig's fan
tastic palaces, is some seventy miles
from Munich. Like Neuschwanstein, 1t
also is in the Bavarian highlands, sew
en- miles from the famous town of
Oberammergau, renowned all over the
world for its passion Play" Under
hof is in the rocco style, and was
built between 1869 and 1879, when
Ludwig was at the height Of his wild
career of money-spending. It's princi-
pal feature is the beautiful gardens
that surround it, which attract large
numbers of tourists, who combine a
trip to the castle with visit to Ober-
ammergau.
In these gardens is bronze eques-
TRAN statue of Louis XIV Of France,
evidence of the mad Bavarian mon
arch's hallucination that there was
something in common between him and
the great French ruler. This crops up
again In the decorations of the interior
Of the palace, which include series
of portraits of French celebrities OF
the time of Louis XIV and his sue
cessor Louis XIV. Ludwig did not for
get q statue of himself, which is one
of the adornments of the gardens of
Linderhof. Another object of interest
is an artificial grotto, with small
lake and waterfall, which visitors may
have Illuminated with electric light,
provided, however, that they number
at least ten; or, if fewer, pay for as
many as ten tickets-a good instance
of the frugality which ruled in Bavaria
following Ludwig IFS career of ex-
travagance.
Linderhof's gardens also boast a
kiosk, in the Moorish style, with sta
lastic vaultings.
An Imitation of Versailles.
The third of the series of Ludwig
IT'S "follies'' is Herrenchiemsee, an i'm
itation of the great palace of Versailles.
situated on an island in the Chiemsee.
small lake fifty-seven miles southeast
of Munich. Dollman and Hoffman, two
of the architects who built Neuschwan-
stein (the former also did Linderhof),
were engaged by Ludwig to design
Herrenchiemsee. They worked on 1t
between 1878 and 1885, but left it un-
completed, as by that time the Baya-
rians had had enough of the kings
wild ways and were getting ready to
lock him up.
Herranchiemsee is built on three
sides of square, in which are fine
fountains-without water, though. for
many years. In the vestibule is a
beautiful group of enameled peacocks
these birds were great favorites with
Ludwig. From the vestibule opens a
court paved with marble, on the right
Of which is staircase splendidly
adorned with marble. stucco and paint
ings.
The mad king never really enjoyed
any of his palaces. His malady grew
upon him from year to year, and he
spent much of his time restlessIy wan
dering from one palace to another, IN
| dulging in wild night rides without
definite aim, craving solitude.
AS early as 1880, sixteen years after
his accession to the throne, Ludwig's
extravaganza had brought financial
ruin upon him. and it became apparent
| that something had to be done to check
his follies. On the 9Th Of June, 1886.
he was adjudged insane.