The Bavarians are weary of their King. He has of
late years busied himself exclusively in castle-building, has spent his accumulated fortune, and has pledged his Civil List of 2245,000 a year for debts exceeding a million sterling. He has, moreover, refused to sign any documents, and passes his time in wandering from castle to castle, as if pursued by some terror. The physicians report that he is not sane, and an arrangement has been made to proclaim Prince Luitpold, uncle of the King, and an old soldier, Regent of the Kingdom. This was announced to the people on Thursday. On the same day King Louis was placed under a gentle restraint in Hohen- schwangau. It has always been doubtful whether King Louis was slightly mad or a genius, and his eccentricity of late years has developed till, whether mad or not, he is incompetent to reign. It is not probable that the change will cause any disturbance, for the Bavarians are weary of their King, Prince Bismarck sanctions the arrangement, and the Austrian Government, which for ages has hoped to attract, or conquer, or inherit Bavaria, is in no position to interfere.
Previous page
