There is nothing like this elsewhere in royal courts, nor anything like their religious observances, which will probably astonish my readers. The following statement appears to be authentic, and was given in the Sun:
On Holy Thursday the Emperor and Empress of Austria, in the presence of their whole court, of the Privy Council, the Diplomatic Corps, and the superior officers of the Vienna garrison, washed the feet of twenty-four poor old men and women, having previously served these venerable paupers with a plentiful meal, placing the several dishes before them with their own hands. After the old people had partaken of the good things provided for them by the imperial bounty, the tables were cleared by imperial archdukes and ladies of honor. Subsequently a purse containing thirty pieces of silver was presented by the Emperor to each of the old men, and by the Empress to each of the venerable dames, one of whom had all but attained her hundredth year, while the youngest of the twelve was a hearty octogenarian.
This religious rite is rarely seen in this country. It was celebrated on the twenty-first of August by the Primitive Baptists of Hillsville, Va., a mountainous region of South West Va. There were about 800 present, some coming from hundreds of miles. “The preliminary exercises were singing and exhortation or discussion, the speaker first announcing some point of doctrine or religious thought. The hymns were lined by reading one line only at a time. The arrangements for administering the ordinances were circles of seats, those allotted to the sisters being in a double row and facing the brothers, who were seated in a single row. Within the circle was another seat for the ordained and officiating elders. There was a table with bread and wine, and under it were buckets of water, basins, and towels. The bread and wine were first passed around by the officers of the church, after which came the feet-washing. The elder who began the ceremony drew off his coat and vest, and girded a towel around his waist. He then began on the right, washing and wiping the feet of the brother at the head of the line, who in turn arose and remaining barefooted, performed the office to the one next him, and so on until the feet of all had been washed. The elder who was the first to perform the rite was the last to receive it. The sisters performed the rite in the same manner as did the brothers. At the conclusion the elders, while singing, passed around and shook the hands of all the brothers and sisters.”
King Humbert, of Italy, and his wife, are making themselves quite popular by their unassuming manners and sympathy with the people.
King Humbert objects to taking his pleasures at shows and exhibitions as a solitary; he likes his people to be present and share them with him. At the opening of the exhibition at Venice the king gave expression to his disappointment at the loneliness and emptiness of the halls. An official told him that the public had been kept out from loyal consideration for the comfort of himself and the queen. “I am sorry for this,” said his majesty, “though you have done it in good part; it is my belief that the king belongs to the people as well as the people to the king.” Before leaving the exhibition he recurred to the subject, again expressing his deep regret. “I hope that none of you believe,” said he, “that I am the sort of man who is shy of being seen among the people. I have no grounds whatever for such a feeling.”
King Humbert, according to an American Register correspondent, is known for his temperance in all things except that of smoking. It has often been noticed what an exceedingly small eater the King had shown himself on all occasions, and as to drink, his guests may have it in plenty, but his favorite “tipple” is water. His one great weakness was (for it is a thing of the past) a good cigar. He was a formidable smoker, but he abused his taste in that line to such an extent that he has taken a new departure and has “sworn off” from the fragrant weed. His nerves had begun to suffer, he had asthmatic turns, could sleep but little, and then had to be propped up by plenty of pillows. Some weeks ago his physician told him what was the matter, and King Humbert said: “From this day forth I will not smoke another cigar, or anything in the shape of tobacco.” His majesty has kept his word, and the result has been a most noticeable improvement in his health. King Humbert is a man of iron will, and no one doubts that he will keep his self-made pledge.
His wife, Queen Margaret, is soon to figure as an author—with stories founded on the legends of the Middle Ages. She speaks several languages and reads English literature, keeping herself posted on English views and politics. She is described as being devout but liberal, lovely and graceful, quite attractive, and much idolized by the Roman people.
The Queen of Roumania is a poetess of romantic sentiments, and lately underwent examination for a diploma, giving her a right to do certain teaching in the schools. In fact, all the continental queens are much brighter than Victoria.
THE REIGN OF PEACE.
We find another very pleasant indication of the coming peace that was psychometrically prophesied for all the world, before 1889, in the Central American States. Advices from Panama of April 25th, said:
“Of great present and future interest to the republics of Central America are the treaties recently accepted by the Diet, which assembled in Guatemala. The aim was “to establish an intimate relationship between the five republics, and, by making the continuance of peace certain, to provide for their final fusion into one country.” The treaty contains 32 articles, which provide that perpetual peace shall exist between the republics, that all differences shall be arranged, and that in the event of this proving impossible, such differences shall be submitted to arbitration. The idea which appears to have been prominent among the members of the convention was the establishment of settled rules, which, governing all the republics, shall simplify the government of each. The fortunes of each one of these industrial and agricultural States is so intimately allied to those of the others, that it really appears that they are destined to form one common nation.
“To prevent further shedding of blood the Central American Congress made provision, in case of discord, that the States at variance should agree upon an arbitrator. For this reason a nomination is made in advance, and regulations were drawn up in order to prevent, under any circumstances, the outbreak of war. Should, however, armed disputes arise between two or more of the republics, the others bind themselves to observe the strictest neutrality.
“All the republics bind themselves in the most solemn manner to respect the independence of each State, and to prohibit the preparation in any one of armed expeditions against any of the others, and that all citizens of the different States shall enjoy similar privileges and rights throughout all of them.”