Ludwig II. in Daily Life
When Bavaria in 1880 celebrated the seven hundredth anniversary of the
House of Wittelsbach, the King declined to have any festivities. He
issued a proclamation from his highlands in which he declared that
he felt himself one with his people, and at the same time expressed
the wish that a charitable institution might be founded in honour
of the day. His decision not to show himself aroused, and justly,
very great disapproval.
Some years prior to this occurrence the Palatinate kept the anniversary
of its fifty years' union with Bavaria. Ludwig had promised to be
present. At the last moment he sent an excuse, although this circle
had proved its loyalty to him in the most brilliant manner during
the war of 1866. He absented himself under the pretext of illness,
which, however, did not prevent him from starting for Switzerland
the same day to visit his friend Richard Wagner.
The last period of his life excepted, he performed punctually his
duties of governing; and he was particular that they should never
be postponed. Apart from representation, which he declined, even his
opponents were obliged to confess that for a great number of years he
faithfully fulfilled his kingly duties. At the beginning of his reign
he had been in the habit of rising early; but it was not long before
the division of his time became exceedingly strange. He now seldom
showed himself before midday. When at his country residences the
documents which it was necessary for him to sign were sent to him by
express messenger, who left Munich every morning and returned every
evening. As a rule, his secretary accompanied him to these seats,
and no inconvenience was remarked in the different departments on
account of his absence. During the warm summer months the affairs of
state were at times conducted in the open air. Tables and chairs were
arranged on a lawn covered with Turkey carpets. Large bouquets of
flowers were placed before the King's chair. The secretary read the
documents out loud. The King made his decisions, said good-morning,
and disappeared as quickly as he had come. The secretary's position was
not an easy one. When Ludwig was under the influence of his ill-humours
he would be annoyed at the most harmless looks and expressions, and
often sent him letters late at night in which he demanded explanation
for a single unguarded word. At the same time, he was eager to give
him pleasure when he was satisfied with him, frequently surprising him
and his family with photographs, books, and other articles of value.
When residing at Hohenschwangau during the autumn months, the King
was in the habit of driving out every night in his handsome carriage,
or his sledge which was decorated with allegorical figures. His
equipage rushed like a hurricane through the villages and the dark
woods, past snow-covered mountains and deep precipices. On these
excursions his life was sometimes in danger. One stormy night the
out-rider, who could not distinguish the road from the chasm beside
it, was seized with panic, and throwing his torch away, rode blindly
forward. Ludwig's life was saved as by a miracle. When in Munich he
would drive every day to the "English Garden," where he was in the
habit of walking quite alone under the old trees, with his hat pulled
down over his eyes. He was possessed by a morbid fear of assassination,
and this explains the fact that he was always accompanied by mounted
gendarmes when he drove through his capital. On the few occasions
when he showed himself in public he walked exceedingly stiffly,
with his head thrown back. Those whose sentiments towards him were
unfriendly looked upon this as a sign of megalomania; the greater
number of others considered his carriage proud and kingly. The truth
of the matter was that he had a bad carriage, and an uncertain and
tottering gait, which he thus endeavoured to hide. When he talked with
strangers he always allowed them to stand at some distance from him,
because it displeased him that they should remark his bad teeth;
he was jealous of his reputation as the handsomest monarch of Europe.
His meals he nearly always partook of alone at an inconvenient table in
his study. When he gave audience in the afternoons, he would sometimes
eat while the secretary held his lectures. As he was never punctual,
his meals had to be kept hot for hours together. As many as twelve
courses were served, but, as a rule, he ate only of one. It has been
said of him that during his latter years he indulged to excess in
strong drinks. This is not in accord with the truth. As a rule, he
drank only Rhine wine with water, or champagne, in which fresh scented
violets had been placed. Heady wines he never drank, as they induced
in him a rush of blood to the head. His valet had orders to place
a glass of cognac on a table by his bedside before the King retired
for the night; but, as a rule, it stood untouched the following day.
To give presents was a positive mania with Ludwig. It was his delight
at Christmas to surprise everybody, from princes and princesses to
every single servant of his household, with gifts. Nor did he forget
old teachers whom he had been fond of, or those whom he had met on his
way and liked. Long before Christmas he would cause inquiries to be
made for articles of the most varied description, and these were sent
to Hohenschwangau or Neuschwanstein, where his rooms were transformed
into a bazaar. Masterpieces in industrial art ordered by King Ludwig
were executed at Munich, in Paris, and in Switzerland. As the motifs of
the gifts he distributed were often taken from the poetical tournament
of the thirteenth century, and at other times were in the fashion of
the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, those who worked
for Ludwig became conversant with the most varied styles. He was so
impatient to see the works of art that he demanded their immediate
completion. Many heads and hands were fully occupied in executing his
orders, and he contributed much to the development of art industries.
The sums with which he rewarded insignificant services were, like his
other expenses, little in proportion to the Bavarian King's income. In
the case of accidents and charitable purposes he was seldom appealed
to in vain; but far greater was his generosity performed in secret. Out
of his own purse he moreover paid as long as he lived all the pensions
and assistance which his father had granted.