King Ludwig and his Servants
The friend of Ludwig's childhood, Count Holnstein, had made himself
well-nigh indispensable at the Bavarian court; and in order further
to increase his power he had filled the situations of personal
attendance on the King with soldiers of light horse belonging to his
own regiment. This system was abetted by the Master of the Horse,
Hornig. The greater number of the grooms engaged by him knew nothing
of the formalities demanded by a court, even though that court was
a recluse's and the King an eccentric. Before they entered on their
duties they were accordingly instructed in deportment by the royal
ballet-master, and taught propriety of speech and elocution by the
court actors.
These inexperienced soldiers were now set to wait upon a selfish
and exacting Monarch, to serve him at meals in proper fashion, and
to assist him at his toilet, although they hardly knew the names of
the articles in his daily use. Their helplessness, which is easily
to be understood, called forth violent outbreaks of temper on the
King's side, and several times he allowed himself to be so carried
away that he lay hands on them. Upon occasion he struck them with
his riding-whip, and it is said that he once emptied his teapot over
the back of one of his lacqueys. He had an unreasoning dislike of
plain faces. One of his father's confidential servants displeased
him so much in his childhood by his unattractive appearance that he
always turned away when the man entered the room, although he knew
that his action caused Maximilian great annoyance. Nevertheless his
personal footman, Mayr, who managed to stay with him longer than any
other servant, had an exterior which was extremely displeasing to
him. His face alarmed him; and he ordered for long periods at a time
that he should appear before him in a mask when waiting upon him at
meals. Ludwig could not endure this man, and often said that he had a
premonition that Mayr would bring him bad luck. Nevertheless he could
not do without him, the lacquey understanding well how to please his
master. On the forehead of another footman, who was often guilty of
one or other piece of clumsiness, the King placed a seal of wax, and he
was forbidden to enter the presence without this sign of his stupidity.
Although Ludwig's servants suffered from his irritable temper, he was
at other times a far too lenient master, heaping his subordinates
with presents and marks of favour when he felt he had done them an
injustice; and when he found it necessary to send one away always
providing for his future. One of his personal attendants became
seriously ill. Ludwig visited him and found his home without any of
the conveniences of life. He asked him why he did not move to a better
and more healthy place. The sick man answered that his means would
not allow of it. The same day he sent him a present of a considerable
sum of money, and later raised his wages.
Every year, on Twelfth Night, he was in the habit of giving a
servant's ball at his hunting-box, Pleckenau. It has been said that
each of these festivities cost him 40,000 marks, although the gifts
he had distributed did not consist of anything of greater value than
eatables and beverages. All classes of his servants were his guests;
the whole day was spent in festivity. The King amused himself by
looking on at their enjoyment; and it is said sometimes took part in
their amusements. This, as well as several other assertions regarding
his private life, are an exaggeration and not in conformity with the
truth. An incredible spirit of indifference reigned in the household;
his subordinates abused his kindness and enriched themselves in a
simply astounding manner. One of his servants, when in a state of
intoxication, shot a workman; the care of the latter in the castle
was paid for out of Ludwig's purse, although the occurrence was hid
from his Majesty, it being known that otherwise he would certainly
have dismissed and punished his servant. While the "Most Gracious"
was living in his world of dreams, taking heed for nothing, his
servants amused themselves the livelong night.
The King refused all permission to see over his castles. This
proscription, however, was not respected, and without his knowledge
relations and friends were continually shown round. Even those who
had no connection with the household had only to express a wish, and
the servants at once acted against their master's orders. If he heard
the noise made by these strangers, those about him understood how to
convince him that he was mistaken; and did he remark strange faces,
received for answer that his nearsightedness had deceived him.
He became at last so weary of his surroundings that he gave his
orders through closed doors; a scratching at the wall denoted that
these orders had been understood. The few of his subordinates who
were permitted to enter his presence had to stand bowing low, and
refrain from looking at the King. Or again, he would give his orders
in writing. He commanded that these papers should be immediately torn
up; but his servants nevertheless preserved every line from his hand,
and made use of them in due course as weapons against him.