Plots
The influence of Count von Holnstein at the court of Bavaria had lasted
up to 1883, when he fell into disfavour. The reason for this is not
generally known. It has been said that he refused his assistance in
the matter of a loan; others again have declared that Ludwig gained
cognisance of certain deprecatory expressions which the Count had
made use of with reference to his master.
It will be clear to everybody who knows how difficult a matter it
is to appoint legal guardians of an individual's person and fortune,
that the step which it was now intended to take must have been doubly
difficult where a reigning monarch was concerned. Though his personal
relations with Ludwig had been strained, Count Holnstein had remained
in his post of Grand Master of the Horse. For a great number of years
he had had exact knowledge of the King's mode of life, and he was
in a position to procure a very large amount of weighty material by
which, if used as proof against Ludwig, it might be possible to attain
the desired end. As the King no longer associated with others than
his servants, there existed only three or four persons from whom any
information could be procured regarding his immediate past. Holnstein
undertook to treat with these persons, and they proved to be willing
to express themselves in the same spirit as himself.
The attendants on Ludwig's person were Mayr, whose name has been
previously mentioned in these pages, and a former soldier of
light horse, Alfons Weber by name. The latter, however, was kept
in absolute ignorance of the whole matter. Mayr, on the other hand,
was in unbroken intercourse with the leading circles in Munich; and it
was he and Hesselschwerdt, in addition to Count Holnstein, who adduced
the proofs that the time had come to place the King under restraint.
From the first half of the month of May the greater number of those
about him were prepared for an impending catastrophe. His creditors
became more and more importunate, his need for money more and more
pressing. As no prospects of assistance from any direction could be
seen, Ludwig determined to reassume negotiations with Rothschild. He
was now promised a loan of thirty or forty million francs, at four
per cent. interest, to be paid within a certain period of time. In the
event of Bavaria remaining neutral during a possible war between France
and Prussia, repayment of the sum would be remitted, together with
all further interest. In this manner the agreement was deprived of the
sting which might wound the allies in Germany; and no more was demanded
of the King of Bavaria than what, if necessary, he could subscribe to.
Hesselschwerdt, who had been the former intermediary between
Rothschild's secretary and his master, received orders from Ludwig
to proceed to Paris with a royal note of hand, and to receive the
money-prince's millions. At this juncture Count Holnstein suddenly
stepped forth. As chief of the royal stables he was Hesselschwerdt's
superior. He was aware that Rothschild's secretary had been in Munich,
and knew of the interviews the latter had had with members of the
House of Orleans. In expectation of what might arise, he had impressed
upon Hesselschwerdt that he must not undertake any task without his,
the Count's, knowledge, since King Ludwig, in the painful position
in which he found himself, might possibly allow himself to be led
into taking a step which might have serious consequences to the state.
When the negotiations were resumed in the month of May, Holnstein
had begun a course of baths at Karlsbad. Before his departure he
had strictly charged Hesselschwerdt immediately to inform him if
his journey to Paris could not be averted. The Count had added
threateningly: "Obey me, Hesselschwerdt, or you may pay dearly
for it!" Holnstein had hardly been a week at Karlsbad before he
received the expected telegram. He hastened to Munich, and summoned
Hesselschwerdt to him. The court functionary brought with him the
sealed writing which contained Ludwig's note of hand.
Without a moment's hesitation the Count carried him off to the Premier,
Dr von Lutz, and delivered into the latter's hands the letter to
Rothschild, which was sealed with the King's signet. This done
he sought an audience of Prince Luitpold, who, on the outbreak of
Prince Otto's malady, had become the person who stood nearest to the
throne. While he was conversing with the King's uncle, it was announced
that the Ministry desired an audience. A council was held. Ludwig's
letter was opened, and Hesselschwerdt was forbidden to undertake the
journey to Paris. Four eminent physicians were summoned. They declared
the King to be insane, and assumed his malady to be incurable.
There was now a plausible excuse for placing him under restraint.
A secret conference of the princes of the blood-royal met in
Munich. Against two votes it was determined that the King's person
should be placed under restraint and a Regency proclaimed, with Prince
Luitpold as Regent. The Ministry should remain in office. It was
desired to constitute the Grand Master of the Court, Count von Castell,
Ludwig's guardian; but he refused the melancholy task. Count Holnstein
was then appointed to fill this post. It was Prince Luitpold's desire
that the King should be informed of what had been decided upon before
the proclamation took place, to the effect that he might give his
consent to the new order of affairs.
Dr von Lutz simultaneously informed Prince Bismarck of the contemplated
loan in Paris, and of the fact that members of the House of Orleans
had played a part in the matter. The Prince gave the then French
Premier a hint of their attitude. A debate relating to the expulsion
of the Orleans princes was just at that time on the order of the
day in the French Senate. The terms of Bismarck's telegram let it
be supposed that the princes had desired to make use of Ludwig's
pecuniary difficulties in order to play a political part.
This information is said to have been the chief reason for the
expulsion of the Orleans family from France.