AN EMPEROR WASHING THE FEET OF OLD MEN.
On Maundy Thursday the Emperor of Austria went through the animal ceremony of washing the feet of twelve old men. In former times the ceremony was double, as the Empress washed the feet of twelve old women ; but of late years Her Majesty's health has not permitted her to endure the fatigues of this function. The ceremonial takes place in the throne room ot the Palace, and is preceded by the serving of a meal in four courses to the almsmen. The dishes are placed on the table and removed by the Emperor and the Archdukes. There is no eating, but the dishes, plates, glasses, napkins, and covers are all placed in boxes, emblazoned with the .jmperiai arras, and these are. carried.
to the residences of the old men. A prayer is then intoned, and the right leg of each man being Wed bj Court servants, the Emperor kneels, and 'pours a |ittle -'water put of a.;golden basin over each man's foot, and 4cqn* : eludes his pious office by hanging a purse full of coins round every old man's neck. The -eldest of the old men was ninety-two and the youngest eighty-seven, . their combined ages amounting to one thousand and fiftyfour.
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Bibliographic details
Bush Advocate, Volume I, Issue 8, 24 May 1888, Page 2
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209AN EMPEROR WASHING THE FEET OF OLD MEN. Bush Advocate, Volume I, Issue 8, 24 May 1888, Page 2
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