CHARLES OF HUNGARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 13

CHARLES OF HUNGARY.

A KING WHO DIED RICH. Charles 1., former Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, died in exile the other day, (says the “ American.”) Prom all accounts he ■was a harmless kindly man, devoted to his family, and without either vice or vioiousness. A few years ago he was one the great ones on earth. He died in poverty. Do you rememler the accounts of his coronation? They described a succession of gorgeous scenes of barbaric splendour, the panorama of the world’s history for a background, prelates of the church and potentates and ambassadors of the world’s Powers in attendance, jewels, beautiful women, brilliant decorations and festivities. A glorious cathedral for a stage. The world as spectators. And he put upon his own head the bejewelled crown of the Hapsburgs, which denoted untold power and wealth and prestige. He died in a rented house on a small island to which he had ben banished, with only his wife and son and a doctor at his bedside. His devoted wife offered her blood for transition to save him. “ Deposuit potentes de sede,” runs the old psalm; “ et exaltavit humilee.” “ He has put down the mighty from their seat and exalted them of low degree.” Cobblers and carpenters reign in the place of the last of the Royal Hnpsburgs. "Whether the change be for the weal or the woo of millions of people remains for time to reveal. Emperor Charles was glorified in the ej'es of his followers because he represented an idea. The idea has been brushed away—and the emperor with it. Providence decreed that he was to be humiliated and cast out. No man may resist the decrees of Providence. What memory of him shall remain with the future? A great achievement? A powerful personality? A builder, a doer, a thinker? Alas, none of these. Put some lonely soul, In future ages, happening upon the account of his career, may bow his head in a moment of reverence, with this thought: His wife offered to give her blood to save his lifeWhat more con life offer to a man?