DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0117
Ch. I.
THROUGH ITALY.
89
both of the palace and the churches, is, as may
be expected, below criticism; and, when I
mention the great hall in the palace, I point out
to the traveller almost the only building· that de-
serves his notice. To this I will add another
object, that has a claim upon his attention far
superior to any that can be derived from mere
architectural beauty. It is a little chapel, erected
upon a very melancholy arid interesting- occasion.
It is well known that the Emperor Francis the
First, husband to the celebrated Maria Teresa,
died suddenly at Inspruck. lie was going to
the Opera, and while walking· through the pas-
sage from the palace to the theatre, he fell down,
and instantly expired. He was conveyed to the
nearest room, which happened to be that of a
servant, and there laid upon a miserable bed.
Attempts were made to bleed him, but to no pur-
pose; and it is stated, that for a considerable
time the body remained with the blood trickling
slowly from the arm, unnoticed, and unattended
by a servant of any description. The Empress,
who loved him with unusual tenderness, shortly
after raised an altar on the very spot where he fell,
and, clearing the space around, erected over it a
chapel. Both the chapel and the altar are, though
plain, extremely beautiful, and a pleasing mo-
nument both of the affection and of the taste of
the illustrious widow. This princess, then in the
THROUGH ITALY.
89
both of the palace and the churches, is, as may
be expected, below criticism; and, when I
mention the great hall in the palace, I point out
to the traveller almost the only building· that de-
serves his notice. To this I will add another
object, that has a claim upon his attention far
superior to any that can be derived from mere
architectural beauty. It is a little chapel, erected
upon a very melancholy arid interesting- occasion.
It is well known that the Emperor Francis the
First, husband to the celebrated Maria Teresa,
died suddenly at Inspruck. lie was going to
the Opera, and while walking· through the pas-
sage from the palace to the theatre, he fell down,
and instantly expired. He was conveyed to the
nearest room, which happened to be that of a
servant, and there laid upon a miserable bed.
Attempts were made to bleed him, but to no pur-
pose; and it is stated, that for a considerable
time the body remained with the blood trickling
slowly from the arm, unnoticed, and unattended
by a servant of any description. The Empress,
who loved him with unusual tenderness, shortly
after raised an altar on the very spot where he fell,
and, clearing the space around, erected over it a
chapel. Both the chapel and the altar are, though
plain, extremely beautiful, and a pleasing mo-
nument both of the affection and of the taste of
the illustrious widow. This princess, then in the