H.I.M. The Empress of Austria. 279 



since. Nothing could be more sad, nor create 

 truer, deeper sentiments of sympathy and regret 

 than the tragic end of that noble Lady. 



I was told by one of the Empress' attendants 

 that she was a great Alpine climber, a recreation 

 the Emperor also much enjoyed, making arduous 

 ascents. On one occasion the attainment by His 

 Majesty of a peak of great elevation was related 

 to the Empress. Without comment she set out 

 and reached the same peak, and on a table of 

 rock Her Majesty deposited her watch and chain 

 and left them there until the Emperor ascended 

 again the next year. 



It is recorded in history that the Empress 

 hunted first with the Pytchley ; but that was not 

 the case. Wakefield Lawn was the meet where 

 Her Majesty remarked that ' she thought she must 

 come to see what it was like,' after the ex- 

 Queen had written in such glowing terms of the 

 sport. I must, therefore, claim for the Grafton 

 country the honour of introducing Her Imperial 

 Majesty to foxhounds in England. 



It may be said of that illustrious Lady that 

 charity and loving-kindness held possession of 

 her even unto death. 



