Ludwig, the second King of Bavaria, is, -it is said,
about to abdicate in favour of his brother Otho, a lad of nineteen. The House of Wittelsbach seems to have a talent for abdication, this being the second within twenty years. The King's grandfather abdicated lest he should imperil his dynasty, but he himself gives no reason except that he is bored to death. He looks like a crowned Shelley, and probably is one, music supplying to him the place of poetry. He is artist to the core, and the duty of governing, improving, and making happy four millions of people devotedly attached to him wearies him inexpressibly. He wants to study and compose in retirement, and so surrenders a crown which he has always declared to be the greatest of .conceivable burdens, except a wife. Common people will probably think his choice somewhat ignoble, but after all Bavaria is no worse off than if he had died,—and kings, it is credibly reported, do die.
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