Ludwig's deposition and violent death called forth stormy debates in the Bavarian Chamber. In order to convince the world that his treatment had been justified, the Ministry revealed without mercy the development of his disease; and eminent alienists were unanimous in their declaration that for several years his mind had been clouded. But to this day there are many among his people who do not believe it. Bavaria has not forgotten King Ludwig, and the traits of geniality and kindness, by which he won all, are still spoken of with love. In those parts where he mostly resided the remembrance of the "romanticist on the throne" dwells fresh and warm in the hearts of the people. The sources made use of in the writing of this book are as follows:-- Professor Dr C. Beyer: "Ludwig II., König von Bayern (Ein characterbild)." Brachvogel: "Ludwig II., König von Bayern." I. L. Craemer: "König Ludwig und Richard Wagner." Craemer: "Die bayerrischen Königsschlösser im Wort und Bild." Das Ministerium Lutz und seine Gegner. Dr Franz Karl: "Der Character Ludwig II." Dr Karl von Heigel: "König Ludwig II. von Bayern. Ein Beitrag zu seiner Lebensgeschichte." Louise von Kobell: "König Ludwig II. von Bayern und die Kunst." Louise von Kobell: "Unter den vier ersten Königen Bayerns." Friedrich Lampart: "Ludwig II., König von Bayern." Graser: "Die letzen Tage Ludwig II." Dr F. C. Müller: "Die letzen Tage König Ludwig II." Otto Gerold: "Die letzen Tage König Ludwig II." Sailer: "Die Bau und Kunstdenkmäler Ludwig II." Dr Hans Reidelbach: "Characterzüge und Anekdoten aus dem Leben der bayrischn Könige." I. von Türk: "Die Königen-Mutter Marie von Bayern." Zeiller: "Enthüllungen über die Sektion und die Todesart König Ludwig II." Dr W. W. Ireland: "The Blot upon the Brain," "Studies in History and Psychology," etc. etc. The book rests furthermore upon personal reminiscences from a visit of length to Munich, and on verbal information from German friends who spent their summers in Hohenschwangau in the 'Seventies and 'Eighties. THE RIVERSIDE PRESS LIMITED, EDINBURGH. NOTES [1] Otto was born on the 27th of April 1848. He is the present bearer of the title of King of Bavaria. [2] According to tradition, a knight by the name of Schwangau was the original builder of the castle. Another account, which is probably quite as near the truth, connects the name of Hohenschwangau with the legend of the Knights of the Swan. [3] The Archduchess Maria married some years later the second son of Queen Victoria, Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. [4] In a dedication of the pianoforte score of Die Walküre (July 1864). [5] Semper some years afterwards made use of the same plan, though somewhat reduced in scale, when he built the Richard Wagner Theatre in Bayreuth.