Visit to Bozen by Crown Prince Archduke Ferdinand

Tyrol.

Bozen, 31 July. On the 29th of this month, the city of Bozen had the good fortune to welcome H.R.H. Crown Prince Archduke Ferdinand into its midst during his journey through Tyrol and Vorarlberg, where His Royal Highness remained until 6 o'clock this morning before continuing his journey via Kaltern and Neumarkt to Trient. Simple yet warm were the reception and all honors rendered to this most serene prince, and the general joy was enlivened by his very gracious and benevolent reception of them. Rural arches with an avenue of conifers set in rows leading up to the highest lodging quarters, the mortars fired from all sides, and the arrival of Landesschützen from the surrounding villages provided the most serene prince with the finest proofs of heartfelt joy and sincere devotion to the Austrian ruling house. Shortly after his arrival, His Royal Highness was pleased to grant audience to all civil and military authorities as well as the clergy, then to watch the coopers' dance (Bindertanz) with flag waving from the balcony, and to listen with evident pleasure to the evening music played by the city's amateurs. - The following morning, July 30, H.R.H. graciously accepted the proposal for a short excursion to a nearby height up to the ruined Haselburg Castle of the Counts of Sarnthein. An open-air site chosen with an imposing view over the entire surrounding area of the Etsch and Eisack valleys, the crowd gathered on the neighboring hills, and the very well performed instrumental and vocal music by local amateurs, together with a very clear morning – in short, everything combined to prepare the pleasure which H.R.H., through his special cheerfulness, heightened in the hearts of all present. Thereupon, His Royal Highness was pleased to inspect the church in Gries and, on the way back, the Gugler dye works, which is particularly notable for a wood-cutting, smoothing, and mangling machine, to hear Mass at the main parish, and to spend the morning and afternoon visiting other administrative and school premises. After the midday meal, to which the senior officials had the honor of being invited, the most distinguished schoolchildren of this city enjoyed the good fortune of being presented in the finest folk costumes of this district and received with pleasure by H.R.H. In the evening, H.R.H. was pleased to take a walk to the Drusus Tower and the waterfall near Bozen, followed by an inspection of the main shooting range and the Kaiserjäger company stationed there, which distinguishes itself as much by its good posture as its excellent discipline has earned general respect. On both evenings there was a general, simple illumination of the city.