Celebration of the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor in Bozen

Tyrol and Vorarlberg.

Botzen, 13 February. Yesterday, the supreme birthday of His Majesty our most gracious Emperor was celebrated also in this district town with those sentiments of affection and veneration that make themselves manifest everywhere across the provinces of the Austrian Empire on this festive day. The proclamation of the dawning day of celebration by church bells and mortar salutes; the assembly of all civil and military authorities in the parish church to attend the solemn divine service alongside the gathered faithful of all estates and to beseech the Almighty with prayers for the long, long preservation of His Majesty's invaluable life; the parade and volleys fired by the men quartered here of the Peterwardein First Field Battalion, so distinguished by their military bearing and precision; the solemn toasts raised to His Majesty's long life and the well-being of the most illustrious Imperial House by the authorities, dignitaries, and many private individuals gathered for a festive banquet at the Kaiserkrone, where they had already joined on the eve for a brilliant and joyous ball arranged by the local casino committee in honour of the high feast; the prize shooting, likewise staged in glorification of the day by the local marksmen's association; and finally in the evening, the singing of the beloved national anthem following an appropriate prologue in the festively illuminated and very well-attended theatre — were, on this solemn and cheerful occasion, the outward manifestations by which the inhabitants of Botzen sought to demonstrate their sentiments of boundless loyalty and heartfelt reverence toward His Majesty. We must also make laudatory mention of a generous benefactor who for years on this celebrated day, and thus again this year, endowed the Imperial-Royal garrison of this town with a copious gift of provisions, so that they too might conclude the day's celebration in pleasure and good cheer.