Imperial Visit to Meran

Austrian Monarchy.

Meran, 26 Aug. Their Majesties Emperor Ferdinand and Empress Maria Anna have arrived in Meran on a visit to their uncle, the Most Serene Archduke Rainer, who, to our general delight, deigned to take up a stay of several months at Castle Winkel, situated close to the town.

On the 22nd, at a quarter past 11 in the morning, the ringing of the great bell from the parish church tower announced the approach of the beloved imperial couple, and at half past 11 Their Majesties were received with the utmost reverence before the lodgings "zum Erzherzoge Johann", amid the tolling of all bells and the firing of mortars, by the k. k. District Captaincy, the k. k. District Court, the clergy of the town of Meran and the surrounding communes of Mais, Allgund, and St. Peter, by the town magistrate and the municipal committee, as well as by the communal heads of Partschins, Allgund, Gratsch, Tirol, Ober- and Untermais, Schenna, and Marling. - The burgomaster of the town of Meran extended a welcome to His Majesty the Emperor, and girls from the boarding school of the Institute of the English Ladies presented, accompanied by short addresses in German, French, and Italian, a bouquet and a monogram – and to His Majesty the Emperor a wreath – of flowers. For the ceremonial reception, the civic guard and a company of peasant riflemen in their handsome traditional dress with 2 musical bands were also drawn up on the square before the lodgings. As soon as Their Majesties appeared at the window, the two bands alternately played the imperial anthem, followed by a demonstration of the popular flag-waving.

Thereupon, His Majesty the Emperor deigned to receive the formal greetings, and the District Captain Franz Kopp immediately presented to His Majesty the officials of the District Captaincy and the District Court, the clergy, and the town magistrate together with the other communal heads. The District Captain, the District Judge, the Very Reverend Dean, the burgomaster, and the two captains of the parading companies then had the honour of being invited to dine at the imperial table.

After dinner, His Majesty, accompanied by His Imperial Highness Archduke Rainer and his illustrious sons, made an excursion to the ancestral Castle Tirol. In the evening upon their return, the large square before the lodgings was illuminated and the band performed a serenade.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, His Majesty visited Brandis near Lana, an estate of His Majesty's Grand Master of the Court, Count von Brandis, under archducal escort.

On the 24th, there was a grand dinner with His Imperial Highness Archduke Rainer at Castle Winkel, after which the illustrious guests proceeded to Castle Schenna to view this property of His Imperial Highness Archduke Johann.

On Sunday the 25th, Their Majesties dedicated the day to the Lord with attendance at church in the morning and afternoon, and in the evening a torchlight procession with a serenade was offered to Their Majesties. After the singing of the imperial anthem, prolonged general cheers rang out for the Imperial Majesties and the Most Serene Imperial House.

Today, at half past 9 in the morning, Their Majesties set out on their return journey via Bozen to Innsbruck, as natural disasters had severely damaged the bridges and roads through the Vinschgau.

For the farewell reception, all authorities and the clergy were gathered under the direction of the District Captain, and the town of Meran learned from his mouth with reassurance the expressions of satisfaction conveyed to him by His Majesty regarding the stay of the imperial Majesties there, to which the hope may also be attached that the illustrious personages have not graced Meran with their presence for the last time.

The highlight, both during the reception of Their Majesties and throughout the stay as well as upon their departure, was the illustrious family of Archduke Rainer, to whom the town of Meran also owes the fortune of having been able to venerate the beloved imperial couple within its walls for so long.

Emperor Ferdinand the Benign and the revered Empress Anna, following the inclination of their hearts as everywhere, marked their presence here with deeds of charity, having 400 fl. CM. handed over to the District Captain for the communes of Algund and Gratsch afflicted by natural disasters, 200 fl. CM. for the impoverished residents of the town of Meran, and an additional 100 fl. CM. for the musical bands.

Our love, reverence, and gratitude accompany the noble imperial couple on their return journey, and our prayer ascends to heaven: preserve Ferdinand and Anna for a long – long time yet!