Visit of Archduke Johann and preparations for the imperial visit to Merano

Austrian Monarchy.

Merano, 11 Oct. Yesterday, when night had already fallen, lively activity began on the Passer Bridge; glowing torches cast their bright light upon the various groups of the waiting crowd, above which rose high the green triumphal arch with its gleaming shields and fluttering pennants. A detachment of the civic guard, the music band, drums, and fife players stood on both sides of the street, and among them one could see the members of the united committees with their banner. It was all for the reception of an illustrious guest, the much-beloved Archduke Johann. Now the carriage rolled up: Mayor Haller expressed in his welcome the joy over this high visit to our national festival and dwelt in grateful memories of what His Imperial Highness had so graciously done for the Tyrolean riflemen over long periods. Finally, he spoke of the widespread participation of the marksmen and especially emphasized that the patriotic, loyal Fiemme Valley had sent many of its bravest citizens here, as whose representative he took the liberty of introducing Captain Agostini, the highly meritorious fighter of the recent past. The affable Archduke and Imperial Vicar greeted the captain as an old acquaintance, thanked for the reception prepared for him, and recalled in brief words that turbulent time when he had arrived in the land to organize the Tyrolean muster, which he would have gladly led had not higher duties called him elsewhere. Now, however, after an absence of nearly three years, he was returning to bring the dear Tyroleans his old heart! Amid cheers of long life from the thronging crowd and the sounds of the popular hymn, the distinguished guest proceeded to the hotel named after him. Today in the morning hours, the Archduke honored the shooting range with his visit, carefully inspected the premises, and, acknowledging greetings in his engaging manner, saluted many acquaintances standing around, among whom several residents of the Fiemme Valley were particularly noticeable. In the prize hall, His Highness admired the tasteful decorations, the apt inscriptions, and verses, bestowing warm praise above all on two targets: in one, Archduke Heinrich had shot a deep four at the laying of the foundation stone of the new shooting range; the other, one of this year's prize targets, depicts in a single landscape Castle Tyrol and the inn am Sand with the inscription:

"as neighborly by the ancestral seat rises the house am Sand,

so loyal to the folk ever stood beside the princely throne."

When the toast of honor was presented from the large buffalo horn, the Archduke remarked: "Next year, when I host the shooting match, we shall certainly drink from a handsomer horn, from an ibex horn; moreover, the gentlemen will assist me in putting on the festival as splendidly as possible, and so that the weather also favors us, we shall choose a somewhat earlier season, around the beginning of September."

You will readily understand what heartfelt joy these words of the much-beloved Archduke called forth. This afternoon, His Highness visited the estate of his son, the Count of Meran, Schenna Castle.

His Majesty Emperor Franz Joseph will, according to the latest reports, arrive here on the 15th of this month *). The shooting range owes to his grace a recently dispatched gift of 25 ducats.

The registration register, which is just now being closed, records the number of 634 riflemen. It is mainly due to the advanced season and the unfavorable weather during the first week that attendance was not higher. We count 17 center shots on the main targets so far. If I am not mistaken, in the last letter I reported 6 center shots and named the 5 marksmen concerned; I therefore supplement the remaining ones today, namely: Georg Mader of Steinach, Bartlmä Salzmair of Telfs - the latter vied for the center -, Joseph Gleirscher of Vulpmes, Thomas Oberschneider of Bozen, Joachim Unterplatzer of Kastelruth, Joseph Hartler of Natters, Franz Huber of Andrian, Michael Elsler of Meran, Peter Telser of Schlanders, Lorenz Meitlinger of Toblach, Anton Oberhaidacher of Bozen. I shall report the names of the corresponding marksmen in due course. The shooting match will probably be extended by a few days.

*) As is known, the travel itinerary has been changed.