the Golden Bull, the boy was also elected King of the Romans. Doubtless these premature honors were the cause of much of the incompetency of Václav, and the dire misfortunes that came to the country because of it. Death of Charles IV.Charles IV died in 1378, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was buried in the cathedral at Hradschin, where his body rests to this day.
In regard to personal appearance, Charles IV was rather small and thick-set; Personal Appearance.he was somewhat round-shouldered, his head and neck thrust forward; his face was broad, his features coarse, his eyes large. He dressed in plain black broadcloth, without any ornamentation whatever, his coat being buttoned up to his chin. His favorite pastime was whittling. He whittled on all occasions, even when sitting as judge and listening to the most serious cases. At times it seemed that he was paying more attention to his knife than to the pleadings of the counsel; but the decisions he gave proved that he had not lost a word.
In the management of his domestic affairs, Charles was economical to stinginess; but in great undertakings he showed a generosity truly princely.
In affairs of state he listened patiently to his counselors, but generally acted according to his own mind, and a decision once reached was held as final.
Although five centuries have passed since this Father of Bohemia lived—and since that time fearful storms and changes have come over the country—yet, at the present time, no one can travel over the land without meeting on every side works that perpetuate the name of Charles IV, rendering it dear to every Bohemian heart.
