The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-21
From the Monthly Magazine.
THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE AND
HIS WIFE

Three or four times week received commands
to attend his levee, and unfrequcntly to break
fast-a meal which he commonly took about III o.
clock in the day. On these occasions he seemed to
take considerable pleasure in all could tell him of
England aud its modes and customs-ts army its
Capital, and its domestic and commercial resources
If on some Of these subjects confessed my igno-
rance he would eye me with doubling and suspic-
ious glance urge again and again the same
point, if he thought was unwilling TO explain,
or expressly reserved that of which confess l was
utterly ignorant; or he would dash up in a towering
passion break into incorporate expressions and
declare that ought to be ashamed of myself not to
be acquainted with statistics, which foreigners
knew well. In these sudden and unforeseen Excess
ses or passion, he with difficulty paciicd-a
task upon which never dared venturc--I could on
ly look on and listen in silence if his elegant and
amable Princess was present was not untreguent-
" the case, her graceful tenderness and endearments
chained down the storm she pctted like a froward
child, and with doubling pause or half muttercd
grow his good humor returned. This charming
and accomplished creature was his wife by one Of
those left-handcd marriages common and well
understood among the German princes, it al
ways a matter of surprise to me by what strange
freak of destiny being graceful, SO tender and
amiable in all the acts and movements of her life,
could have been linked to such monster, aud what
seems stranger STILL she loved him and thence per-
haps, the secret of her influence. have seen him
often playing with her long ring lets fondling in
his great paw the prettiest and whtest hand in tn,
world or kissing his hand to her at window witt
an air that actually approached to tcnderness.-Shc
indeed, was the only person who possessed any rea
influence over his mind, and her gentle ways coulC
sooth THE wild beast in his angriest moods sh,
would follow him as he stamped about the room
she expostulatcd, she wheedled she caressed; sh,
would try with tear in her eye TO make him laugh
and it would seem that, almost in spite Of himsel
the smile she sought anxiously came at bidding
he would look into her eyes, kiss her little hand
and seat himself again without another ausion Il
the cause Of the explosion. He seemed almost 4
encourage her interference and he played with he
as child would with doll but she was playthn
with which he never quarrced. He seemed proud
too Of her mental requirements, and he delighted i
the display of her accomplishments. Indeed, q
one time attributed it as principle cause why wa
so often invited guest at the Belvidere that it af
fordcd her the opportunity Of speaking English, a
accomplishment in which she excelled; she pos
sessed considerable fuency and that least possibl
smack of foreign accent which could not be other
wise than pleasing on the lips Of n pretty woman
Constantine took great pleasure in setting us talk
ing in that language-he rubbed his hands and lis
tened with evident qualification she pratted ava
i'm q tongue which he did not understand, and cou
tnued repeatedly to express his pleasure and salts
faction. His tenderness for this mild and gentl
being wns at least a redeemng point in his charac
ter, and his attachment repaid on her part b
the most devoted and entire affection. Poor thing
his death broke the slight cord which attached he
70 life whether it was that her whole SOUL her ey
istencc was wrapped up in him who had raised he
from comparative obscririty almost to n throne
whether il was tha, she missed the being who how