The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-04
Miscellaneous.
From Chambers Journal.
Sophia of Wolfenbuttel.


story, is translated from the NovELLE Nor
ALI of Francisco Soave,
Caroline Christina Sophia, of Wolfenbuttel
sister of the wife of the Emperor Charles VI,
was united in marriage TO the Prince Alexis,
son and presumptive heir of Peter the Great
Car of Muscovy. In her were mingled
the fairest gifts ofnature and education; love-
", graceful, with penetrating and cultivated
mind, and soul tempered and governed by
virtue; yet with these rare gifts which soften
ed and won every other heart she was never
theess an object of aversion to Alexis, the
most brutal of mankind. More than once the
unfortunate wife was indebted for her
life to the use antidotes to counterfeit the in
sidious poisons administered to her by her
husband AT length the barbarity of the
prince arrived at its climax; by an inhuman
blow, he reduced her to so wretched state,
that she was left for dead.-He himself fully
believed that which he so ardently desired,
and TRANQUILITY departed for one of of his villas,
calmly ordering the funeral rites to be duly
celebrated. .t..r.
But the days of the unfortunate princess
were not yet terminated. Under the devoted
care ofthe Countess of Konigsmark, her lady
ofhonor, who had been present at the horr-
bic event, she slowly regained health and
SUGugliy WuUG utT uCllllOus ODSeNllJtS were
magnifcently performed g. honored through
out Muscoyy, and nearly all the European
courts assumed mourning for the departed
princess. The wise and noble Countess of
Konigsnlark, renowned as the mother ofthe
brave Marshal of SaXony, perceived that by
seconding the fortunate deceit of the
prince Alexis. 81 the nation i'll general, 81 not
proclaiming her recovery, rhe unhappy prin-
cess Caroline, already the sport Of such cruel
fate, would expose herselftoperish sooner or
later by a more certain blow.She therefore per
suaded her wretched mistress, who had scarce
ly strength to undertake the journey,to seek
refuge in Paris, under the escort ofan old man,
Alderman domestic. Having collected as much
money and lewelry as as she was able, the
princess set out,with her faithful servant who
remained with her, in the character of a faith
err, which he sustained during his life; and
truly possessed the feelings and tenderness,as
well as the seinbance ola parent.
The tumut and noise of Paris, however,
rendered it place of sojourn i'll adapted to
the mind ofCaroline and TO her desire fcon-
ceaiment. Her small establishment having
been increased by single maid servant, she
accordingly embarked for Louisiana, where
the French, who were then in possession of
this lovely portion of North America, had
formed extensive colonies. Scarcely was
New Orleans, than she attracted the attention
ofevery Que. There was in that place a
Young man named Moldask, who held an Of
flee in the colony; he had travelled much in
Russia, and believed that he recognized the
fair stranger; but he knew not how to per-
suade him self that the daughter-in-law of the
Gar Peter could in realtybe reduced To So
low condition, and he dared not betray to
any one his suspicious Of her identity.
He offered her supposed father his friendship
and assistance; and soon his attentive and
pleasing manners rendered him so acceptable
to both, that mutual intimacy induced them
to DIN their fortunes, and establish them
selves in the same habitation.
It was not long before the news of the death
Of Alexis reached them through the public
journals. Then Moldask could no longer
conceal his doubts of the true condition of
Caroline, and finding that he was not deceiv-
ed, he offered with respectful generosity TO "a
bandon his pursuits, and to sacrifice his pri-
vate fortune, that he might reconduct her to
Moscow. But the princess, whose bitterest
moments had been there passed, preferred
atterhcr adventurous flight, to live far away
IA tromthe dazzling splendor ofthe court,in tran
NJ Aquiliy and honorable obscurity. She thank
M cd the noble hearted Moldask; but implored
81 him instead of such splendid offers, TO pre-
serve her secret inviolable, SO that nothing
& might trouble her present felicity. He prom
\ lsed and he kept his promise; his heart ear
nestly desired her happiness, in which his
own felicity was involved. Living under the
same roof in daily communion, their equal
age, and ardent feelings kiudled in the young
mans soul livelier name than mere friend
n ship; but respect controlled it, and he con
ceaed his love in his own bosom. -.
At length the old domestic, who in the
4 character of father, had shielded the princess
q died, and was followed to the tomb by the
"A sincere griefof his grateful mistress---a just
recompense for such fidelity. Propriety for
babe that Moldask and Caroline should in.
habit together the same dwelling after this
n event. He loved her truly but loved her goot
fame more, and explained to her,not without
n grief, that it was necessary he should seel
another abode, unless she, who had alread,
renouncedal thought ofpride and rank wer'
content to assume a name dearer and mor'
sacred still than that of friend. He gave he
n no reason to believe that vanity instead OF
\ love was the origin of his proposal, since tn,
Is princess herself was firm in her desire to re
main happy in private life. With all delcac,
M he sought to assure her that he could not blu
remember, in case ofarefusal, that it wa
scarcely undeserved. Nor could he ever for
\ get how much was exacted from him, by tina
almost regal birth of her TO whose hand b
thus dared aspire 1880. =. ..4.a .,,- +.
Love and her defenceless condition, Undue
ed the princess willingly to consent; and il
constituting his felicity, she increased her owr
Heaven blessed SO happy union; and in du
time an infant bound still closer the marriag
tte. Thus the Princess Caroline, born ofno
3ble blood, destined to enjoy grandeur, homage
keven a throne; having abandoned the magnii
cence of her former state, in private lif
FULFILLED all the duties of nature and of socie