The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-30
THE MARcHroNEss oF1A HA1ErrE.
from the New York Herald.l

from the New York Herald.l
Few of the rising generation would suspect
that the lady who has borne for some twenty
seven years the sounding title ot marchion-
ess, and who has figured brilliantly as an
ambassador at various courts OF Europe, an
who has died at last at the head OF the palatial
residence of the Minister OF Foreign AfIirs OF
France, Vas once simple village maiden OF
the unpretending tate OF Rhode Island OF the
name OF FoWle. Such. however, wss The fact;
but it was her fortunate destiny to rise, like
the first Catharine of Russia, far aboye the
career she was apparently born to Ill. At an
esxly age she went over tC London to reside
with an elder sister, who was married to an
opulent American banker. Timothy Virgins,
whose house was afterwards involved IN the
financial disasters Of 1887. While still IN her
teens the beauty, intelligence and accomplish
ments Of Miss Fowle attracted the admiration
OF Mr.. Samuel Welles, then the sole American
banker in Paris, who subsequently married
her. For some ten years she presided with
infinite grace, tact and dignity over the ele-
giant manson of Mr. Weiles in the Place st.
George, and her dinners and balls were the
enned resort not orly OF the fashion able
Americans residing IN Paris at that epoch, but
equally 80 Of all that were most distinguished
in the society, literature aud art OF the French
capital. In the ca'amitious yelr OF 1857 the
banking house of her hu band was seriously
compromised and his faiiuru was daily expect
ed. Mr. Welles made desperate efforts to re-
sist the pressure. but III vain, and bis fortune
and position were trembling on the brink OF
utter ruin. At this crlsls his wife, with an
energy characteristic oil her motherland, drove
to the Bank Of France ob.aluel al interview
with Count dArgout, tbs Governor, submitted
to him the ample, though oppressed securities
Of her husbands porteJPu1'e. and by her forcl.
bic and moving statements effec. ed loan OF
several millions Of francs, which tlded the
house Of Welles d c.. ov,r the yawnlng gull
of bankruptcy. In 1911 ur. Welles died at a
advanced age. leaving nls large fortune to his
At the close Of the following year Nine. Welles,
then in the meridian Ut lite, handsome and
d,stngue woman Of the World, married the
Marquis de la Valette, Already rising member
of tie diplomatic corps. In making THIS match
Nine. Welles displayed her habitual discern
'ment for while others beueld in the Marquis
only brilliant man OF fashion, she recognized
those commanding traits which have raised
him successfully to the highest posts III the
State and SO :ured for him the uabounded con-
fidence OF his lmDerlal muster, WAC, finally.
has bestowed on Ii m the cruwaing guerdon OF
his satisfaction by exal5ng Lim to the Pre-
miership OF France. From this Lofty position
which her rare esprit a.d varied experience
eminently fitted her TO I'D jrn but which her
declining Health disableI her to enjoy, the
Marchioness ds Ia Va,ette dcscends, full OF
honors, to the grave. In the height OF her
prosperity and surrounded by tho glitter and
pomp of power she Was Always gracious and
hospltable to her couutl ymcn, and never ln-
different 10 the welfare Ut her native land. Her
son and heir, the Count We.es do Ia .Yalette,
married two years sirce q daughter OF nd.
Rouhar, the Achilles of the French Cabinet
and the most gifted or,t,r Of the empire.