The New York herald., 1869-03-25
Q y I = y Ar =.
The Marchfnme~~

The MarchfOness de la valettes
Few OF the rising generation would suspect that
the lady who has borne for some twenty years
the sounding title Of q marchioness, and who has
figured brilliantly as an ambassadress at various
courts Of Europe, and who has died at last al the
head Of the palatial residence Of the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs OF France was once simple village
maiden OF the unpretending state Of Rhode Island
OF the name Of Fowle. Such, however, was the
fact; but 1t was her fortunate destiny to rse like
the first Catharne Of Russia, far above the career
she was apparently born to dll At early age she
went over to London to reside with an
elder sister, who was married to an 0pulent
American banker, Timothy Wiggins, whose house
was afterwards involved in the financial disasters
OF 1887. While still in her teens the beauty, inte
gence and accomplishments OF Miss Fowle attracted
the admiration OF Mr.. Samuel weles, then the sole
American banker In Paris, who subsequently mar
ried her. For some ten years she presided with In
finite grace tact and dignity over the elegant man.
sion OF Mr.. Weles In the Place st. George, and her
dinners and balls were the enved resort not only Of
the fashionable Americans residing In Paris at that
epoch, but equally SO OF all that were most dtstin
guished In the society, literature and art Of the
French capital In the calamitous year OF 1887 the
banking house or her husband was seriously COM
promised and his failure was daily expected Mr..
but in vain, and his fortune and position were trem
bling the brink OF utter ruin At this crisis his wife,
with an energy characteristic OF her mOtherland,
drove to the bank OF France. obtained an interview
with Count d'Argout the Governor, submitted to
him the ample though depressed securities her hus
bands portejeutue, and by her forcibe and moving
statements effected loan OF several millions Of
francs, which tided the house Of Welles Go. over
the yawning gulf OF bankruptcy. In 1S41 Mr..
Welles died at an advanced age, leaving his large
fortune to his widow and their only son. then quite
o youth. At the close OF the following year Nine.
Weles then In the meridian OF life, handsome and
disttng,t6 woman OF the world, married the Marquis
de Ia vaette, already rising member Of the diplo-
matte corps. In making this match Nine. Wees
displayed her habitual dscernment. for while othArs
behed in the Marquis only brilliant man OF fashion,
she recognized those commanding traits which have
raised him successfully to the highest posts in the
State and secured for him the unbOunded confidence
OF hts imperial master. who, finally, has bestowed
on him the crowning guerdon Of his satisfaction by
exaltng him TO the Premiership Of France. From
this lofty position which her rare esprit and varied
experience eminently fitted her to adorn, but which
her declining health disabled her to enjoy, the
Marchioness de Ia valette descends, full Of honors
TO the grave: In the height Of her prosperity and
surrounded by the glitter and pomp Of power she
was always gracious and hospitable to her country
men and never Indifferent to the welfare Of her
native land. Her son and heir, the Count Weles de
Ia yalette married two years since daughter Of NJ.
Rouner, the Achilles OF the French Cabinet and the
most gifted orator OF the empire.