The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-09-10
Sketch Of the Empress Eugene.

The Empress Eugene, now so promi-
nent in the European world, was born a
Countess Theba de Montijo, and is a direct
decendent of an Irishman by the name of
Kirkpatrick, merchant of wines and
fruits at Malaga. Kirkpatrick had four
daughters, of whom the youngest was dis
tinguished already at an early age, not only
by her great beauty, but by her extraordi-
nary talants and accomplishments. Acct
dent made her acquainted with former
Spanish officer Of artillery, the Count de
Montijo. He was poor, but belonged to
the Oldest aristocracy of Spain, and Miss
Kirkpatrick removed to Madrid and
entered the highest social circles as Count
ess de Montijo. Eugene, the present En-
press of the French, is one of her daugh-
tiers. The Countess Theba de Montijo,
Eugenie's mother, by degrees became one
of the leaders of fashion in Madrid, and at
her entertainments were to be met the
leading men of the times-diplomats,
authors, artists, politicians, all were con-
stantly to be seen at her brilliant soireeS,
for the Countess was not only a beautiful,
but also most talanted, witty, and ac-
complished lads. She had great influence
at court, and her two daughters, beautiful
and accomplished like herself, were early
in life appointed ladies of honor to Isabella
IL, Queen of Spain. The elder daughter
was married to the Duke of Alba, a noble
man of high degree, and one of the Oldest
and proudest names of the Spanish aristoc-
racy.
1t is said that he hesitated long upon
whom he should confer his hand, titles,
and great wealth, and it seems that while
he loved the older sister best and finally
married her, he was most beloved by the
younger, Eugene, the present Empress
On the evening on which the betrothal
was made public by her mother to bril-
liant company of guests assembled, she
retired suddenly to her own apartments,
and, after search had been instituted for
her, she was found senseless on her bed
with an empty flagon alongside of her.
Medical assistance was at once summoned,
and they succeeded in saving her life, but
up to this day, in consequence of it, she is
subject to nervous attacks, and often sue
cumbs to kind of nervous depression
which gives her sad and listless look,
although it only makes her great beauty
the more attractive and interesting. She
always had numberless admirers, and many
offers of marriage, amongst them not only
Spanish and French noblemen of the high
est degrees, but also royal prince of the
house of Orleans, but she declined them
all.
On visit to Paris, in 1S49, in company
of her mother, she participated in hunt
on horseback. At Compiegne, where Ma
poleon first saw her, she attracted his at
tention at once by her glorious beauty,
royal bearing, and the accomplished and
bold style of riding her horse-a full
blooded Andalusian. Napoleon was capti-
waited; after while proposed, and was &C
cepted. 1t is we'll known how admirably
this highly gifted and beautiful woman has
filed thus far the duties of her high posi-
ton. Any one who has seen Winterhal'
ter's celebrated picture of Eugene and hel
Count will, without hesitation, award her
the prize for beauty, although every one OF
her companions is a fairy in looks and
form. Her life as a wife and mother has
been singularly free from reproach, and
not the slightest stain could be cast on her
reputation. She has stood by the side OF
Napoleon not only as good wife, but as a
reliable friend, has been good mother to
his son, and her many great and good
qualities will ever be undoubtedly univer-
sally appreciated.