The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-08-20
EUGENE.
Ersn NY. y. Void.
- rxpErss AEp EgoEa1 agrnAsck

FTUsfs ~ y. 4 &. WVyhIs ....
EXPREss AND KEGENT 1PFlABCES
II is we'll known that the Empress
Eugene has taken most active part III
the drama which Is now 80 rapidly deve+
oDing in Europe: that she has been most
energetic in advocating the present war
against PnlssiSs arrogance, and inaSmuch
a. she may possibly sUccunb 70 the terri
bic strain upon her physical and mental
powers, great as they undoubtedly are, q
sketch OF her life may be acceptable at this
iuncture. The Empress Eugene was born
a Counties Theba de MontijO, and is a
direct descendant Of an ITishmaR ~ name
Of Kirkpatrick, a merchant Of wines and
fruits al Malaga. kirkpatrick had four
daughters, Of whom the youngest was
distinguished already at an early age, not
only BY her great beauty, but by her ex.
traordinary talents and compliShments.
Accident made her acquainted with q
former Spanish officer OF artillery, the
Count dc MOntijo. He was poor, but
belonged TO the Oldest aristocrScY OF
Spain, and Miss kirkpatrick remov-4
cd TO Madrid, and entered the high.
est social circles as Countess de
Moniio. Eugene the present Empress
OF the French, is one OF her daughters.
The Countess Theba dc MOntijo, E1genie'S
mother. by degrees became one Of the
leaders Of fashion at Madrid, and at her
entertainments were 10 be met the leading
men Of the times-diplomatiSts, authors,
artists, politicians, and all were constant
" 10 be seen at her brilliant sOlrees, for
the Countess was not only beauty, but
also most talented, witty, and accom-
plished lady. She had great influence at
court, and her two daughters, beautiful
and accomplished Ike herself, we're carly
in life appointed ladies Of honor TO Ism
bella H., QAeen Of Spain. The elder
daughter was married to the Duke Of
Alba, o nObleman Of high degree, and one
OF the Oldest and and proudest names Of
the Spanish aristocracy. 1t is said that
he hesitated long upon whom he should
confer his hand, titles, and great wealth,
and it seems that while HI, lOyed the Older
sister best and finally married her, he was
most beloved by The younger. F1genie,
the present Empress On the evening on
which the betfothal was made public
by her mother to q brilliant company of
guests assembled, she retired suddenly TO
her own apartments, and, after search had
been instituted for her, she was found
senseless upon her bed with an empty
facon alongside Of her. Medical assist
ance was Ut once summoned, and they
succeeded, In saving her life, but up 10
this day, IN consequence Of 1t, she Is sub.
tect TO nervous attacks, and often sue
cumbs to kind Of nervous depression
which gives her sad and ltstless look. al
though i only makes her great beauty
the more attractive and interesting. She
always had numberIess admirers, and
many offers of marriage, amongst them
not only Spanish and French nOblemen
Of the highest degrees. but also royal
prince Of. the house OF Orleans, but she
declined Them all.
On a Yisit to Paris, in 1s40, in company
OF her mother, she participated ina hunt
on horseback. Al Compeigne, where
Napoleon first saw her, she attracted his
attention at once by her glorious beauty,
royal bearing, and the accomplished and
bid style Of riding her horse-a full
biooded Andalusian. Napoleon was cap.
tiyated; after while proposed and was
accepted. r..