The union Democrat., 1870-09-17
Che llnion pfmofrat.
rm,rc.. md .ssent Of France.
~O~N~
EussENIE,

I, il we'll known that the Empress Euge-
ME tas taken a most active part in the dra'ha
which il now so rapidly developing in In.
rome; that she has been most energetic in nd
vocating the present war against Prussia ar
rsgance. ami inasmnch as she may possibly
snccumb to the terrible srrain upon her n.ivs-
ir:.. AMI mental pawers. great as they und Lb'-
eily are. n -ketah Of her life may be accepta-
lie a, this junctnre. Tne Empress Eugene
was born IT Countess Iheha de Montljo.
md is direct descendant OF on Irishman
hs the name ef Kirkpatrick, merchant 6i
wines and fruits Mt Malaga. kirkpatrick
had four daughters. Of whom the youngest
was distinguished alreadv ut nm early age.
mt only by great hesuty. but hy her extraor-
dinary talents and accomplishments. Accl-
dent made her acquainted with former Span
i-ls officer of artillery. the Ccnnt de Montiio.
lie was poor, but belonged to the Oldest aris-
tocrasv 1T :spsIo. and Miss krkna'rick re-
moved 10 Madrid. and entered the highest so-
cial circles IA Cuuntress de Mnatiia. Eugenie-
the present Empress of the French. - ONE 81
her daughters. The Countess Theha de Mon
tiin, Eugenie'. mother. by degrees became
one of the leaders uf fashion Mt Madrid. and
at her entertainments were 10 be met the lead
ing men Of the timps-diplomati-ts, anthors.
artists. paliicnns- --all were constantly to be
saen Mt her brilliant soirees. Tor the Countess
was not only bsautifn'. hnt aiso mnst tai
en,ed. witiy rnd accommodated l.d7. She
hi great influence Mt Court. and her twc
daughters, beautiful md accomplished like
herself. we're early in life appointed ladies of
honor Ia Isabella III. Queen "f Scnir. The
cLipr daughter wa married to tie Duke of
Albo. n noh.man &c high degree, and one al
the oldest aud pr"udest names of the Spanish
aristoc-ary IL il said that he he>itated long
utmn whom he sknUli coLfer his hand. titles
and great wealth, nnd it seems That while he
Lived the older sister best. and finally marri-
ell her. he xas most beloved hy the Younger.
l.ugenie. the present Empress. On the even
inp If which the hetro,hal was made public
Ly her mother to a. brilliant company al
r,,rs,s assembled, she retired suddenly to her
own apartments, and. after Fearch had been
instituted far her, she was found senseless on
her bed. with an empty tlsgon alongside ot
her. Med cal assistance whs ut once sum
rnanel. and they succeeded in snving her life,
Int ur to this dnv. IN consequence "t It, she
j. subject ta nerv"ns attacks. and often sue
c,m bs IL u kind nf nervous depression which
gives her a sad and li-t,ess look, although it
only makes her great b"nn,y the more atirac-
tive and Interesting. She ALWAYS had num-
berless admirers. and many offers Of marri-
age, amnngat them not only Spanish and
French nohlemen Of the highest degrees. but
also. a royal prince Of the house Of Orleans, but
she declined them ali.
o. n visit to Paris. in 1910, in company Of
fer mother, she participated in hunt on
horseback At Comregne. where Napoleon
first saw her. she a,traete! his attention at
once hy her glorious beauty. rovai hearing.
and lie accomplished and bold style oi riding
her aorse Ia full-hloaded Andalusan. Ma
ro,eon was cn2tivated-after a while propos-
ed and was accented. |, is we'll known haw
admirably this highly-gifted and beautiful
woman las fulfilled thus lar the dnties Of
of her hich position. ANY one who has seen
Winterhalter's celebrated picture ut Eugene
and her Court will. without hesitation. award
her the prize far beauty. although every one
.f her companions il fairy in looks and
E,rm. Her lice ~ wife mud mother has been
singuhrly free from repr"ach. and not the
sli.h,sst stain cuuli heca>t cn her reru'atinr
She has stnoa hv ,he side Of Nar"lsnn rot on
ly asa yml wife. In, M rrliable friend.
n.s heen ~ % ol 'mether ~ his son. aud her
many great aud gah qualities will he nn-
louhedlv universally appreciated should he"
present severe illness prove f'a'. and should
she he removed from the present scene of
stlic.