National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-01-20
A Bit of Secret History.

His Majesty, Dom Fernando, father o
the King of Portugal, somewhat surprised
European Courts, rs well as his immedi
ate friends. by sudden marriage
eighteen months ago, with Miss. +.
Hensler. to whom he had been much
attached duriug nine previous years.
She was born in Boston, of respectable
German parents. in humble life. and
educated III Italy for the operate stage,
blythe aid of "A few liberal patrons of art,
who had discovered her precocious talent
for music and fine voice After com
pleting her studies abroad. she returned
10 the United States, but failed to reach
t'e eminence of which her early youth
had given cheerful promise. Seeking
another field for professional success, she
Went again To Europe, and In 1860
became attached to the opera at Lisbon,
where the widowed King ConSort WAS
tirst attracted by her beauty, vivacity and
other charms Then began the acquain-
tnce which terminated III her becoming
.tle wife Of Coburg who had shared the
throne OF Portugal with Donna Maria III.
just previous to the marriage, the Duke
OF SAKE Coburg conferred upon her the
even a nominal connection with the past
or with her American nativity.
Although the Court and society of
LlSbon were at first inclined to rebel
against this m6sdiii0nce, us ii was called,
they have since become fully feconciled,
and the Countess today occupies a
position only second to that of the actual
Queen. Her husband, naturally enough,
eXerted all his influence to accomplish
this result, and he has been well seconded
by the tact and talent of the person most
immediately concerned in establishing
social distinction.
hat repeated overtures were made by /
Pnm and his colleagues to induce Dom |
Fernando to accept the throne of Spain .
is no secret They were urged with .
unusual zeal, and were seconded 10y the .
support of the British and French Gov
ernments. He refused to give any
encouragement to these proposals, and
an effort in that direction, made in the
early part of 1869, only few months
htlore his marriage, was repelled with
So much decision as to be considered even
rude TO the Spanish people. There is
the best reason for believing that his de-
clslon on this subject, conceded with the
oWnlon if not with the direct counsel,
OF the present Countess. His connection
win the Spanish throne was considered
concluded by that emphatic refusal II
but after the marriage came social
embarrassments and new ideas, which
the Government at Madrid was prompt ,
10 seize upon, in the hope of overcoming ,
the prejudice of Dom Fernando. by the
temptation of high honors for his wife, {
VINO by a transition to the Court of r
Madrid, would become the equal. if not {
tNe superior of those who had welcomed a
ner with coldness, and not from choice. t
me Spanish minister of Lisbon was |
u to approach His Majesty with
"eilcate suggestions, and found him a
Nliling to entertain the subject so that k
informal negotiations were opened, and C
Hade considerable progress last Spring. v
Dom Fernando proposed certain con n
unions, perhaps with view of ultimately 81
nictating the terms for a matter which
was much nearer his heart, as will appear
N N the sequel For example, he required c,
u .lat the crowns of Spain and Portugal p
lnolld never be united on the same RI
Iead seeking by this means to preserve s,
.Iie throne of Portugal for his son ard p
MS = descendants. After some discussion @,
ne spanish Government accepted the d
ltlon, with this modification, Eek n
ePt II IN the course of time, the two ra
'a'lohs aIl should spontaneously agree upon fc
sovereign" &c. te
Dom Fernando refused to adopt any s.
eservatlon on that point. He also de- q,
lanued =, that ertain amendments should +
: made to the Spanish Constitution d,
lore accepting the throne but the L
'oVernment at Madrid objected to sub of
i.t e. mat question to the Cortes until a,
,ver MS election as King. These nego- ca
"llons occupied several months, and le,
ele once or twice suspended entirely as
!. oLeless but renewed by friendly
q sISehtlon. I Finally they were broken h,
u altogether, and the causes already ,h u,
a'eu "a |, were assigned as the reasons of y"
out persons who are familiar with all tb,