The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-09-16
Euge1eie Before her Marriage aOitIt
Napoleon III.

Among the ladies attending the parties at the
Eysess there shone above all, the Spanish coun-
tees, Eugene Montijo, by the beauty and splendor
OF her toilette. She possessed the most dazzling
complexion, the fairness Of which We'd with the
driven snow, an abundance Of auburn hair,
shimmering like gold, and pleasant and express
sive features although conaoisseurs found her
eyes too small and her forehead not above criti-
csm. The contour of her face, as well as her
whole person, recalled the wsll-known portraits
of the unfortunate Mary Stuart to whom Eugenie
bore great resemblance. Her mother was de-
scendant of the respectable Scotch family of the
Kirkpatricks, who had, long period ago, emf
grated to Spain, and there carried on a lucrative
trade. She herself was noted for her gallsntry,
lady who travelled much and had an adventur-
Gus life. Her husband is said TO have been an
excellent Spanish officer, with whom, however,
she was not happy. She had two daughters,
who grew up under the surveillance Of such a
mother, whose gay disposition they shared. Un-
fortunately there was no want Of admirers =
among them the Duke de Alba, descendant of
the notorious general under Philip H., was pre-
ferred
When be decided in favor of the elder sister,
the slighted Eugenie, who was passionately en-
amored of her brother-in-law, took this disap-
pointment so much to heart that she attempted
suicide The poison not being strong or
powerful enough, however, TO kill her, the at
tendant physician socceeded in saving her life
Cared from her unhappy love- she plunged into
whirlpool OF dissipation. She visited theatres,
all public amusements, and became especially, n
constant spectator of bull-fghts. Besides that,
the fair countess entertained suitors, princes,
dukes counts, and other exalted personages -
but as none of these seriously applied for her
hand, Eugenie indignant at the fai;hlessuess of
her admirers, left ungrateful Madrid to seek
her fortune with better success abroad, where
she was less known.
For moment, it is said, she seriously contem-
plated renouncipg the world and retiring to a
convent. Only the prophecy of An old simple
minded nun, that Eugene was destined to adorn
a throne, kept her from carrying out her resolu-
ton. Instead of the convent, the fair Eugene
visited, in company with her mother, the prin-
cipal capitals and watering places, where both
were the cynosnre OF attraction among the ele-
giant gentlemen. In the year l848, while So
journing 10 London, she made the acquaintance
of Louis Napoleon, with whom she became so in
innate that he offered her his hand. But at that
time she declined the honor because the princes
situation and heavy debts did not give her the
necessary guarantees. "You will," she wrote
him on that occasion, "go to Paris and attempt
to reach power in France 10 become consul,
your end will you rest there Will this satisfy
your ambition Will you not want to obtain
more2 Certainly you will. How troublesome
would money be to you ! If a man wants to be-
come emperor he must keep the choice of an en-
press open. But il you should be unsuccessful
in your plans; if France should not offer you
what you expect, then, but only then, return,
and will answer your proposal. Then remem-
Der that heart beats in my bosom strong enough
to indemnify you for all grief for all disappointed
hopes"
With this letter she is said to have sent a pearl
necklace worth 5000 francs, by the sale Of
which the prince betrayed part Of the expenses Of
his candidacy. Immediately after his election
as president she proceeded TO Paris, where she
appeared for the first time at . chase in the Bois
de Compegne. Her graceful form, rendered still
more attractive by corresponding attire, her
beauty, and the boldness with which she man.
aged the fiery Andalusian steeds, enrAptured the
men and excited the envy Of the ladies present
The emperor never parted from her side, and
soon nothing was spoken Of in Paris but his
marriage with the charming Espagniole. Never
theless the emperor hestated, because his friends
and especially Persigny, as also his cousin Ma
thilde, opposed it, The latter is said to have cast
herself at his feet and entreated him to abstain
from his mesallisnce Instead of the Spanish
countess, the polish princess Czartoriska was sug-
gested but the accomplished Princess Lieven,
secretly consulted, decided ia favor of Eugenie
in these characteristic words "If mine be the
choice, prefer the Cach1cha IA Spanish dance)
to the Mazouka e. Polish dance') Shortly
after, the Monteur announced the impending
marriage Of the emperor with the countess Of
Montiio, in special manifesto.