Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-02-16
A Bit of Secret History.

Courts, as well as his immedial,
friends, by sudden marriage
eighteen months ago, with Miss
E. Hensler, to whom he had beer
much attached during nine previ
Gus years. She was born in Bos
ton, of respectable German pa
rents, in humble life, and eduea
ted in Italy for the operate stage,
by the aid Of few liberal pat,
rons Of art, who had discovered
her precocious talent for music
and fine voice. After completing
her studies abroad, She returned
to the United States, but failed
to reach the eminence of which
her carly youth had given cheer.
iul 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 first attached by her
beauty, vivacity and other charms.
Then began the acquaintance
which terminated in her becom-
irg the wife of a Coburg who had
shared the throne of Portugal
with Donna Maria II. Just pre-
vious to the marriage, the Duke
of SAKE Coburg conferred upon
her the title Of Countess DEla, SO
as to obliterate even nominal
connection with the past, or with
her American nativity.
Although the Court and society
OF Lisbon were at first inclined 10
rebel against this mesdzSance, as
it was called, they have since be-
come reconciled, and the Countess
to, day occupies position only
second to that of the actual Queen,
Her husband, naturally enough,
exerted all his influence to accom-
pIish this result, and he has been
well seconded by the tact and tai
ent of the person most immedi-
ately concerned in establishing
social distinction.
That repeated overtures were
made by Prim and his colleagues
to induce Don Fernando to &C.
cept the throne Of Spain is no
secret. They were urged with
unusual zeal, and were seconded
by the support Of the British and
French Governments. He re-
fused to give any encouragement
to these propos Is, and an effort in
that direction, made in the early
part of 1869; only a few months
before his marriage, was repelled
with SO much decision as to be
considered even rude to the Span
ish people. There is the best
reason for believing that bis de-
cision on this subject, conceded
with the opinion, if not with the
counsel, of the present Countess.
His connection with the Spanish
throne was considered concluded
by that emphatic refusal.
But after the marriage came
social embarrassments and new
ideas, which the Government at
Madrid was prompt to seize upon,
in the hope of overcoming the
prejudice Of Don Fernando, by
the temptation of high honors for
his wife, who, by a transition to
the Court Of Madrid, would abe-
come the equal, if not the superior
of those who had welcomed her
with coldness, and not from choice.
The Spanish minister Of Lisbon
was instructed TO approach His
Majesty with delicate suggestions,
and found him willing to entertain
the subject; SO that informal neg
citations were opened. and made
considerable progress last Spring.
Don Fernando proposed GER
tain conditions, perhaps with a
view Of ultimately debating the
terms for matter which was
much nearer his heart, as will ap-
pear in the sequel. For example,
he required that the crowns of
Spain and Portugal should never
be united on the same head, seek
ing by this means to preserve the.
throne OF Portugal for his son and
his descendants. After some dis
'cussion the Spanish Government
accepted the condition, with this
modification, except if in the
course of time, the two nations
should spontaneously. agree upon
sovereign, &c.
Don Fernando refused to adopt
any reservation on that point
He also demanded that certain
amendments should be made to
the Spanish Constitution before
accepting the throne; but the
Government at Madrid objected
to submit that question TO the
Cortes until after his election az
King. These negotiations occa
-z'sss,es