The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-07

SATURDAY EVENING. OCT. 7. 1871
woOING AN EMpERoR's SISTER.

III VIII NC TclnclnDcIeu bidJ tilt 1Jll1pCTOT
William the First of Germany, Immediate
" after the preiminaries Of peace had been
signed at Versailles, sent to st. Petersburg
q telegram in which he expressed to the
Gar his gratitude for the friendly attitude
which Russia had maintained during the
progress of the Franco-prussian war, and
in which he frankly admitted that Germany
vas indebted to this sincere friendship of
her powerful Eastern ncighbor for the COM
parativcly limited dimensions of the gigantic
conflict. Unquestionably the political in
terest of Russia, and above all, her we'll
known policy in the Eastern question, have
mainly contributed to her partially for
Prussia; but not an insignificant share in
this partially must also be attributed to
personal considerations, to that near rela-
tionship which for upwards of half CEN
tury has existed between the dynasties of
Russia and Prussia; for Alexander the
Second, the present Emperor of Russia, is
q son of the Princess Charlotte of Prussia,
the sister of the present Emperor of Ger
many. =.
The betrothal and marriage of this prin-
cess with Nicholas, who was then only
grand duke, but became afterward Emperor
of Russia, forms one of the sweetest and
most romantic episodes in the world of Eu-
ropean courts, which is usually so devoid
Of love and romance, and would, on this
accoun. alone, deserve to be remembered,
quite regardless of the historical interest
which will henceforth adhere to all the
members of the family Of the conqueror of
France.
Princess Charlotte was born in the year
179S, and was the eldest daughter of King
IL ,.,.l ,,fD
and his beautiful and accomplished wife,
Queen Louisa. Her early childhood elapsed
amid scenes of terror and humiliation for
the royal family of Prussia, and nobody
would at that time have ventured to pre-
dict the brilliant career which Providence
kept in store for this child, born and
brought up under such fatal auspices. We
might, indeed, make an exception in favor
of her mother, who, with prophetic intui-
ton which seems to have been the distin-
gushing feature of that high-minded wo-
man, wrote one day to her father, the Duke
of Mecklenburg, the following lines about
her daughter:
Charlotte is given to silence and re-
serve, but under her apparent GOODNESS she
conceals warm and loving heart. Her in
difference and pride are but the dull outside
Di u tlldulOIlli Vi buc puItSJ WdIcT WHICH
some day will shine forth in its brilliant
luster. Her bearing and manners are noble
and digniied. She has but few friends,
but these few are warmly attached to her.
| know her value, and predict for her a
brilliant future, if she lives long enough"
The young princess was, indeed, q very
fral and delicate creature-one Of those
tender flowers which seem to wait for the
I'D ho Sc In r., i,.,., ~
them into warmer cline. She was charm
ing and handsome but her beauty was
rather that of pale lily than that of a
blooming rose.
Charlotte was just sixteen, when in the
year 1914, the Grand Duke Nicholas, on
his way to the camp of the allied armies of
France, passed through Berlin, and was
warmly welcomed as an honorcd guest at
the royal palace.
The description which those who saw and
knew the grand duke at the time have
given of the incompatible graces of his
person and mind, makes it easy for us to
imagine that the heart OF young girl just
budding into womanhood was captivated
and charmed by him almost at first sight.
Well he might have said like Caesar, 81
came. | saw, conquered" The princess
fell in love with him, and, fortunately for
her, the young grand duke returned her
love fully as paslonately.
Such is the tlattering portrait which his
contemporaries have drawn Of the personal
appearance Of the Grand Duke Nicholas ut
the time of his arrival at Berlin.
AT that time, however, the matclless
personal charms of the Grand Duke were
not enhanced by political prospects of the
most exalted character. He was not even
eventually considered an heir to the Impe-
rial crown of Russia. 1t is true, Aexan-
der the First, his brother, had no children,
but in case OF his death, which could not
be expected soon, the Grand Duke Con.
stantine was to inherit the throne of Peter
the Great, and leave to Nicholas at best but
the position ola first page of the blood. New
ertheless, Frederick William, charmed
alike by the beauty and intellect Of his
guest, and by the hope OF uniting the SOW
ereign houses of Prussia and Russia by the
closer ties of family union, greeted the
prospects of marriage between the Grand
Duke and his daughter with. enthusiasm,
especially when he discovered that the
young folks themselves were very fond of
each other.
The King then delcately insnuated to
his daughter that if she had liking to the
Grand Duke, and had reason to believe that
the Prince entertained similar feelings to-
wards her, their marriage would meet with
no objection on his part.
But the young princess, although secret
ly delighting in hope which so fully re-
sponded to the secret wishes of her heart,
was either too proud or too bashful to con-
Tess to her father her love for the grand
duke, who had not made any declaration
to her.
In this manner the day approached on
which the Grand Duke was to leave Berlin.
On the eve of his departure grand gala
supper was given in his honor at the royal
palace, and by way Of accident or policy,
the young Princess Charlotte was seated
by the side of her distinguished admirer.
The Grand Duke was uncommonly taci-
turn during the evening. His high fore
head was clouded, and his gloomy eyes
seemed to follow in the space vague phan-
toms fitting before his imagination. Re-
peatedly he neglected'to answer questions
addressed to him, and when he was asked
to respond to toast which one of the roy
al princes had proposed in. his favor, he
seemed to awake from profound dream
which had entirely withdrawn him from
his surroundings.
Suddenly, as if by mighty effort Of his
will ba t,,rnod to bis fair pnohhor and