The Van Buren press., 1873-01-28
The FL. Empress Eugsnie.

Eugene Marie de Cuzman, countess OF
Teba, ex Empress OF the French and
widow Napoleon, was born at Malaga,
in Spain, May 5, 1926 Her mother was
Donna Maria Manuela Kirkpatrick, OF
Close burn, countess Lcwagcr de Monti-
20, whose father was English consul At
Malaga at the period Of her marriage
with the Count de Montijo, an officer In
the Spanish army connected more or loss
closely with the houses OF the Duke do
Frias, Representatives OF the ancient ad-
mirais OF Castillo, OF the Duke Of Fyars
and others OF the highest rank, including
the kings of Arragon. On the death OF
Count de Montijo his widow was lett q
fortune adequate to the maintenance OF
her position and two daughters, one Of
whom married the Duke Of Alba aud
Berwick, lineally descended from James
II and Miss Churchill. For Eugene, the
second daughter, a still! higher destiny
was reserved In 1851 the Countess To-
la, accompanied by her mother, paid
heightened visit TO Paris, and was distin-l
guished at the various entertainments
given at the Tuilcriss by the dignity and
elegance Of her demeaIfor, and BY great
personal beauty, Of the aristocractic Eng
lish rather than tho Spanish style. Her
mental gifts were not less attractive; for
her education, partly conducted in Eng
land, was very superior 10 that generally
bestowed upon Spanish women. who
seldom quit their native cointry. Short
ly after the opposition OF the higher
northern powers had put an end to the
idea of u union between the Emperor
Napoleon III and the Princess Garcia
Wasa, Of Sweden, he apprised the coun-
ell Of ministers Of his intended marriage
with the daughter ofthc Countess Monti.
jo--a measure which excited some dis
approval among them, and even led to
their temporary withdrawal from office.
During the short time which intervened
between The public announcement OF tho
approaching event and its realization,
the Countess Tcba and her master took
up their abode in the palace Of the
Elysec. The marriage was celebrated
with much magniticcncc on January 20,
1853, at Notre Dame The life OF the
Empress Eugenic from the time of her
marriage to the breaking out ofths Prus-
sian war was comparatively unevcntful,
having been passed chiefly in the oldina.
~ routine OF state etiquette, in visits to
the maissons de plaisaaee, varied by the
extended progress through France In
company with her husband; by an an
nual sojourn tor the benefit of her health
at Barritz, in the Pyrenees, the favorite
resort of her family in the days OF her
girlhood by a journey 10 England or
Scotland in the fall OF 1861, and in 1864
to some OF the German baths. She be-
came mother of all heir to the house OF
Bonaparte March I6, 1855. Accompanied
by the Emperor she visited the cholera
hospitals in Paris, October, 1868, and
her conduct on this occasion was very
highly commended. In July, 1869, she
proceeded to the east TO attend the open.
ing of the Suez canal. She was the guest
alto rnatrly OF the sultan and the khedive,
and the .Jstes in her honor were Of the
most dazzling Oriental character. Alter
the departure OF the emperor for the
army, in July. 1870, she assumed the re-
gency aud held it until the disaster of
Sedan became known in Paris, when the
angry and bewildcred popnlace surround
rounded the Tulcrics and the unhappy
empress, in terror Of her life, 6sd with
the prince imperial in disguise to Eng
land. She took up her residence as
ChisclhGrst. where she was soon after re-
Joined by the emperor.