Connecticut western news., 1874-01-23
A Woman Who Ruled.

Mrs. Westmoreland, in letter to the Atlanta Consultation, says : Through Dr. Deems learned that the celebra- ted Mrs. Eaton, who did the honors of the White House during General Jack sons Administration, still lived--was in this city, and was one of his congre gation. Naturally felt an interest in and some curiosity to see person who had played so conspicuous part ill the affairs of the nation at one time, and, learning that she was fond of company and would consider it no intrusion, called. In doing so was more forci- bly, reminded than ever before of what slaves we are to the caprice of fortune what victims to the vicissitudes of life, over which we have no control. Here was a woman who once held the desti- nies of a nation in her hand. To win her approval augured success-to arouse her anger meant defeat. Health, lux ury, fattery, honors-everything this world could give was laid at her feet. Now an old, feeble, and jaded woman, deserted by friends, forgotten by the world, she ekes out bare existedce in @ retired boarding house, which over looks Washington square. Although in her seventy-sixth year, she still bears the traces of having been beau tiful woman, and though miserably dressed, she received us with the grace and elegance of & queen. We found her very accessible the conversation naturally turned upon events of the past, and we were surprised to fiud every incident connected with her eventful life as fresh in her memory as if they had only just occurred. Her ,rio Eof %hog to laid down in history, and perhaps historian wrong. Such things have happened CD, for of all people who pro- fess to be entirely unpreiudiced, we think the generality of historians are more prejudiced than any other class of writers.
 She spoke of Mrs. Randolph and the Duchess de Fensendeck as her only children, and, in the midst of many changes and heavy losses, she said she considered herself blessed in being surrounded by her grandchildren, who are very devoted to her, and console and comfort her in her old age. Mrs. Randolph has been dead many years, and it is this family of children she has reared, and who now care for her, the youngest son making it his duty and pleasure to provide for his grandmother, | whom he seems to love with a devotion bordering on romance. She mentioned in conversation that her son-in-law, the Duke, had two titles, the other one being the Duke de Sampayo, and that their only child, daughter, was mar ried to one of the Rothschilds, the son of the elder Crpsus. She said her daughter had become thoroughly for Ieignized and hated America so that she would not allow her husband to, accept @ position to this country which was offered him two years ago. asked her if she ever visited Washington now She said, "No; my recollectlons of Washington are so painful that do not like to go there any more," then added, "I very foolishly married third time, although this marriage lost all of my property and it is not pleasant to go back and see other people enjoying what rightfully belongs Go me.
 He married me for my money, and it took him ten years and seven months to get it into his possession. Then when he got it all he left me, taking some woman whom he fancied, and left the country. was in complete ignorance of his movements until letter reached me which he had written from the steamer, saying he returned to me my honored name, and left the country be- cause he was not worthy to be asso- ciated with me and my family, con- fessed himself villain and an adven- turer, and assured me he would never trouble me again. The name of this magnificent scoundrel was Antonio Buchignani, and, Mrs. Eaton says, very handsome and elegant mana man who had served as librarian at Washington, although he was an Italian adventurer of whom nothing was known. Of course, she at once re- sumed the name which had been so generously restored to her, and for the distinguished honor of playing the short role of Madame Buchignani she paid the princely sum of nineteen houses and six square blocks of real estate in Washington City. A few more years and the sands of life will cease to flow for this woman, whose career is with out a parallel.