The Republican journal., 1874-01-01
Mrs. Eaton.
New York Letter to the Atlanta Constitute

New York Letter to the Atlanta Constitution.
Through Dr. Deems | learned that this
celebrated woman, who did the honors of
the White House during General Jack
sons administration. still lived-Was in
this city, and was one of his congregation.
Naturally felt an interest in, and some
curiosity to see a person who had played
so CONSPICUOUS part in the affairs of the
nation ut one time. and, learning that she
was fond of company, and would consider
II no intrusion. | called. In doing so |
was more forcibly reminded than over be-
tore Of what slaves we are of the caprlccs
OF tOrtune--what victims to the vlcissi-
tudcs of life. over which we have no con-
trol. Here was u woman who once held
the destinics Of a nation in her hand To
wn her approval argued success - to
apuse her anger meant defeat. Health,
luxury, tlattery, honors-cvery thing this
world could give was laid at her feet.
Now, an old, feeble and jaded woman.
deserted by friends, forgotten by the
world, she ckcs ont bare existence IN a
retired hoar'ling-houSe, which overlooks
Washington square. Although in her
:, venty-titth year, she still bears the traces
Of having been Il beautiful woman. and
though miserably dressed, she received us
with the grace and eloqnence Of queen
We found her very accessible. The con-
versation naturally turned upon events of
the past, and we We're surprised to find
every incident connected with her event
tul life as fresh i'll her memory as if they
had only Just occurred. Her story varies
somewhat from the facts laid down in
history, and, perhaps who lnows-they
may be right and the historian wrong.
Such things have happened (?), for of all
people who profess to he entirely I'M
preiudiced we think the generality Of
historians are more prcjudicei than any
other class Of writers. She spoke of Mrs.
Randolph and the Duchess de Feuseldocll
rs her only children, and, in the midst Of
many changes and heavy losses. she said
She considered herself blessed IN being sur
rounded by her grandchildren, who are
very devoted to her, and console and COM
fort 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 cared for her, the youngest son MAX
ing it his duty and pleasure to provide for
his grandmother, whom he seems to love
With a devotion bordering on romance
She mentioned in her conversation that
her son-inlaw, the Duke had two titles.
the other one being the Duke de Sampayo,
and that their only child Il daughtar, was
married to one Of the Rothschilds, the son
OF the elder Crmsus She said her daugh-
ter had become thoroughly loreignized
and hated America 50 that she would not
allow her husband to accept position to
this country which was offered him two
Years ago. asked herif she ''eyer visited
Washington now" She said. 'sNo; recol-
lections Of Washington are so painful that
DO not like to 60 there any more''-then
added very toolishy married q third
time, through this marriage lost all of
my property and it is not pleasant to go
back and see other people enjoying what
righttnlly belongs TO me. He married me
for my money, and il took him ten Years
and seven months to get it into his pos
session. Then, when he cot il al, he left
me, taking some woman whom he tuncied.
and left the country | was in complete
ignorance Of his movements until 4 letter
reached me which he had written from the
steamer. saving he returned me my
honored name and left the country herause
he was not worthy to he associated with
md nnd nay family crni,44, ,cd himself Il
VILLAIN and an adventurcr, ana assured me
ne would never trouble me again The
name OF this magnificent scoundre was
Antonio Bnchignani, and, Mrs Eaton eavs,
a very handsome and elegant mana man
who had served as Librarian at Washing
ton although he wa IN Italian adventurer
OF whom nothing was known OF course
she IT once resumed the name Nhich had
been 50 generously G. restored 10 her.
and for the distinguished honor orplaving
the short role of Madam BUchi9nanl she
paid the princely sum Of nineteen houses
~iN square blocks Of real estate in Wash
inglon City "A few more years and the
sands Of life will have ceased to How for
this woman, whose career il without i
nara IL.