Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-29
.,.,,. Gazette ~ Virginia Advertiser
DUKE DE RELCHSTADT.

DUKE DE RELCHoTADT.
The recently published Journal Of Mr.. Chas
Grcyille furnishes some interesting particulars
regarding the son OF Napoleon |, which were
communicated to the author by Prince Ester
hazy. 1t is we'll known that the lil-tated Duke
OF Reichstadt died of consumption at the early
age of twenty-oue, and the idea has been g:n-
orally entertained that the physical teebenrss
from which he suffered through all his life was
ACCOMPANIED by a corresponding weakness OF
mind Later historians, however, escaplng
from the prsjudices that affected the contem-
poraries of Napoleon |, have corrected this
impression, declaring that the boy possessed a
vigorous intellect with great Intensity OF fee-
rc; and that, had his life been prolonged, be
would undoubtedly have p'ayed, conspicuous
part 10 the worlds history. This opinion Is
corrobora.ed 10y the evideoca OF Prince Ester
hazy, who says the Duke was gifted with un-
common raents aud possessed towering am
btlon. He adored the uame OF his father, and
reseuted with bitterness the indifference with
which Maria Louisa regarded the fate of the
Emperor, by whom her shallow nature had
never been deeply stirred.
The Duke evUced great affection and graft
tude for his grandfather, FraDz l, who endow-
him with the state and revenues OF an Austrian
prince, and had binl teuGerly reared and highly
educated. Although the kaiser scrupulouS! y
observed his obligations to l. Lluis Philippe, he
secretly admired the genius aud ambition which
the son had Inherited from Napoleon. The
boy delighted in military exercises. aud bad
bis fathers art of iurratlatlDg himself with the
soldiers, who had held him as their idol. His
thoughts were necessarily upon France, and be
poured day aud night over the history OF the
Euperor's splendid rarecr When lie heard Of
the figb, of Louis XVIII he exclaimed, with
poignant res re-, Way was not there to take
my chance2"
\ single auecdote repeated by E-terhazy
shows that the absorbing passion of the Dukes
soul overpowcred all tse propeGsltles OF his
age He was to make his first appearance in
public at ball at Lady Cow!ey's TO which be
had shown great anxiety to go), and was buro-
ing with lupa,ieucc Ito amuse himself with
dauciug aud flirting with the beauties he had
admired in the pratcr. He wept but there he
met two French marshalS- Marmont aad VI Al
SOD. He had DO eyes or ears but fer them;
from Dine in the evening to five the GeXt morn
lEg he devoted hilusef TO these marShalS and
converSed with them without ceaSng Though
he kovw we'll enough all the odium that at
tachcd to Marmont, he said to him that he was
too happy for having the opportunity OF max
ing the acquaintance of one who had been
among his fathers earliest companions aud
who could tell him so uauy Interesting details
Of his earlier days. Marmout subsequently
either did give, or was to give him, lessons in
strategy.
The TOMB OF THE AUTHOR OF FRA DIA-
voLO.-Atter paying our annual visit to the
t,ubs Of Mme. D. AbranteS and AIRY Scheffcr,
where J. again saw the two modest pots of
flowers placed by some timid haud upon the
threshold, | wcut to sec about the tOmb OF
Auber. A short time ago We We're shocked to
hear that the great composer was still lying 10
vault belonging to an undertaken, and fer
which so much per mouth has TO be paid. AS
Auber left fortune which can be counted by
mliIlous, every one asked what sort of Kindred
ii was that he left behind him upon earth
Aud since the mouthly stipend has not been
paid, one asks why it is. that Aubcrs remaus
are thus left III pawn. Fsw, indeed. could be-
lleye the story true. 1t was regarded as au-
other invention cf the reporters. But it is
strictly true. The common cross stands 10
circle at the end of the grand avenue; on the
eud is tomb and a recumbent figure of Code.
troy Cavagnac; opposite, on the right, is
large tomb, on which is craven the words,
"Scpulture provisoire. And lower down we
read: "Caveau provisoire, No. Is, apparte-
nant NJ. Camuset, marbricr." Here, ar
ranged In tiers upon the shelves, are many
cothns. You enter by an iron gate open on
this day, and hud the interior very simple.
There are twelve crowns, composed Of pearls
or of yellow immortelIes, upon the altar, upon
one of which, in black letters, one reads, ITO
my mother on another, TO my soo."
These are the usual cheap traditional offerings
Everything is simple and cheap about the
tomb of NJ. Camuset, because it is here the
people leave their dead when they do not want
them buried In common ground and can not
pay Tor concession a perpctuite, but who
manage to exc out the stipened due each
month tor tha rent of the last resting place Of
their dead. AT the back is pile of cords,
sshoVels, bits of wood, aud other things, show
Ing that the undertak ker, Camuset, uses this as
a sort OF storehouse tor his tools. Aud beneath
this pile OF wood and rope sleeps the great
Auber. Honorable merchants, rich. hut with
ont fame, have castles here for monuments.
Upon them are statues, busts, palms, marble
crosses, or allegorical figures, the arms of the
family or the family name, but the author of
Fra Diayolo," the Domino Noir,' and other
enduring works, has net even a grave of his
owe. His name does not appear, but above
his remains, registered under certain mem
Der, is the name of the great "Camuset uu-
d!crtaker." But this shocking state of things
Is about to be repaired to the shame of Au.
oers heirs, be 1t said, by public subscription.
Some OF the composers friends have already
guaranteed the sum necessary to purchase
monument. upon which will be placed statue
OF CieSlngcr. | do DOT know the real history
OF this affair, but am told that Aubcr was no
sooner dead than his heirs pouuced upon his
Ileh estate, quarrelled amnDg themselves, went
W law, got out writ after writ, interdiction
S'er uterdictl IN, and meantime left the COM
poser reualns in the vault of "Camuset, the
undertaken. Paris Cor. " Y Times.
NV, George, you must divide the cake
;uVnorabIy with you brother Charles" "What
~ mnD' honorable mother p 1T means that you