New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-13

laughed and chatted Of old times with tn
freedom and nOnchalance of q private fan
lily gathering. The Emperor kindly presse
his cousin to remain in France. but he
duty az mistress to 300 slaves claimed eeriou
I precedence of all predictions, if she ente,
tanned any, for royal pageantry. The en-
barrassment Of debt had obliged her hul
band to mortgage most of his negroes for
support; she would now return home, an,
employ the Emperor's munlticen: gift il
canoeing these mortgages, and making he
dependents more comfortable than she hat
been able to in some time past.
Several years Of uninterrupted happiness
follOwed-years of genial and elegant hoe
pitality, making her residence. now Belle
vue, near Tallahassee, . very center 0
| social attraction. The stranger there lee
| By curiosity to see the Princess. Remained
fascinated by the perfect simplicity and 70
fined cordially Of the American mstron.
| Ever mindful Of the pleasure of others
with an experienced knowledge Of the
world and human nature, she possessed Z
most happy tact in bringing parties to
gether, considering the time, the manner
and equally important characteristics.
Long will be borne in mind her recherche
breakfasts. cosy little suppers, and, above
All, the beaut ltul open Air entertainments
for which the climate of Florida is so favor.
able.
1t was not merely, tie gay, the young, the
vOtaries of fashion who found welcome at
Bellevue. but the poor. the miserable: the
prosecuted instinctively turned hither, Ger
tain OF relief Of heart where true, practical
sympathy was never denied nor charity un-
bestowed.
1t was her frequent expression, II am
always for the dog that's down." and this
was no mere boast, but an actual text for a
living sermon.
Any cause which Nine. Murat espouse d
she upheld NEST earnestly and independent
~. Always prominent in public charities,
her private donations to the needy were so
unostentatiously bestowed that scarce her
most intimate friends took cognizance of
them, cave by the effect.
AS vice regent of the Mount Vernon As
sociatlon fOc Florida, she succeeded in rails
ing in the State nearly $1,000. and was
heartily devotlng time and energies to
prospective purchase of the home of her
distinguished uncle, when 10! the war note
sounded. proc)aiming dissolution between
North and South.
Nine. Murat had learned patriotism in
the political school Of Washington Jeffer.
son and Randolph; and love of country
glowed warly in her heart. Being present
in the convention on the passing of the
ordinance" which separated Florida from
the Union. her emotion was SO great that
she gave way to tears and audible sobs;
but from her standpoint no ialtering, no
looking back, were admissible, and che was
thenceforth eminently active in assisting
and encouraging the soldiers of the South.
Whole days were spent in sewing to clO,he
the troops, and hundred Of weary
feet were covered with socks of her own
knitting. Sometimes she would prepare a
dinner or a breakfas. for the cOnvalescent
OF the hospitals, and send her own carriage
to bring them. She took an individual il
terest in every soldier of "Our noble men,"
as she always spoke of them. while each
struggle at arms aroused wi hin her the
most mother-like anxiety and pride. No
failure, no accumulation of reverses, could
ever persuade her that the South would ne
overcome, and so severe was the blow when
It finally fell, that her decline in health may
be dated from the hour the tidings reached
ler.
The condition Of her slaves following
Upon their emancipation was very trying 10
Nine. Murat. Lett now without dollar.
'hs had no means of assisting them, and
hey were slow to understand why thew
we're not still bound to her and che to them. |
She gave them the privilege of cultivatng
he "Old plantation" while she supplied her |
'wn immediate necessities by the sale of |
valuable jewels. Her atfectionate nature |
owing emancipation by the generosity of |
Ter former slaves, who presented her with |
J barrel OF flour, syrup. chickens. eggs and |
tner a1 tleies az general contiioutlo from |
hv P!ah.atIoh:
WIN teariui eyes anu s"ellleg heart she
nanked thsm 1or their klncnes', and. de
Ilning me cnellhg 5" Gehcateiy rs not to
. . .o9il leenngs, aode" from her own
y. 10 thelrs, oianing mem make merry
n llc 'eaeon' as ns" oesn 'helS aSolt hereto
VIZ
~ was cary IN 1000 Shat met her. She
eeneo ihuSn sg,'@ctu' anu biaclng IN my
nnn an onclaI loohihg document, sald:
1.oau tnis' Aen minutes ago dld not
ny. ;, possosseo uolaf IN the
% he paper proved 10 oe q letter
Oh houis NaPoieon private secretary,
.iolhllns nsf enst me malesty mad settled
Pon nol gu snu"I1y y! oo'Voo francs. IL
- Moiuene VI e14u'el'e pleasure 70 US
ON. AL" We mipsie" our grateful tears
~ vluAen epeecI enc sara: 600
less Lou't snali write MIN that l know
hd 'eei 10" VIII oless hiM, Tor his gift
lal IeiieVe many poor Widows and
fpAan "eeu;
was WHO engaged I'D the mefcNul
org o. ora faislne lunds for the defense Of
ldJoi oopn gee Imprisoned on charge OF
'ue5s 70 ieuefaA soiolers curing the war. |
'a q neaIh his. gave he1 warning.
rooM was 10 Dc prepared for concert.
"a n"a rscently nesn used for festive occa
on, and the wlthered ~reaths still hung
s1ooned from the ceiling. Oa entering ,
mo azure Txcialmec, pat III subdued q,
me. Wlthefed flowers: How dreadful! the
loi OF 4ead noweFs: der speech became
'n nt' anu 1os day or two she was :
'tusiIy unconscious, having suffered at s
10 nomsnt sllghs stroke OF paralysis. :
aHyihs, however. t'iP - Europe was |
commended, and she was again received i
20 the Bosom OF her hustand's family. II
Mentns after thiS' when, on her return f