Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-06-29
ROMANCE OF HISTORY.
sOlena Of Corsica, the Most Beautiful
Woman Of Her Time. -.

solena Of Corsica, the Most Beautiful
Woman Of Her Time. -.
In the early part of the fourteenth
century the Island of Corsica was 4
bone of contention between the mari
time Republics of Italy, the Duchy of
Savoy, and the Kingdom of France.
The latter at that time, was ruled
by the chivalrOus Francis the First,
one of the most remarkable characters
in history.
His ambition was only equalled by
his reckless audacity, and he alone Of
all the princes of his time ventured to
break a lance with the powerful En-
peror Charles the Fifth, who so dis
astrously defeated him ut Pavia, in
1921.
In the preceding year, King Francis
had a quarrel with his wife, who had
reproached him for his intidelities.
One day, maddened by her taunts, he
said to his valet, Gavini, a Corsican:
''Ah, 1 must get rid of her Majesty.
Her temper is too bad. am sure that
the Holy Father will grant me di.
vorce from her. But where shall
nnQ new Wlte
"YOur Majesty has only to choose
among the most beautiful princesses
of Europe" said Gavini.
''But there is not single beautiful
Princess in Europe" rcjoined the
King, almost angrily. s:Amclia, of
Savoy is the only one that is not abso-
lutely homely, and l hate her father
so bitterly that should be reluctant
to enter into Il union with any mem.
Der of his family
eff your Majesty will permit me-"
said the willy Corsican, II could tell
you of lady with royal blood in her
veins, who is young and handsome
enough to grace the throne of France
by your side.''
''And who is she - asked the King,
eagerly.
:.she is the Marclioness Isolenl
Della BallO.''
II have never heard of her.
s'She is the richest woman in Cor
sica, where her ancestors, since time
immemorial, have owned most of the
| real estate, and where they have been
more powerful than the real rulers of
! the island ever were. Her grand
mother was niece Of the Emperor
Maximilian and she is the last of her
race, your Majesty"
| still unmarried -
''Your Majesty, there is a strange
tale to this, replied Gavini. "About
seven years ago the MarchiOness, with
her aged father, was having Il boat
ride off Ajaccio. A thunderstorm
sprang up, and the frail bark was in
danger of capsizing. The old Marquis
was frightened to death.
"'Pray, my Child he cried in his
terror, pray to Her who alone can
save us. Pray to Her, and promise to
remain virgin, unless a King should
come to solicit your hand!'
"1solena took that pledge, and now
she is mistress of immense estates, and
one of the most beautiful women in
the w0rld.''
The amorous king, who acted rs if
he had already got rid of his legiti.
mate wife, had by this time become
deeply interested in the subject.
''Gavini," he said, show does this
MarchiOness look p
"Your Majesty, I have truly never
seen a lady worthier to adorn throne
than she. She is the fairest daughter
whom Italy, the land of pretty women
ever gave birth to. Tall, slender, ma
jestic, with q complexion of marble,
and features which Phidias would have
gladly chiseled in stone, she has on
her ripe lips the tempting smile of Gu
pid, and in her black eyes all the fire
of the goddess of love-
In this manner the artful valet stim
ulated the desires of his royal master
until the latter said to him:
81 should like to. make her acquaint
ance; but that has to be done in a very
discreet Manner
After hemming and having for :
long while, Gavini suggested that III
himself might go to Corsica, and max.
Overtures to the beautiful Marchion
ess. -
The King eagerly embraced this of
fer.
"You shall 60, Gavini," he cried
$50 to MOntpas, my treasurer, ant
draw as many livres in gold as yo'
need.''
''But your Majesty said the valet
'smOney is not sufficient for such Il mis-
sion: I ought to have to that end ais
i "What!''
"a position!''
j 'What position p
II 81 ought to be clothed with tn
rank of a minister, your Majesty
The King looked at his valet for
minute without saying anything
Then he burst into laughter.
'sGavini," he exclaimed, "yOu AZ
the most impudent rascal ever saw
, But your idea is a good one. Yes, yo
low-born villain, shall for once go a
. my envoy to Corsica. Prevail upo
3 the MarchiOness. whose charms yO
. extol 80 enthusiastically, to come t
Paris, and I shall reward you rigl
royalty
On the following day Gavin, t
whom royal credentials had been gi,
en-, to the dismay of the Kings Mini.
!, ter of State, set out for Corsica. II
3 had large retinue of servants, an
. . acted in perfect keeping with the e.
: alted position to which his master ha
: so suddenly raised him.
In due course Of time he arrived
= Ajaccio, and called with all his atten'
. ants upon the Marchioness Isolena DE
= la BallO.
He had not exaggerated her charm
:. She was, indeed, most charming an
e attractive woman.
. Upon presenting the credentials
:. her, he said: @
= s'My royal master, your Excellenc
- has intrusted me to bring about MOI
=, cordial relations between France ar