The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-12
NICHOLAS AND CHARLOTTE.
Love Romance of History.

The betrothal and marriage of the Princess
Charlotte of Prussia with Nicholas. who was
then grand duke, but afterwards became en-
peror of Russia forms one Of the sweetest
and most romantic love episodes in the
world of European courts, which is usually
devoid of love and romance, and would, on
that account alone, deserve being remem-
bered quite regardless of the historical in
terests which will henceforth adhere to all
the members of the family of the conqueror
OF France.
Princess Charlotte was born in the year
1913, and was the eldest daughter of King
Frederick William the Third, of Prussia,
and his beautiful and accomplished wife,
Queen Louisa. Her early childhood elapsed
amidst scenes of terror and humiliation for
the royal family of Prussia, and nobody
would at that time have ventured to predict
for her the brilliant career which Providence
kept in store for this child, born and brought
up under such fatal auspices We might,
indeed make an exception in favor OF her
mother, who, with that prophetic Intuition
which seems to have been the distinguishing
feature of that high minded woman, wrote
one day to her father, the duke of Mecklen-
burg, the following lines about his daughter:
Charlotte is given to silence and reserve,
but under her apparent GOODNESS she conceals
a warm and loving heart Her indifference
and pride are but the dulleSt OF diamond
shine forth in its brilliant lustre. Her bear
ing and models are noble and dignited. She
has but few friends, but these few are
warmly attached to her L know her value,
and predict for her q brilliant future, If she
lives long enough"
The young princess was indeed a very frail
and delicate creature-one of those tender
flowers which seem to wait for the kind hand
of the gardener to transplant them in
warmer CLINE. She was charming and
handsome but her beauty was rather that of
a pale lily than that of a blooming rose.
Charlotte was Just 16 when, in the year
1914 the Grand Duke Nicholas on his way
TO the camp of the allied armies in france,
passed through Berlin, and was warmly
welcomed as an honored guest at the royal
palace.
The description those who saw and knew
the grand duke at the time have given the
incompatible glaceS of his person and mind,
makes it easy for us to imagine that the
heart of a young girl. just budding in wo-
manhood, was capuvated and charmed by
him almost at first sight.
Well he might have said, like Cesar, II
came, saw, l conquered"
The princess fell in love with him, and
fortunately for her the young grand duke re-
turned her love fully as passiOnately.
The Grand Duke Nicholas bad the reputa-
ton of being one OF the hardsomest, if not
the very hands omest man of the times; and
his majestic and stately form, which meas
ured no less than six feet and two inches,
was considered unequalled in beauty, not
only IN Russia, but in all Europe.
He was vigorous, strong, full OF life and
health, with broad shoulders and chest, while
his small hands and feet were of the most ar
istocratic elegance. His whole figure Tealiz-
ed the perfect model of manly and COM
manding beauty, which the genins of
sculptor of antiquity has immOrialized I'M
der the features OF the Apollo Belyidere.
His features were of the Grecian cast
forehead and nose formed a straight line
and the large, blue, sincere eyes showed
singular combination of composure, stern
ness, self reliance and pride, among which
would have been difficult for the observer
o name the predominant expression.
Those who have looked closely and atten-
lively into these remarkable eyes would
have easily believed that their threatening
glance would suffice to suppress rebellion,
to terrify and disarm a murderer or to
brighten away a suDplicant. But there would
have been but few TO believe that the stern
ness of those eyes could be entirely softened
so as to beam forth nothing but love and
kindness.
Among those few, however, was the young
Prussian princess, who had drank deep in
their intoxicating fervor. 1t is true that she
was the only person in the world in whose
presence the Olympian gravity of his features
gave way to radiant cheerfulness, which
made his manly beauty perfectly irresistible.
In such moments his magnificent brow
always theTseat of meditation and thought,
exhibited the serene beauty and Attic grace
of young Athenian; the serious Pericles
seemed, by the invisible wand of a msgician,
to have been transplanted into the youthful
Alcibiades
At this time, however, the matchless
personal charms of the grand duke were
enhanced by political prospects of the most
exalted character He was not eventually
considered en- heir to the imperial crown
of Russia. 1t is true Alexander the First.
his brother. had no children, but in case of
his death, which could not be expected
soon, the Grand Duke Constantine was TO
Inherit the throne OF Peter the Great, and
o leave to Nicholas at best but the posi-
ion of prince of the first blood. Never
theless, Frederick William, charmed alike
by the beauty and intellect of his guest,
and by the hope of uniting the sovereign
houses of Prussia and Russia by the close
les of family union, greeted the prospect
OF marriage between the grand duke and
bis daughter with enthuiasm, especially
when he discovered that the young folks
themselves were fond of each other.
The king then delicately lnsinuated to
his daughtfr that, If she had taken a liking
to the grand duke, and had reason to believe
that the prince entertained similar feelings
towards her, their marriage would meet with
no objection on his part
But the young princess, although secretly
delighted in a hope which fully responded
to the secret wishes of her heart. was either
too proud or too bashful to confess to her
father her love for the grand duke, who had
not vet made any declaration to her.
In this manner the day approached on
which the grand duke was to leave Berlin. On
the eve of his departure grand gala supper
was given in his honor. at the royal palace,
and, by the way Of accident or policy, the
young Princess Charlotte was seated by the
side OF her ardent admirer.
The grand duke was uncommonly taciturn
during the evening. His forehead was
clouded, and his gloomy eyes seemed to fol-