Louisiana capitolian., 1879-07-12
A KINGS ILLEG1TIMAlE SON.


A KINGS 1LLEG1TlNATE SON.
'Virginius," New York cores
pondent Of the N. O. Times, gives
this short sketch Of an illegitiinate
son Of the King Of Italy:
Leone Ferracha, said TO- van ille-
gitimate son Of the late Victor EN-
manuel, King Of Italy, died in this
city on Thursday morning last. He
was thirty odd years Of age, and bore
q striking resemblance to the late
king, having the same cast Of feat
ures, especially the large nose, and
wearing huge ,noustache and impe-
rial. '.5i'7 'ia H q 20
Fcrrucha's mother was the daugh-
tor Of an olive and wine grower in
the town Of Orosei, Sardinia, and she
met the king on one Of his visits to
that place. Her son was educated in
Rome ut the expense Of his royal
father, and liberal allowances were
made him. He was named after the
family of his mother, and developed
thorough spendthrift. When near
ing his majority he went to Paris and
took up the study Of art in the Latin
quarter. Here he entered into the
widest sort Of dissipation, but was
finally brought to a standstill by the
stoppage of his allowances.
Being forced to work, he became
designer Of costumes at the theatre,
and was soon spoken Of rs the rival
of NJ. Henri Grevin, then and now
the most famous costumer in Paris.
His career here was cut short by an
attachment he formed for u beautiful
Polish actress, the Princess Grozesko.
He was madly in love with her, and
a dreadful scene Of violence followed
when he found that the object Of his
affections was the mistress of one of
tho ministers of state. Ferrucha was
arrested and privately sent out Of
France.
His wanderings over the world
then began, and be was not heard Of
again until 1871, when lie became in
volvcd in q difficulty, while serving
as artist on Portuguese survey Of
the Madeiras, with the Prince Don
Jaime da Cahva and sstruck him
in the face with champagne bottle,
dis6guring him for life. The prince
considered that he had been partly to
blame at least, and would nor permit
Ferrucl,a to be punished. He was
however, set ashore at Funchal and
ordered to leave the Portuguese pos.
sessions by the first vessel. He came
to the United States, went to Soutl
America and returned In 1873, arriv.
ing at Charleston with a large amour,
of money. He again plunged int
dissipation, and accidentally rul
across his old love, the Princess Gro
zesko, who was then travelling in tli'
country with q Russian lady Of rank
The meeting occurred in the corri
doris of the Charleston hotel, and Fer
rucha, who was under the influence
of liquor, sprang at the woman
caught her by the throat, and ha'
nearly strangled her before he wa
torn away by the bystanders. Afte
this episode he drank deeper thai
ever, and a day or two later spok
very disparagingly of the princess il
q bar-room. An acquaintance Of tn
princess, a young cotton factor, wa
, present, and struck Ferrucha acros
, the eyes with heavy riding whip
The sight Of one Of them was com
+ pletely destroyed, and the other be
!, came blind from inflammation. 1
r time he found his way to New York
q and for some years played in the OF
!. chestra of different theatres.
q Drink and an ungovernable tempe
1 lost him place after place, and he q
last became wandering street mus
= clan. But he always made enoug
G money to live comfortably, and 4
:. faculty Of finding his way throug
4 the crowded streets of New York ";
q truly wonderful. His skill as vi,
linist was considerable, and he W;
2. well known in the popular haunts
beer drinkers. One day last wint'
v an old schO0lfellOw found Ferrucl
n playing in Fourteenth street and toe
~ him to his house, where every luxu'
was lavished upon him, but his col
stitution was broken down and
n slowly declined, dying of consum]
70 tiOn.
T His friend, who is II wealthy 1tali;
,e resident of this city, in speaking
10 Ferucha, said: ''He was an extr