Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-07
The Life and Letters of Elizabeth
Patterson BOnaparte.

Patterson bOnaparte.
These letters, with their slight thread
Of biographical story, have already made
good deal Of noise in the world. They
present to the reader picture of a most
unlovely character through cheouered
career. 1t is impossible to imagine any
thing more repulsivc than the conduct OF
the Bonaparte family toward this unfor-
tunate American woman, unless it be hel
snobbish and silly adherence, in spite OF
it all, to them and their congeners on the
other side Of the Atlantic. The reader
laughs alternately at the wit, the worldly
wisdom, the deceit, and the folly of the
heroine of this short tale of long life.
Elizabeth Patterson was born in 1856
and lived until 1S79,-more than ninety
four years. Her father seems to have
been wise and good man, worthy IA
Their of other children who were comfort
to him, which such daughter as Eliza
beth never could be. He partially disin-
herited her IN his will, with some severe
remarks on har undutlful behaviour. lie
died in 1885. ''Hc was the last gentle
man in Baltimore who wore small-clothes
AND a cue" Elizabeth at 10 years old
could repeat by heart her favoritc books,
Young's "Night Thoughts and Roche
foucauld's ''maxims." At Is she was the
most beautiful woman in Baltimore, a
city always famous for its beautiful WON
en-. In 1903 Jerome Bonaparte-young
est brother Of Napoleon, then First Con
sul--came, saw, and conquered, and,
against her fathers wishes, married the
ambitious young belle. Under the COM
mands and threats Of Napoleon, the poor
sneak left her in the spring of 1905. LAS
reward for his pusilanimity, jerome
was created Prince OF the Elm pire, and
raised to the rank Of Admiral of the
French navy" How disgusting is rank
gained at such q price, and aristocracy
recruited from such materials!
Her first and only child was born in
England, July 7, 1905, after her hus-
band had left her and she had been for
chilly driven away from France. This son
possessed all his life fine and strong
character,-a refreshing contrast to that
of his brilliant but silly mother. He
studied for knowledge, married for love,
and worked for money. He was never
foolish enough, even under the greatest
temptations, to prefer the tarnish gliding
Of court life to the solid gold of republi-
can liberty.
If anybody cares to know whether
Madame Bonaparte's descendants are le-
Observation-Disclosures, if they are, they are
now next in succession to the shadow
"imperial throne Of France,--his mind
may be assured Of that fact from the fol-
lowing extract:
marriage was null, both in religious
and legal point of Yiew,' he was express
ing his own wishes rather than stating
the facts. At the time of Jeromes mar
rage to Miss Patterson, Napoleon was
only first Consul of France, and could
have no control over the members of his
family. Jerome's mother and eldest
brother, Joseph, were the only persons
whose consent were Necessary, and they
eoncurred in approving the marriage.
The marriage had been celebrated accord
ing to the prescribed rites of the Catho-
lie Church, Of which Jerome professed to
be member, and the ceremony hat. been
performed by the highest dig nitary of
I4laI CnuTCn IN America.
Pope Plus VII. also passed upon this
question when he wrote the letter (pp. "a
and S5) refusing Napoleon's request that
the marriage might be declared null.
He says: ut has not been possible to
find one impeachment which, in the pres
ent case, and according to the principles
OF the Church, can authorize us to declare
the nullity of the marriage contracted
and already consummated.' In 1907
Jerome married daughter of the King
OF Wurtemburg; their son is now known
as "Plon-Plon," and his son it is who is
said to have been named by poor young
Louis as his successor. The American has
the better title by descent.
In 1S15Madame Bonaparte went abroad.
Here strange and wonderful series of
her letters to her father begins. Thew
are unique in their dreadful disclosure Of
q bad heart and false perverted mind.
She ticks the hands that have smitten
her, and houts that which has nourished
her.
In Europe handsome woman who is
likely to have fortune may marry we'll:
but if it gets about that her parents are
dissatisfied with her, they will think she
will get nothing by them, and, if she had
the beauty'of Venus the talents of Miner
va, no one will marry her. People here
are not such fools as to marry poor beau
ties, however much they may admire
them: The reputation OF your fortune
would be great advantage, and / am
sure you cannot object to me HAVING the
honor of it, provided you keep the sub
stance. l beg that whatever YOU NAV
think, you will say nothing and especially
soriH nothing about me, unless it be
something likely to advance me. It
was my misfortune, not my fault, that
was born in country not congenial to
my desires. Here am compile. ely in my
sphere. ~: am surprised you do
not see the advantages of nv position,
compared with that Of the daughters Of
Of the other people of Baltimore
and that you permit the chatterine
Of envious people to influence YOU.