Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-21
The Head OF the Bonapartes


living who bear the name of Bonaparte.
namely, three nephews and five grand.
nephews Of the First Napoleon. They
are: Prince Jerome Napoleon, son of
jerome, fourth brother OF Napoleon l.,
and his two sons, the Princes Victor and
LOUIS then the descendants of Prince
Charles, son of Luc'en Bonaparte, second
brother OF the gT mt Emperor. This
Prince Charles sons are Prince Lucien
Bonaparte; the Cardinal Prince Napo-
leon Charles, cx-president of the Con
seil-General Of Corsica; Prince Louis
Lucien, formerly senator. and long "A
resident of London; and lastly Prince
Pierre,. whose son, Prince Roland Bona
parte, Is studying at the military school
of st. Cyr.
The interest with " hich Prince jerome
Napoleon ~ now regarded as the head of
the Bonapartc family. and the chief of
the impcrialist party, amply iustifics any
details that may be given respecting him.
A larger man than either the first Napo-
leon or his father, Prince Jerome re-
sembles the lattcr more than the former,
though I'm his earlier years his likeness
10 the great Emperor was simply extra
ordinary. His expression il placid and
oiten extremely agreeable, but now and
then the fire of tie Corsican burns In his
eye and his finely chisclCd mouth adds TO
the intensity OF his look. The prince il
hity-sgVon years Of age, not yet gray,
though aOmcwlat bald. His head. saws
lgnotus, Is superb one, wor by alike
of the prince and the thinker. and second
only In what the enthusiastic roactionary
writer calls aristoCrntic beauty to that
Of the Compte de Chambord. At home
he usually walks tu and fro while con-
versinR, smoking cigarettes. and keeping
one or both hands i'm his pockets. Sud
denly lac stops before the visitor: his
language becomes animated, and even
vehement, while his words teen with
color and picturcsqucncss. He never
laughs, but only smiles. The prince
has wonderful collection OF anecdotes
at his disposal In the street Prince
jerome may be- recognized by his broad
brmmcd hat; mincing along, he will
suddenly quicken his steps when he i,
deep In thought He rides every morn
ing, being accompanied on THURSDAYS
by his two sons. Although a fair horse
| man, hc docs not shine particularly in
the saddle. Now for the two sons. the
Princes Victor and Louis. The former
i tall and looks more than his age.
seventeen. The upper part of Is face IL
that oi Napoleon, tho lower reminds one
oitho Ilapsburg type. Quiet, intelligent
and reserved is this Prince Victor
Prime, HOuis Is thirteen, and, unlike his
/ brother. small for his age. He is pale,
and as yet resembles none Of the NOM
/ bgrs Of the royal and imperial families
! from which he is descended His hair
/ Is very black and hc is 'vcly and intolli-
gent. He is full Of fun. but hardly q
/ prodigy nj school Such j. the family
! which has just been raised out OF semi
ohscurity 10 that fierce ligh; which beats
upon throne,
The theory was propoundcd "A short
time ago. says n London paper. that
/ Prince jerome Napoleon familiar nick
name "Plon-Plun' took its origin from
/ his heroic behavior in the Crimca. where
hc "smclt lead" with such frequency
and relish that the officers of his division
bestowed upon him the descriptive
sobriquct of Plomb-Piomb." 4 CORE
spondont however, pronounce, this de-
riyation Of the nickname 10 be incorrect.
stating that ho had himself learned from
th" lips Of th" late Minister Of STATE. won
N,ur1th, the exact circumstances which
saddicd his imperial highncsz for life
with 50 quaint soNriquct Prince
Jerome resided during his carly child
hood in the royal castle ai Smti sardt.
II will be remembered that hc was at
one time a subject of Wurtcmhorg. and
that bis first military service was per-
formed in th" army 81 that State The
late King William II Wurtcmbcrg wa,
very fond of the little prince. and frc-
quonily played with him in tho royal
/ gardens. The first time that hc asked
f. young jerome "wha, his name WA. +" the
latter, who could not speak distinctly.
replied. Plon-plpn.' instead Of A" Napo-
I leun.' King William subsequently, spoke
/ to and Of him by this pet name.
II was eventually adopted by the court
and by Wuricmhcrg society in general.
and has stuck to him ever since. The
sobriquct Of Plon-Plon, therefore. was
bestowed upon the prince by himself and
none other.