The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-10
The Life and Letters of Elizabeth
Patterson BOnaparte.

These letters, with their slight thread
Of biographical story, have already made
q good deal Of noise in the world. They
present to the reader picture of most
unlovely character through a cheQuered
career 1t is impossible to imagine any
thiag more repulsive than the conduct of
the Bona. arte family toward this unfor-
tunate American woman, unless 1t he her
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 a long life.
Elizabeth Patterson was born in 1885
and lived until 1875, more than ninety
four y, ars. Her father seems to have
been wise and geod man, worthy ia
ther 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
rmarks ON har undutlful behaviour. He
died in 1885. "He was the last gentle
nan in Baltimore who wore mall-clothes
ano cue" Elizabeth at 10 years old
could repeat by heart her favorite books,
Young's Might Thoughts and Roche
1o0cauld's "maxims." at Is she was the
most beautiful woman in Baltimore, a
city always famous forts beautiful wom-
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 Empire, and
raised to the rank of Admiral of the
French navy How disgusting is rank
gained at such a price, and aristocracy
recruited from such materialsl
Her first and only child was born in
England, July 7, 1906, 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 republic
can liberty. s'
If anybody cares to know whether
Madame Bonaparte's descendants are le-
gitimate,-because, if they are, they are
now next in succession to the shadowy
imperial throne" OF France,--his mind
may be assured of that fact from the fol
loving extract:
When Napoleon declared that Jerome 5
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 Jerome's 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
concurred 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 ha6 been
performed by the highest dignitary OF
that church in America.
Pope Plus VII. also passed upon this
question when he wrote the letter (pp. 81
and 35) refusing Napoleon's request that
the marriage might be declared null
He says: ut has not been possible tc
find one impediment] 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 consumnated.' In 1907
Jerome married daughter of the King
of Wurtemburg; their son is now known
as ''Plon-Plon," and his son it is who il
said to have been named by poor young
Louis as his successor. The American has
the better title by descent.
In 1815Madame Bonaparte went abroad
Here a strange and wonderful series Of
her letters to her father begins. They
are unique in their dreadful disclosure o.
bad heart and false perverted mind
She ticks the hands that have smitter
her, and tlouts that which has nourishec
her. ~
In Europe a handsome woman who il
likely to have fortune may marry we'll
but if it gets about that her parents ar,
dissatisfied with her, they will think sh,
will get nothing by them, and, if she hat
the beauty Of Venus the talents of Miner
va, no one will marry her. People her,
are not such fools as to marry poor beau
ties, however much they may admir-,
them. The reputation OF your forum,
would be great advantage, and I an