Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-04-22
PRINCE DEMIDOFF.


tion-History OF the Fortune OF the
Demidoffs. t ID.
Prince Paul DemidoR is now n man
| OF thirty mine years of age. He came to
Paris in 1868. He had not yet come
into possession of his immense fortune;
his uncle was still living, and his in
come was modest. He was handsome
man in the full force of the term-tall,
slender, elegant pale complexion.
somewhat bronZed; brown hair and
mustache; open and high forehead
and pale-blue Slav eyes. soft. languid
and vciled by long l,.shes. Under a
skin OF satin he had muscles of steel |;
he was built to resist life and triumph
over life. He always used to dress in n
short coat, round hat rather short
trousers and shoes. lie never wore
waistcoat and never suffered from cold.
He took up his quarters in furnished
lodging mt 25 Faubourg st. Honore, and
IL was there that began his famous
series of mems soirecs and suppers.
Soon afterward Paul Dcnidoff became
member of the Circle de- ia Rue Royale.
Paul Demidoff. however was not n
regular gambler; he played only by fits
and starts. When he did play he played
boldly, for he was of the race of grand
viveurs. From the Faubourg ST.
Honore he migrated to the Rue du
Marched Ageusseau, taking with him
the same joyous band of friends, at the
head Of whom were Grammont-C Cade-
rousse, de Juigne and CASTOR de Saint
Maurice. For moment he had pas.
sion for hunting, and rented some game
preserves near Rambouiliet. Paul Dem
idoH had all the instincts of the Slav
nature. lie WAS eccentric. sometimes
excessively so. He would call up his
servants, open all the windows, and
take n cold bath. He had constantly
at his bedside decanter of iced
champagne, of which he drank all
night. Nobody, however, ever heard
of Paul DemidoT being drunk. In the
morning he sometimes had fancies
worthy of Nero. He would send for
four or five servants. and make them
fight together until they had eliminated
the victor, who received handsome
qualification.
In 1867 Paul Demidoff married the
Princess Metchierski. and went TO live
in the Rue Jean-Goujon, in fine hotel,
which soon became n veritable museum
When he married he took his past life
like stick. broke it in two and threw
away the pieces. 1t was all over. His
wife became everything to him. The
lady, unfortunately. died in childbed,
and Prince Demidoff died TO the world.
But enthusiasm like his could not be
extinguished. He threw himself with
ardor into religion; the hero OF the
fast life of Paris became the hero Of
the cloister. He shut himself up with
his grief, and his charity became now
as open-handed as his extravaganza
had been. lie was mean toward him
self, prodigal toward the poor. He
dressed like Quaker, and had long in
terviews with Pere Hyacinthe. He had
abandoned bis hotel In the Rue Jean
Gouion, and lived alone in "a small apart
ment in the Rue de Milan, we believe,
where he treasured up all the relics and
souvenirs Of his married life. His bed
room was n reliquary of his past happy
DAYS.
One fine day he left Paris and went to
Russia. lie had grown weary OF soli-
tude and tears. lie had been touched
by spur Of ambition. lie dreamed of
playing role in politics. and began by
becoming governor Of Kieff, posi-
which he held for five years. But the
post was too unimportant for his vault
ing ambition. Perhaps he thought of
the embassy ut Paris. or perhaps of
some other equally lofty position OF the
same kind. At any rate lac grew tired
of being mayor of kieff; he sent in his
resignation and settled at the palace of
San Donate. near Florence, where he
brought his second wife, the Princess
Troubetskoi, daughter cf the celebrated
Princess Lise Troubetskoi, who has so
often occupied the attention OF the Par
isians. Since then he has never left San
Donate. where he has accumulated that
marvellous collection of art treasures
which has been SOLD Mt auction.
What was the reason OF this sale
Lassitude and ennui. His last passion
had burnt out. He wanted 10 rid his
sight OF all vestige of 1t. He was in q
hurry TO satisfy a new passion. The
palace of San Donate has been aban-
doned for the Villa de Pratolino, near
Fiesole, where nothing remains but the
ruins of the splendid chateau which
formerly sheltered the romantic loves
of the Duke Francis and the fair Vene-
tian lady, Blanca Capello. Among the
ruins Is the colossal statue of the Ap-
pennies, which was sculptured under
the direction of jean de Bologna, one
of the finest monuments Of an immortal
epoch. The restoration of this chateau
will give Prince Dcmidof an oppor-
tunity of becoming Mecenas in a
mere active and extensive manner.
| IEtnce DemluOH VIII De patron OF
art on scale which has been almost
unknown during the last two centuries.
| The origin Of the fortune of the Demi-
doffs Is curious. One day Peter the
Great was passing through Ural. When
he reached Mimi Tagilsk, one of his
pistols broke. The car asked the gov
ernor to send him workman to mend
| IL. but in that obscure and distant viii
lage there WIS no one to whom the gov
| ernor dared to entrust the imperial arm.
There was no gunsmith. At last they
| brought To the czar n modest workman,
whose trade was not that of gunsmith,
but whose skill was highly spoken of In
the village. He took the pistol, and
Phalf an hour aiterward he brought IL
back as good as new. His name was
Demidoff II willremember your said
Peter the Great ne he rode AWAY.
Months passed away. Demidoff Ind