The Cecil Whig., 1880-09-11
SELECT LITERATURE.
THE AMERICAN GRACES.

lOf 1uS Deautllu! women. his Justine
tion was first acquired by the fame of
several fair Baltimoreans who married
into imperial and noble European fami-
lies. Charles Carroll of CarrolltOn, who
was the richest and the last survivor of
the signers of the Declaration of indie
pendence, i'll the Autumn of 1856 mar
ried Richard Cation, an English gentle
man who had settled in Baltimore the
previous year. Mrs. Cation was distin-
guished for the grace and elegance of her
manners as well as for many sweet and
amiable qualities. She was particular
favorite of Washington's and one of the
most charming ornaments of the Repub-
lican Court. She had four daughters,
the eldest three of whom form the sub
ject of this article. Their story is full
of romantic interest.
Mary Cation, the eldest of the fair sis
ters, was the recognized belle of Balti-
more before she had completed her eigh-
teenth year. The exalted social position
of her family, the wealth of her father
and grandfather, her remarkable beauty
and fascinating accomplishments, her
gay and sparkling wit, and the singular
charm of her address, made her hand
the coveted prize of the most distin-
guished young men of the time. This
lovely Baltimore girl had as many suitors
as the fair and faithless Helen. At the
age of nineteen she gave her hand to
Robert Patterson, who was at that time
the wealthiest merchant in the United
States. The wedding took place in the
private chapel of Mr.. Carroll's house:
Archbishop Carroll, the cousin of the
bride, performed the ceremony. In those
days bridal tours were unknown, but the
wedding festivities were continued for
several weeks, in the generous, hospita-
BILE style of the olden time. BY this
marriage Mary Cation became the sister
in-law of Elizabeth Patterson, the first
wife of Jerome Bonaparte. some time
King of Westphalia, and the most worth
less of Napoleon's brothers.
Six weeks after their marriage, Mr..
and Mrs. Robert Patterson sailed for
England, accompanied by Elizabeth and
Louisa Cation, sisters of the bride. They
carried letters of introduction from the
British Minister at Washington which
opened to them the first circles of Eng
lish society. The beauty, grace, and
loveliness of the three sisters caused
them to be called the American Graces.
Among their acquaintances was the
Duke of Wellington. The great soldier
who had conquered the conqueror of
Europe was himself conquered by the il
resistible charms of Mrs. Patterson
The irreproachable conduct of the beau
tiful American won the lasting friend
ship of the Iron Duke. He presented
her at the court of the Prince Regent.
That jaded voluptuary exclaimed, at the
sight of her, SIS it possible that the
world can produce so beautiful Il womanr
The great impression made upon the
Prince Regent by Mrs. Patterson is
shown by circumstance that occurred
two years afterward. On the 18th of
February, 1918, Richard Rush presented
to his Royal Highncss his credentials as
the American Minister at the court of
st. James's. After the formal interview
had ended with the exchange of national
courteSieS. the Prince entered into IN i'll
formal conversation with Mr.. Rush, dur
ing which he spoke in the most compli-
mentary manner of the Minister'S fair
countrywomen, Mrs. Patterson and her
sisters. the Misses Cation.
The court of the Prince Regent was
the most scandalously protligate that had
been known in England since the days of
Charles the Second. The Prince, like
the Merry Monarch, openly set decorum
and decency at defiance. Among the
notorious Jerseys, Conynghams, Perditas,
and Mazarenes, who disgraced the court
of George the Fourth, the lovely Ameri-
can Graces stand out in brilliant contrast
in all the sweet enchantment of purest
womanhood.
Early in the Summer of 1916 Mrs. Pat
terson and her sisters We're stopping at
Brussels. The Duke Of Wellington was
there at the same time. The ladies were
extremely anxious to visit Waterloo with
the hero of that battle. After much
persuasion the Duke gave his reluctant
consent. They spent the morning of the
18th of June, the anniversary of the bat
tie. in going over the field, returned to
Brussels late in the afternoon, and dined
together. During the evening Yelling
ton was remarkably quiet, his face wore
a melancholy expression, and frequent
Sighs escaped him. 1t was the first time
the battle, and the most painful impress
sion was made upon his mind by visiting
the scene of his greatest triumph. Mrs.
Patterson, in speaking of the circum-
stance afterward, said great as was her
desire to visit the famous spot under such
favorable auspices, still she would not
have asked the Duke to be one of the
party had she known the great distress it
would have caused him.
Louisa Cation, the youngest of the
American Graces, was the first to marry
in England. On the 1st of March. 1877.
she was welded to Colonel Sir FELTON,
Bathurst IIervey, X. c. b., who had
served with great distinction under the
Duke of Wellington during the Napo-
leOnic wars in Spain. and was aiterward
his aide-de camp at Waterloo. Sir Eel
ton was one of the most gallant English
officers in the Peninsular War, and lost
his right arm ut the battle of Nittoria.
In subsequent battle the Duke sent
him with an order to distant part of
the field. On the way he met Il French
officer galloping toward him. Sir FELTON,
had no sword. he held his bride in his
left hand, but he faced the foe untlinch-
ingly AS they rapidly approached each
other. the Frenchman raised himself in
his stirrups. with his sword uplitted,
ready to strike; but discovering his ad
versary to be dclenceleSs, the chivalrous
Gaul brought down his weapon in the
form of salute, and rode on.
After their marriage, Sir FELTON, and
Lady IIervey We're the recipients of much
attention from the English aristocracy.
Ninnn,. lnrti ins and hills werc niyen to