Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-07-14
No. SO


Recent circumstances bring to mind the
story of Il Russi;r. lady who sought refuge i'll
Italy one hundred years ago. This was the
Princess Tarrakanotf, daughter of the En-
press Elizabeth, and a granddaughter OF
Peter the Great. Her father was a singer,
whom her mother had clandcstinely married.
She was Il possible claimant of the throne
occupied by Catherine the Great, but was
living modest and retired life in St Peters
burg. The wrongs inflicted by Catherine ON
Poland excited the anger of Prince Radziyill,
who seeing in the Princess Tarral:anotf an
instrument of revenge, and having gained
the consent of her guardians, had her con-
yeyed, with her gOverness. to Rome Cathe-
rine confscated Prince Radzivills estates,
and when he returned in poverty to Poland
offered to restore them if he would bring the
Princess back to Russia. He complied so far
as to consent not to press her claims to the
throne and to withdraw his protection. Then
Catherine sent Alexis Orlotl, one OF her
favoritcs, to italy, who, needing Il confederate,
called to his aid Neapolitan william named
Ribas. Rbas visited the Princess. pretend
ing that he was drawn to her by sympathy
with her mistortunes. Having won the con-
tidence of the unsuspecting girl, he informed
her that he come commissioned by OrlOff to
offer her the throne Of Russia, which she had
been told by Prince RadZivill was hers by
inheritance.
Orloff was afterwards introduced to her,
and being young, hondsome and fascinating,
he won her heart and offered her his hand.
She was an inexperienced girl OF sixteen, and
obeyed all his suggestions. He expressed Il
70 I,, inI bx-t tlo(
having hired Williams to assume the office of
priest and witnesses, had mock ceremony
performed after which he hired magnificent
palace in Pisa, where she was taken to reside
pending the expected revolution that Was TO
place her on the throne. Orlotf played adj
mirably the role Of tender and atfectiOnatc
husband, seeming to have no object in life
but to crafty her every taste and wish. The
Russian fleet appeared opportunely III the
neighboring port of Leghorn, and he enticed
her thither Oh the pretense OF business, find
ing her home at the house of the English
Consul. Here her beauty and rank brought
her great attention, and she was constantly
surrounded by Il brilliant circle. She asked
to visit the fleet, and day was appointed
for the purpose. She was taken from shore
in Il boat splendidly equipped, filled with
ladies of the city and her recently acquired
friends The fleet received her with music,
cheers and volleys Of artillery. She was
hoisted up the side of the ship in Il magl,if-
cent chair, but no sooner had her foot touched
the deck than she was haadeuffed and taken
to the hold. She wept at the feet of her
supposed husband, but could not move him.
1t was said that he had presented the poison
ed cup to the late Car at GATHERINGS COM
mand She was taken to Russia and im-
prisoned in Il fortress on the banks OF the
Neya, but whether she was murdered or
drowned in an inundation that occurred a
few years later was never known. The
manner IN which she was taken from Italy
was considered to be in violation OF interna-
tional comfy, and remonstrances were made
by Tuscany and Austria, but without result.
The Princess Tarrakanoff has since taken
her place among the Niobes of history beside
Lady Jane Grey and other hapless women,
become by chance the victims of royal re-
sentiment She has been made the heroine
of several historical novels. which are now
forgotten.