, 1884-06-25
Bx-QUEBN
Appearance or n Famous woman
Her Life In the French Capital.

INC LILO In Nne french Capital.
Lucy H. Hooper in Chicago Currentl
do not think that Queen Isabella at any
period Of her lifo could have been considered
handsome. She in no wise resemble the dark.
eyed, imporious beauty. her mother. But In
her young days youth and freshness, Joined
by that divinity that both hedges n sovereign,
undoubtedly caused her TO be credited with
a certain degree OF personal attractions. Up
to the present season the queen has resided
in France ever since her dethronement. 1t
was in Paris that che signed the act of
abdication in favor Of her son, now king Of
SPAN. Her popderous figure and good
natured face are as well-known at the opera or
In the Bois de Boulogne, as were those of the
Empress Eugene In bygone days.
Her embonpoint is really extraordinary,
and she increases hsr apparent size by always
dressing in pale, delicate tints, pearl gray in
the daytime and white at night being her
favorite colors. Her features are large, her
eyes blue and her complexion horid. At
times her skin bears the marks of tho hered-
itnry Bourbon malady, namely, s~crofula,
from which the entire royal family OF Spain
are great sufferers. Her mannersare charm
ing. No princess in Europe returns a saluta-
ton with n more admirable blending OF
courtesy and dignity or receives a visitor
with more royal grace.
'N N'NNNt~ ~ a -L1 ~ 800
bella bns been much tormented with financial
difficulties. She is extravagant in her chart
ties as in her personal expenditure. She used
when she first came to Paris to bestow So on
every beggar that asked aims Of her. When
demonstrated with her answer wasi
could a queen give lessf'
She is passiouately fond Of dress, aud is one
of Worth's most assiduous customers. It
was through her influence that her present
aNV@lN Ar -. L. 49,. -. 4
the greater part OF her trousseau OF that re.
nowned king of fashion, instead Of having all
her dresses made in Vienna or Madrid. Dur
ing the existence of the Spanish republic
Queen Isabella was reduced to such straits
that she disposed of the greater portion of
her large collection of jewels at auction. She
farmed out the royal table, it being supplied
by u contractor ut 80 much a head per diem.
Yet, withal, her acts of kindnessa and gener.
osity suffered no diminution. For instance,
an ex-prima donna, who now resides in PUris,
and VINO in bygone years was a reigning
favorite at the opera house in MadriI, secs
her drawing-room and antschamber filed
annually with a collection of choice and
costly plants by order OF the royal lady, who
was once among the most nssiduous OF her
hearers And this graceful and kindly Mt
tention was maintained all through the pc
riod of Queen Isabella's pecuniary diticultioa
These, however, came to an end 80 soon as
Alfonso XII assembled the throne OF Spain.
The queen docs not get along well with her
new dnughter-in-law. Queen Christina is
very intellectual, very high spirited and a
thorough Austrian in many respects. She
detests the national pastime OF the bull-aght.
Being asked once by one Of her country
women how abe could endure it, she made
answer:
You know l am terribly n~ear-sighted-
Well, somehow l always forget 70 take my
eyeglass with me-"
On tho other hand. Queen Isabella is a most
ardent patroness OF the sport of the Spanish
arena. This point of difference, united to a
multitude Of others, has hindercd the two
royal ladies from becoming fast friends.
Ihey keep out OF eacn others way-that is
nil