Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-02
AN AMERICAS Gr.L IN SPAIN.
The Strange Career 81 Miss Nenslep
and Her influence ever the Late Dom
Fernando.

From the Paris American Register
The remarkable romance of an American
woman was called to mind by the cable dis
patch some days ago announcing the death Of
Dom fernando, OF Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The
widow who survives him was q Miss Hensle-.
OF Boston-a singer of great repute twenty-five
years ago, and now known In Europe a.
Countess d'Edla. Dom Fernando once held
the regency Of Portugal and was offered the
throne OF Spain, but declined it. His palace,
known as the Convent at Cintra, and described
by Byron In the opening of "Childe Harold" is
one OF the most picturesque in Europe He was
oemOcraic In bis taste, and when at his prime
eni3yea iiie at the expense of some of the rules
Miss Hensler, of Boston, was q young woman
OF many rare accomplishments and great
pea Ieauty s She was friend Of the poet Longtel-
ioremoss people OF her native city. Having q
superb voice she went to opera, and in 1856
sang IN New York the role of Donna Elotsu in
Don giovanni Later she appeared in the
Grand Opera House at Lisbon. Dom Fernando
t had been WHOEVER for several years, and was
OF her and had her made court singer. This
ended her career on the stage and she was
never never again heard Ia America A woman
Hensler: WIN N-'''
In september. 1868, was ON my way to
spain, asd when arrived at Bordeaux no
port. On the first day out from Bordeaux l was
assigned the second place at the table on the
TO hi Oh as she captain as had been commended
the Leading London journals. The first position
on the LEFT of the captain was given TO a fine
years 3D. Her manser and DO aaDSs
tion were easy and indicated person of educa-
tion and position. There were in the first saloon
an international mixture of Frenchmen, Ital.
ians, Germans, Engushmen and Americans
during our nrst stage OF four days from Bordeaux
70 Lisbon heard this lady converse with her
fellow HaE2QnUaro fnt1p Ion
sented by the nationalities above mentioned.
On our second day out, while conversing with
promenade of the steamer. fell into a ram
ping talk about various persons in the Old and
New World: Among the latter we talked much
ing, observed the lady referred to above not
lar from US. 6usily plying her needle. Our con-
versation had nothing to conceal, and we prob
ably talked In rather loud voice, for, after my
companion had gone away, the lady turned to
me and said: 4 accidentally heard you speak
my affirmative reply she told me that both he
Of hers in America. Her further conversation
very best people of Boston and vicinity
Before we arrived at Lisbon I was informed
that the lady IN question was Miss Hensler,
VINO was SAID TO have an acknowledged liaison
of the most intimate nature with Dom Fer
nando, the father Of the king of Portugal. Dom
Fernando was In the Portuguese man-ofwar at
royal barSes came for her, and her baggage was
exempted from customs and custom house
offcias. Just as she was about to leave the
steamer she extended her hand to say good.
bye, when asked her, What shall say for
you to your friends In America? She gave me
penetrating but not offended look and there
was something in the tone OF her voice which
seemed to imply that beautiful word CHARITY
and then she said to me, oh, say nothing for
they would not and could not understand my
position
Five months afterwards had returned from
Brazil and saw Mr.. Longiellow and Mr.. Tom
Appleton. They both spoke to q HIGH.
est terms of Miss Hensler. Mr. Appleton did
not hesitate to affirm from what lie knew of
Miss Hensler that she was either Dom Fernan.
dos wife or would be.
Whatever may have been the truth concern
ing the early relations between Dom Fernando
and Miss Hensler 1t is q historical fact that he
was most earnestly and consistently devoted
episode OF his refusal of the throne of Spain
was the most signal proof of that. In 1869,
after the Spaniards had got rid of Isabella.
mother of the recently deceased Alfonso, q
reputation OF grandees went about through the
royal highways of Europe looking for some
BODY TO place on the vacant throne. They be.
thought themselves Of Dom Fernando, who was
living quietly at the palace of Cintra. He had
mace most successful and satisfactory ruler
during his regency over Portugal from 1853 to
1861. When they went to him with their pro-
position he asked this direct question:: s.If ac.
cept the throne OF Spain, how about my wife?"
Ihey said. after some confusion, she would still
be his wife. But would she be his queen? No.
Wen, that settled 1t. The deputation of gran
who held out two years and then gave over the
undertaking of being King OF Spain in despair
Dom Fernando remained at home with his
American wife,"