Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-07-05
MODERN CLEOPATRA.
The Great and EVIL Fortune OF
Pauline Bonaparte's Niece.


Never say that one is fortunate till
you witness the close of his or her life,
says Paris letter To the London
Truth. You must have seen in your
diplomatic wanderings in Paris, Turin,
Florence, Rome, and Marid tn at
worthy niece Gin regard TO beauty and
so on) of Pauline Bonaparte, Marie
Letitia Bonaparte-Wyse, successfully,
by her IN lrriages, Comtesse de Solms,
Signora Rattazzi. and Dona de Rute.
Was there ever "A human bel ng
whose life seemed so rosy as hers, or
whom nature had made more proof TO
the vexations and troubles which lie
heavy on most daughters Of Eve? In
many respects this fair otfshoot OF the
Bonapartes afforded par ,llel TO Cleo
patra, who, Mrs. jameson says, was
bewitching To the last because she ex-
ercised the sorcery of good nature.
Like Cleopatra. Marie Bonaparte-
Wyse was sparkling, genial, magnifi-
cent, OF IA happy-go-lucky temper, and
bohemian, if one looks upon bohem-
ianism as emancipation from cant and
mind-crippling prejudices, some OF
which, ] own, may have their social
uses. She had always in her train the
most eminent men of the different
capitals, in which she turned up
periodically to shine out for a short
time in splendid belongings and sur
roundings. She also shone as a muse,
whose fingers were never soiled with
ink, and who stole from Venus her
girdle aud cortege of graces. Her
house, or palace, or chalet, near AK,
was in the daytime given up to author
ship, editorship, and preparation for
festivity and 20 elegant revelry in the
evening. The lady OF the house when
she saw company (and nobody ever
knew when she was not seeing it) was
in raiment of dazzling beauty. But
she looked in il and in her wondrous
jewelry as pleased as child in pref
ty Sunday frock, and courtei admira-
tion in "A way that enhanced her sor-
Gerry.
never saw Lady Blessington, she
having been long before my time. But
fancy there must have been points OF
similarity between her Gore house
parties and those OF the particular
great niece of the great Napoleon Of
"
amusing salon than that OF Nine.
Rattazzi de Rute nobody could fancy.
She was constant TO old friends, was
always recruiting new ones, and was
hospitable to all Old Dumas used to
copy manuscripts and help TO cook her
dinners, which were served on yermeil
plate, with the imperial crown and
eagle engraved on them A few win
ters ago she entertained four prime
ministers. Baron Won Beust, De Les
seps CASTELAR,, and bards from all
parts, at a joyous dinner at Trouville.
The most ro,eate phase OF her life
was at the Hotel d'Aquila, which she
afterward sold TO Mrs. Mackay's sister.
She was then for three or four years
the widow of Sig. Rattazzi, and then
the bride of "a quite young Spanish
deputy, Don Luis de Rute. The Hotel
d Aquila was n folly" of the uncle of
the ex-kiig Of Naples, who ruined
himself in building IT, and was fitted
up by Nine. Rattazzi according TO her
Cleopatran taste for elegant magnif-
cence. The hall was surrounded by
marble busts and statues OF the Bona
parte family, and facing the emperor
was one Of herself letting fall an arm
full of roses.
Don Luis de- Rute was nephew of
Rosas, the Spanish liberal. a man Of
many accomplishments, and the un-
deniable countryman Of Don QuiXote.
If ever "A man was held in willing bon
daee by woman, he was by his wife,
of whom he was the devoted, humble
servant, never seeking TO curtail her
liberty or Directing TO any OF her
friends. The glamor she cast upon
him when he first saw her as muse at
Madrid, surrounded by a court OF bards
and It itesmen. never faded from his
eyes. She valued his devotion to her
and to beautiful daughter whom she
had had by Ratt1zzi, and became deep
ly in love with him. About four years
ago Nine. de Rute presented her
husband with twins. one OF whom
died at its birth. The surviving one
was called Dolores or Lola II
seemed ridiculous misnomer. All
. that was joyous and rosy in the
mothers lie appeared 10 be fhcarnate
in the child, which was q paragon of
! infantile beauty and precociOus wit
and intellect. Dolores became the
idol of the household, and was a sun
| shine Wherever she went People
used TO say what luck her mother had
to be so blessed in her maternity. But
wait a bit. The luck was to bring
forth an eternal blight and sorrow up
on sorrow.
Last October Lola was playing in her
mothers grounds at Ak. A horse
near which she ran dashed out and kick
ed her in the forehead. The child was
taken in dead 10 father and mother.
with her brains ooZing out through a
cash. could not have conceived the
latter broken hearted and utterly
crushed had not seen her. Since this
calamity she took no interest in any
thing but portraits and busts OF Lola,
which she tried to paint and model
from memory. The unfortunate de
Rute said TO me: 1.-THE least thing
would now kill me. Since Dolores
was taken from me | fell an old man,
though not yet -. The gashed fore
head Of the little beauty is always pres
ent in my mind. It's misfortune "a
have tender heart, because heart sui
ferings are so eXecruciating. / see IL
the papers that a small thing did carry
- L. II