New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-10
COUNTESS SOPHIE Won MERENBERG.

COUNTESS SOPHIE Won MERENBERG.
of German Princesses in St. Petersburg wonder
that their sisters are still content TO exchange hap
BY homes for misery and grand-ducal honors.
Even Russiens of inferior degree affect superiority
over daughters of reigning German houses who
make St. Petersburg their home. They pretend
to laugh at their simplicity, the cut Of their
gowns, the pronunciation of their French and the
crudity of their manners. To the sensitive Ger
man woman of high degree, these criticisms are
trying Their popularity depends, as rule
upon the rapidity with which they emancipate
themselves from their TeuiOnc traditions and
acquire a love for Russo-Parsian forms and In
situations Persecution or neglect has been. with
few exceptions their lot, and their biographies In
detail would furnish piquant and interesting
reading.
The Oldest German Princess living in Russia
to-day is the Grand Duchess Alexandra jose
phouna, q daughter of the House of Altenberg.
In lS45. when eighteen years Old She
married the Grand Duke Constantine, the cid
est brother of Alexander II. Famous for her
talents accomplishments and beauty, the Princess
passed the first years of her marital life hap
PLY and contentedly. But her life was en-
FILTERED, and heavy cares now weigh upon her.
Her eldest son, the Grand Duke Nicholas kons-
tantnoyitch, early disgraced his name and was
found guilty of theft. Several years ago, in con-
sequence of his crime he was banished from his
home and country and deprived of his titles and
honors.
But the infdelity and cruelty OF her husband
have been even harder 10 bear. For years he
neglected the beautiful Grand Duchess and lived
with notorious woman in Paris and the Crimea.
Two years ago, an old man, broken down in health
and spirits, he returned to the mother of his
legitimate children. But his presence is no con-
ISOLATION to the aged Princess. His mind is gone :
his body is diseased lie is even unable to thank
the wife, who, despite the indignities which he
cast upon her, nurses him as tendery as a child
She has lived the life of a martyr and eXcites
the sympathy of native and foreigner alike.
The life of the Princess Alexandra of Olden.
burg, who married Nicholas NIlolajevitch
another brother of the late Gar, has been even
more pitiable The shameful infdelity of her
husband has been her heavy cross. Soon after
his marriage the Grand Duke fell victim to the
charms of Nine. Tschislova, the famous danseuse
Inadelity alone did not satisfy the brutal husband
He was brazcn enough to bring his mistress and
her children into the palace in ST. Petersburg and
to allow her to abuse and insult his wife in the
most shameful way Family quarsels became a
daily occurrence. The Grand Duchesss son NichO-
las be it said to his credit, defended his mother
and quarrecd with his father. More than ten
wears ago the poor woman. heartbrOken retired
70 a convent in Kew, where she has remained
ever since, sadly regretting the DAY she left her
German lone.
The Grand Duchess Maria Paulowna, wife of
Vladimir eldest brother of the present Gar is also
German Princess, the daughter of the Grand
Duke of observation-disclosures. Owing TO her
determination, early made manifest, TO adhere to
the religion Of her fathers, the Grand Duchess was
singled out as object of persecution. Although
her character is spotless she has been maligned
time and again. People have called her a traitor
to the country and have accused her of betray-
ing state secrets to Prince Bismarck with whom
she was supposed to stand in league. Bismarck,
it is true, was her friend and admirer, but her
treachery has never been proved. The pleasant
and charming ways Of Che Grand Duchess have,
in fact aroused the jealousy Of the Czarina whose
deafness detracts much from her natural grace
and attractiveness That jealousy, in fact, has
rpened into hatred, which is shared by the
Car, and was made manifest by a recent I'M
perial order For years it has been the custom
of tho Princess TO accompany her husband to the
manoeuvres at KraSnoe. SzeO, where he was in
command There she became great favorite OF
the soldiers Every morning she mounted her
horse and rode to the fields where the troops
were encamped to bid them, in accordance with
time-honored Russian custom, good morning"
The men waited with Impotence for her appear
ance, and replied to her greeting with a force
and spirit that alarmed the Czarina. She feared
that her prestige might suffer and induced the
Gar in consequence TO issue an order permitting
the Empress alone to bid the troops good morn
ing" In case the command is dlsrega rded by the
Princess the troops forbidden 10 answer under
threat of arrest. But the Gar has gone even
further HencefOrth the Grand Duchess is not TO
tary Jorrneys. Her presence, 1t is feared, might
eopardize the popularity Of her Imperial sister
in-law.
The married life Of the Grand Duchess Vladimir
has been happy and peaceful during the last few
wears. In her earlier days, however, il was beset
with many thorns Many children have blessed
the union and become the delight Of their mother
and father.
One German Princess only has been fortunate
in the choice Of her husband Princess Elizabeth
of Sachsen-A ltenberg whe married the Grand
Duke Constantine. jr., has led happy marital
life The Grand Duke long ago declared that he
would not interfere with his wlfes religious
preferences, and has kept his word. The Grand
Ducal parents have gone little into society and
have devoted their time 10 their lovely chldrcn
But persecution has come T. the Princess from
Ter - rcnounce her religion. In fact, lie was
made 50 unattractive u the poor woman that 20
left ST. Petersburg a few weeks ago Tor her Ter
man home Before saying farewell 70 Russia She
declared that she would never return without the
Assurance that she might worship here " psass.