Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-05

| The Nod But Beautiful Princess whoss
Statue by Canova 10 famoaa

The Dsd But Beaatiful Princsss whess
Statue by Canova 10 FamouA
Paris Letter to Chicago Herald
The most famous though not the most pre-
cious work Of art in the Borghese collection is
the Canova statue OF the Princess Pauline Bor-
cheese She was the second daughter of Charles
and Letitia Bonsparte therefore Q sister OF
Napoleon i, and il was apropos Of this statue.
IL mistake not. that a famous anecdo,e got
into circulation. Some Of the lAdie. of the i'm
perial court were discussing the subject. when
one OF them, drawer than the rest, yentured 70
ask the Princess Pauline, who was then in
Paris. how could she possibly have posed naked
Tor is. why, the studio was kept very warm. :"
was her reply. Whether the anecdote is a true
one or not does not matter much. but certainly
the bewitching Pauline posed for the Canoya
statue IN a state Of nudity. 1t represents her
as Venus Nictrix, holding in her hand the gol-
den apple as the prize of victory When |
wept to look at it found her caressingly re-
posing on bed, ensconced in drapery osten-
sibiy as q cover to her nakedaess, and vet 90
arranged as to expose her symmetrical form in
AL Its beauty.
Pauline was the loveliest Of Napoieon's sis
ters and the least yirtuous. With the hot blood
OF the south running through her veins size
rlpened TO maturity long before she was out o,
her teens and attracted numerous admirers
Nine Ducrest, writing of her, says: ''She was
the loyelIest woman L ever beheld. There was
not the slightest imperfection In her delicious
face, to which was joined an elegant figure and
the most seductive grace. She was an incom-
parable beauty, but she had little or no instruc-
tion. no conversational powers. and her man
ners were exceedingly dissolute." IL Seems
only TOO probable that there was truth in the
terrible accusations laid 10 the charge of this
lovely but prohigate woman. but fortunately
she mad redeemiag qualities. With all her
1ralines she was not a nIischief-maker; she
might put out her tongue to her Sister-iu-law
oehlnd her back and cry because Josephine had
inner jewels than she had, but she never tor
tured her like her brother and sisters did, and
never allowed her to be swayed by politica,
motives to do bad act.
In 1877, when Napoleon was at the chateau
OF Montebello, already playing the sovereign
ne sent Joseph to Marmont with the propose
tnat he should marry Pauline. Marmont de-
ciined and the offer which be refused was ac-
copied by Gen. Leclerc. a brilliant young Off
Ger OF no great stamina, who may have been
ignorant OF Paulines liaisons. though that with
the actor Lsfoat OF the Theater Franeaise had
made noise enough. Gen. Leclerc died in ST.
domingo of yellow fever, and Pauline returned
to Paris. Having little confidence in her and
anxious that she should conduct herself de-
Gently at all events during the time she would
nave to pass IN mourning, Napoleon eonfded
her to the care OF his brother Joseph and his
as she was before her marriage IN spite OF the
threats and circumstances of Napoleon. Then
came the chance to marry Prince Borghese the
liaison between them having become go public
that wedding was necessary. The wedding
caused quite a tut.er among the old families
OF the Faubourg St German, who felt them
selves suddenly brought into contact with the
Bonapartes. Strange to say, no official notiii-
cations were made Of this marriage. The GER
emony was celebrated without any pomp at
Joseph's country residence of Mortfontaine, in
the absence Of Napoleon, who was at the camp
Of Boulogne.
1t was the statue Of this princess that Canova
esteemed as one of his best works. and if refer
to II today it is because il came very near being
thrown on the market few DAYS ago, some
thing that was only prevented by the Italian
government Fancy a prince OF one OF the
most patrician families that Rome has ever
known finding himself bard up. but that is
what aiis the Borghese. lie owes 5000 900
and wants to sell his celebrated gallery OF pic
lures and statuary, but as the government Of
Italy opposed his doing So family relatives
have managed to raise l3,o09.000 francs or 50
with which be may stand on few of those
who are pushing him too closely.