The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-20

tickets to Marshal MacMahon, who was
at that time president Of the republic,
irnploring his assistance. The kind
hearted old soldier sent back to her by
his aid-de-camp, Col. Robert, her pawn
tickets and sum of $500.
Prince Napoleon, surnamed Plon-
plon, and his sister, Princess Ma
tilda, likewise each contributed a few
hundred dollars to Justine on the
condition that the money should be
applied to the schooling of Roland. The
father, however. Prince Peter. refused
to have anything to do with his chill
dren, having contracted fresh left
handed alliance. At his death, in 1881,
it was found that he left everything he
possessed to his young son, the issue of
his later haison. 1t was by charity,
too, that Roland was placed in a posi-
ton to enter the military college OF St.
Cyr. On graduating from the latter,
with the rank of lieutenant, an Amer
lean born lady of title whose husband,
a French count, had served in the civil
war here, interested herself in behalf
of the young soldier, whose name and
misfortunes aroused her sympathy.
Being acquainted with the old Widow
Blanc, the relict of the founder of the
Monte Carlo establishment, she con-
ceived the idea Of marrying Roland to
Mime. Blanc's daughter Marie. The
marriage took place at Paris, in 1880,
and the bridegroom received on the day
of his wedding not only part
~ IL. h.
lishInent, but also 1000, 900 francs down
in French government bonds Eighteen
months later Roland's wife, who had
meanwhile given birth to little girl,
died in the most sudden and unaccount-
able manner. Indeed, such were the
circumstances of her death that the
government at one moment was on the
point of interfering, and was only de-
barred therefrom, SO it was said at
Paris, by the influence which Roland's
brother-in-law, Edmond Blanc, was
able to bring to bear upon President
Grevy through the latter's son-in-law,
Wilson. People in Paris do not hesitate
to assert that Marie Blanc had come to
be regarded both by her husband and
especially by her mother-in-law, Prin-
cess Justine Bonaparte, as an obstacle
to the ambitious projects which the old
lady as well as her son are well known
to entertain. The prince is now en-
deavoring to secure the hand Of Princess
Letitia, daughter Of the late Prince
Napoleon, and widow of King. Hum
bert's brother, the late duke of Aosta.
Should that marriage ever take place
Prince Roland considers that he will be
in position to put forward, his claim
TO the chieftaincy OF the Bonapartist
party. But little Importance is attached
at Paris to the interest which he affects
in scientific pursuits.
And it is with equal contempt that
the scientific preteEsions of the reign
ing prince of Monaco are regarded by
all the leading French savants, many
of whom have acquired by conversation
with the prince the conviction that he
does not know anything whatsoever
about the questions treated in the elab-
crate reports presented to the various
scientific societies Of Europe in his
name. He is fond of inviting savants
to make use Of his yacht for purposes OF
exploration, and then of appropriating
their discoveries as his own. Anotable
case of this kind furnished the theme
OF a vast amount of discussion in the
French scientific papers during the past
summer. With, regard to the assertion
$50 frequently made that he mo- longer
derives any pecnniary benefit from the
gaming tables, 1t is merely necessary to
refer to the annual report of the Scciete
desaJeux of Monte Carlo, which shows
that-for the year 1901 he received as his
share of the profits net sum7of 10000.
io0e francs. In addition to this the firm.
lin accordance With the terrrssof its con.
tract, paid to him his civil liss of $780,
600. and betrayed the entire expenses
both of-his household and of his gov