New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-25
A BEA UTIFUL JANUARY BRIDE.
TIE FUTURE QUEEN OF wURTEMBURG.

OF the many brides VI the first month Oh
the year, Of the most beautiful ana ih%r-
esing will certainly be the Young Archducness
sophia who, January "a. Is to become the WIZ u
Duke Albert OF Wuitemberg heir presllmptiVe 10 w"
throne Of Wmtemberg Tie Archduchcss Is twenty
two years Of age and perhaps the most lovely men,
Der Of the Imperial family OF Austria. having largo
and brilliant eyes OF a bright blue and profnsion OK
fair hair. which she somewhat In the nature os
a cor0net. She was mn only child when her mother
died. and her fathers third wife, the ArchducheSs
Marie Tl.rese never took very kindly TO her prede-
cesSors offspring. II by her stepmother sugges-
ton. indeed that she sent 10 the Convent Tor
Noble Ladies at Prague over which she has presided
for several years Lady Abbess. AS such the Arch
duchess at all court functions ana oicfI cere-
monies n peculiar costume OF black. something similar
TO that OF Queen Marie Stuart and with Medici
run collar. She, moreover dons with this costume
a gold crown somewhat in the shape OF mitre. ana
bears In her hand long ebony wand OF Office thcEly
studded with precious and nlad with gold. Her
predecessor Lady Abbess OF this convent was Arn'
duchess Christina who IS now Queen Regent OF spalns
Archduchess Sophia. It NAV be added. Is o very
clever artist and In an album belonging to her most
intimate friend. Princess Marie. daughter Of the Duke
Of Parma Bourbon. there is "A spirited sketch by tho
Archduchess IN water coors representing two litue
girls I'm Kate Creenaway dresses. OF whom has
gathered mp her SKIRTS ard IS runrIng away, While
the other purSues her With large album In her
hands Below is written In English. Beware OF
scrap book girls" Her stfpbo'hes and sisters are
exceedingly flnd OF her. and when. eighteen months
ago. she lying at the point OF DEATH stricken
with an attack OF typhoid fever they accustomed
10 go daily to OF the pretcst churches IN VIENNA
hidden away in the narrow streets OF the Oldest ara
central portion Of the city. and dedicated to 81.
Mary OF Perpetual Assistance. IN order 10 pray for
the fair patient. AS soon as the yonng Archdnchess
was restored TO health she sent "a thank Offering
-
diamonds 1t which she had worn AT her first ball.
She likewise presented to the chnrc.. the chain tho
cross and the ring which she Lady Abbesss
the and ring being Set In diamonds and with
very fine and large emcralds. These valuabes now
Ggurc the image Of the Virgin on the high altar
OF this church.
The VOWS which the Archduchess has pronounced
as Abbess OF the Convent Of the Imperial Chapter are
merely Of d temporary character and involve neither
celbacy renuncatlon OF mundane pleasures ana
,sinus,yn,ei.tS. The convent was founded by the
great Empress Marie 1hsrese 80 years ago. and Its
headquarters In adraschIn. royal palace In the
Bohemian capital. The members OF the order are
ignated rs The latter are called upon
10 furnish genealogical qualifications for admission TO
the order rs exacting as those OF the Knights OF
Malta Besides admission to the continental courts'
membership In this and few more analogous
feminine orders confers upon Its holder tie right
Of being addressed as Madame In lieu OF Miss,
and endOWS ner even III spIlster' WIN OH pc '"'"s
status independence and immunity Of married.
woman
Archduchess Sophas wedding will take place In tho
absence OF her Oldest and favoHte brother, the Arch
duke Francis Ferdinand of whom she has Just taken
leave At Trieste on his departure for tour round
the world Archduke Francis Ferdinand Is the heir
presumpt,ve to the thrope Of AustroIiungary.
Duke Albert, the bridegroom. IS q very charming
Young fellow only couple Of years older than his
nancee and very good-oohing lie has, more
over, the advantage Of being enormously weaHny'
being the son OF the only daughter Of old Archduke
Albert % Austria the generalssimo Of the Imperial
forces. and the richest man of The entire Emprss
lie had another daughter but she died same twenty
five years ago from the effects OF injuries WHICH,
She had received from dress catching fire. 1t had
been SET alght by a cigarette which she was en-
dcavorDg TO conceal from her father when ne WA
entering the room.