The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-01
ROMAN SOCIETY.
1t Holds ut ARMS Length, tho Wife of
statesman crLspL

1t Holds ut ARMS Length tIto Wife OF
statesman crtspL
Philadelphia Irg4
Every reader OF Thackeray will re-
member the Torlania family, the headoi
which, Duke Leopold Torlania, has just
died. Few, however, are aware that the
family is OF French origin. The grand
father of the late duke hailed from Au-
yercne, was named Torlogne, and was
one OF the contractors OF the French
army during the Italian campaigns OF
the first Napoleon. AT the conclusion
Of the wal he settled at Rome and es-
tablished a banking business there.
His son took advantage OF the system oil
government which prevailed in the Pa.
pal states and almost trebled his faith
er's fortune by farming the tobacco mo-
nopoly, while tho late duke has still
further augmented the family wealth
by iudicious speculation and fortunate
Investments. The late duke was, not
w%ithstanding his peterborough, one OF
the most popular men in Roman socie.
ty, and for several years occupied the
post of MAYOR of the Eternal city. He
was also president OF the leading boat
ing and yachting clubs, and took a
leading part in the organization OF the
Roman hunt and of the horse RACES.
Dona Eleanora, his wife, or rather, !
should say, his widow, is o member OF
the noble Sicilian house OF Belmonte,
and is one OF the most beautiful and at
the same time ~aristocralic grande
danes OF Rome. 1t was she who
brought about the dismissal OF her hus-
band from the mayoralty OF Rome by
the snub which she administered in the
saloon OF the English Ambassadress,
Lady Paget, to the wife OF Prime Minis
ter Crispi.
Madame Crispi, previous to her mar
rage, had been one oil the most noto.
rious women of Syracuse, and 80 well
known were her antecedents that for a
long time Queen Marguerite refused to
receive her. When at length she forced
her way to court and Queer. Marguerite
had been reluctantly obliged to admit
her to her presence, Madame Crispi de-
termined to make a great effortto break
down the barrier which shut her out OF
49, AEN L|#"
Roman society. H
Bearing in mind the proverb which
asserts that charity covers a multitude
OF sins, she decided that the best man
mer Of obtaining her object would be
to promote an entertaipment or fair for
some popular benevolent institution.
Awaiting herself OF this pfetext she
called upon all the principal leaders OF
Roman society for the purpose OF in
yoking their assistance. With the eX-
ception OF foreign embassies and lega.
tons, she found ali doors closed against
her.
While calling on Lady Paget, the Eng
lish ambassadrcss, she happened to
meet the young duchess OF Torlonia,
who, but a few days before, had de.
clined to receive her. With brazen eff
frontery, Madame Crispi attempted to
avail herself of the opportunity to enter
into conversation with the duchess,
who thereupon Immediately arose and
took her departure, explaining in clear
and audible tones to the ambassadress
that no Roman lady could ever submit
to the indignity OF remaining in tho
same room with such a woman as the
wife Of the prime minister OF Italy.
Signor Crispi ia devoted to his wife and
is entirely subject to her influence,
hence no one was astonished when, q
few days later, he availed himself OF
some frivolous pretext to dismiss the
duke Of Torlonia from his post OF mayor
of Rome in a most insulting and igno-
minlous manner.
Duke orlonia was succeeded as mayor
Of Rome by another duke, namely, Don
Onorato, duke Of %Sermoneta, who is
married to an Englishwoman, a relative
of the earl OF Lathom. His mother,
who is still alive, is likewise an English.
woman, being a daughter OF the late
Lord Howard do Walden and OF Lady
Lucy Bentinck. The duke Of Sermonota
has now resigned the office Of mayor,
and among the candidates nominated
for the post is no less q person than ex-
Prime Minister Crispi.
Should he be elected, Us he is likely
to be, the position OF mayoress OF Rome
OF the Eternal ~City-which was held
during tho past decade by two of the
grandestladies otthe Roman aristocracy,
will devolve upon a woman who was
formerly a member Of the demi.monde
OF a small provincial town of Italy.