New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-14
MARIE LOUISE OF PARMA
TIE HOME LIFE OF A YOUNG PRINCESS.
An EXCURSION on A DONKEY-A PALACE LIKE


were the late Kings OF Rumania un'i Pohucal con-
val>ions lifted them from the ttrone and placed The
Hohenzolerns there. Her villa stands high on
mountain top the shore OF tGe Mediterranean.
the Fashionable seaside resort Of Iiarogsio and
the questionable little town Of Pic'ra'ean'a. The
villa faces the sea. and back OF II, and very near.
are tho white Carrara Mountains, and from Their
meagre sides the white marble glistens Like snow
In the sun.
Looking out from The balcony one day. the pretty
Princess said: ado you that grea; yellow house
on the mountain near Viaregg.ol That IS the coun-
try seat Of the Duke and Duchess OF Parma. lhey
in Austria now. but have the privilege OF going
to the palace when l wish. let Us 80 tomorrow.
take luncheon. and call 1t licnlc'
In this blessed land "Festa' Is not often bhghte1
by rainy day. The morning was perfect. ana We
prepared 10 start nj noon and return BY moonlight
Let 80 together In my donkey cart said the
Princess, "nnl tie rest Of the party In that stupid
landau "Eut my poor donkey" she added. lis
bleeding and suffering from those great horseiles.
shall put on his back big white linen cover. on his
harness olive branches, and on bis four little
legs shall put pantaettes.,
"Pan:aettcs!' l said. convinced that the other
decorations quite conspicuous enough.
Yes; those biz flies not going to touch him
to-day. The groom shah put white cotton pania-
lettc each of my donkey's legs. tying them all at
top and bottom with strings,
"All the people will look at u.s." replied
so they WILL sail the independent young lady.
and think because | have done H. that IL must be
the latest Par!sian mode. They will pantaleitc all
their donkeys Tomorrow
The hour came 10 depart: those who were TO up
hold the dignity Of the party took their places In the
cumbrous carriage. The servants were In their cart
with wraps and luncheon skets all impatient 10
start-al but the donkey. His innate modcS'y re-
bclled against wearing only two pln,actt"S. hut
four Of them and he demonstrated his Indignation
with the legs that they ncascd, Nchlng and leap
ing : only ltalnn donkey AT last ms
toilet was made: olive b0ughs sproutcd from his mar
ness Princess. taking her rlao" In the cart.
ky her side, started the Cavllcadc route for the
ducal villa. Down the sleep mountain road. col
orcd gray green with the foliage Of olive groves past
the vineyards went until arrived al the small
city Of Petra santa. al the foot OF the mountain
We In advance. All the people In IN" sticc's
cazod at us, doors opened. window blinds flew back,
not only 20 look AT the charming Princes. bu' also
to see the donkey OF the pinccss, in It's carnival
attire Past hrdgcs and rose trees white with
August dust. into the country, NJ through green
woods to the mountain side. We drove, ana here we
Lad first gliniae Of the summer home oil the
Duke Of payma-thc brother-in.aw OF The weak ana
wild ana unmana geablc Don Carlos Of spain, whose
villa Is not far away. The original palace Of the
Dukes OF Parma i very Old, long, low building OF
gray stone with dark snail corridors and rooms.
few year, ego the present Dukc added an enormous
palace Of yellow stone. with great galleries ana state
rooms. giving commanding view oi n""hi"luS
and sea. About II Is finely kept park, and beyond
is the great with Its vines aud oAvc groves
woods and fields. The place /, In perfect harmony
with It's surroundings. After our long warm drive,
the Princess and | covered with dust tlI" donkey
subddcd detected. his green lrahchcs wiltcd and
dropping and two Of TIE pantn"tts IN heap around
his shiny little hoofs, did not to say the least.
make Imposing appearance. % when We arrived
at the great gates. srmount~l v.'h the arms bcnr'
ing the famous ncurdc lis Of the Bourbon kings. the
Superclious porter. looking at Us ana not imifesSeu
with the tout ensemble, remarked, have no orders
IN omen the ga,es.7 Thc Printess qhcty said
Bring the majorlomo here and soon that great
mass OF flesh and authority IN view. lie rcc'e'
nlzcd the Princess gave Il quick repiihfl ID INC
humb.ed porter, the great gates opened, ana We were
given the freedom of the place. We sa" The Iahcr
from garrett cellar. We lnchcd In the shady ir"'
and We heard many things about the He 81 the
family The entrance balls were vaultcd and well
proportioned though not vast, the grand salon WAS
enormous with much modern furniture for comfort
and enough old cabinets, carved seats ana staea
chairs for beauty.
In This room aud In the great library. with is
walls IL old Father were the Old portraits oi tbIS
family, portraits of the great kings Of France. OF
the Empress Maria Theresa. Of the h'her oil 'he
present Duke who was assn -sinatcd IN Parma while
walking I'm the street at night. The portrait Of the
present Duke showing "A fine. handsome. rather EnS
llsh type Of face. gives one an idea OF physical
strength rather than OF Intellect. This Duke OF
Inrma not yet an old man by any means. has hnd
eighteen cllldrcn-ihlrecn or fourteen Of whom are
nov uyinr-apd Two wives. The young Princess
Marie Louise who IS bctrothcd 10 Prince Ferdinand
Of bavaria, /, the eldest 81 the family. In going
OYER the palace the Size Of this family was moro and
more Impressed npon me- the upper floor being en-
tir.lv given up to accommodate all these children
I'm the bathrooms-and they were mahy-ihcIc were
little bathtubs 10 bigger than punchbo"l Tor the
Youngest Infant, others Increasing In size uh'ii one
reached the marlic.room, forming a swimming imth
for the elder members OF the household. Then there
were the bedrooms innumcralle IN tlr long Corridors
in one was the little silk and lac covered cradle for
the newest arrival; in another larger cradles Tor The
next size; then came the crib and The single ~da'
and last and most Interesting the large" airy room OF
the Young Princess Maria Louise. Ii WAS furnished
I'm light, finely finished wood. There Was an ihdid
floor and the walls decacly tinted III" ceiling
was frrscocd in pale ins. There were nh extremely
pretty writing desk Of maple and low bookcases hllci
with carefully chosen books In German, French.
Italian ard English. The little Sketches painted 10y
the Princess and her photographs hanging on the
wall gave a homckc air TO the place.
Going below We came to the suite OF dining roors
and here found another division Of the family on"
room was for the six youngest children, with their
children, except the oldest daughter. who dimes In
tl, grandcr dinng.room Of the Duke and Duchess.
As We passed n cardroom the majorfoino SAID
'Thc boys cannot play at cards until they are ola
enough TO abandon knckcrbocker trouserS.' "but''
said Princess Co. that Is bad reasoning, us Wien
boys are old enough to abandon knee brecches that
the danger begins"
The country home Of the Duke and Duchess Is
almost like convent In the rigid rules imposed upon
the children, The boys" are rather hinlegeed'
tall overgrown little fellows, with long, pale iaces
and are under the constant OF two priests. Many
times in the day the family so TO prayers IN '!e
SPLENDID chapel which Is In the palace walls lis
walls are hung with antique red dnmcsk. there Is a
gilt gallery many rich gold and silver ornaments aug
fine picture Of the Madonna over the richly 'VNeIeu
altar. When the children ready for walk, nc
companicd by the priests, They reach u group VI
trees and there kneei and pray an out door hnn
10 God for health and for their blessings, Mhich
seemed to me beautiful idea OF prayer under inc
blue sky. . Ill, h,
The Young Princess Marie Louise has not only Mia
all the best opportunities for culture necessary ana
natural IN her position, but the Influence OF q iran
mil almost severe religious training, when III her