The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-25
HIS MAJESTY
IS AST0UNDED
King Kumb3Tl Of IIalV Shocked al tho Aa.
daCIy OIL Princess La9iitia
ROYALTY RACES ON A bicycle
The Beautiful Sistar-in Law of Italy's
Sovereign and Daughter of Plon
Flon Surprises the Gossips by Dis
playing Her Charms Astride a Cycle
That Was Euilt for One--KngIy
Anger lncensed at This Breach of
Etiquette.
Eor Me Natlrdan Tribune

Princess Laetitia, duchess of Aosta, sis
ter-in-law Of the king Of Italy, daughter
of Plon Plon, or Prince Napoleon, created
n sensation tho other day by riding to the
race track, near Turin, on a bicycle.
Princess Laotitia is widow. She is
handsome, tall, athletic, and her 175
pounds avoirdupois is judiciously distrib
uted over her fine figure. She does not
mind exhibiting her beautiful neck and
arms.
1t was the day of the Grand Prix, and
all Turin, with its wealth, beauty and
royalty, found its way to the race track
Tho Duchess Of Genoa made her appear
ance in gala coach and six, driven from
the saddle. There wCro the Princess Isa.
bells outdders in scarlet livery. But the
popular Princess Dnetitia, which is the
Latin for merriment wac not to be seen.
1t was almost time for the start The
stands were crowded, and the mob outside
the ratings was impatient. Fearful of a
riot, the syndico Of Turin sent mounted
messenger to the palace to inquire when
her royal highness might be expected
The officer reappoarod after about five
minutes, galloping wildly and motioning
the guards at the royal entrance to open
the gates.
Everybody rose, everybody stood on tip
toe, hats and handkerchiefs in the air, ma.
tional anthem by the band, soldiers and
army officers preparing for salute. But
what was it they saw? No positions in
gay dress, no plumed horses heads, no
carriage decorated with flowers. Instead
the syndico's man was leading o small BIZ
cycle brigade into the grounds and at the
head of it Principessa Letizia Bonaparte,
duchess of Aosta, followed by the Marquis
di Castcllineo, grand master of ceremony;
Countess Coli di Felizzano first lady in
waiting; Count Ayogadro de Collobiato
ct Carlisle Of the late dukes military
household; Principessa Morozzo della
Rocca, another lady of honor, and several
chamberlains, all mounted on bicycles.
The princess wore black silk tights, pat
ent leather boots with leggings, a divided
skirt of heavy black silk ornamented
with silver thread and close fitting waist
Of the same material. She wore white
silk yachting cap and around her waist
silver girdle with numerous attachments
on small silver chains. Among them were
penknife, pair of scissors in leather
case, writing pad and pencil and several
other things.
The faces of the Duchess Of Genoa and
the Princess Isabel were study. To say
they looked daggers at their relative is
putting 1t very mildly indeed, but the
manner in which Laetitia received Their
greetings was delicious They were icy.
She was elusive. They tried to frown her
down, and Laetitia by simply appearing
at the balustrado Of the box evoked ire
mcndous applause, such rs in Italy is only
accorded to Queen Marguerite.
During the races the princess occupied
herself with bettip wildly and receiving
the gentlemen WI called to pay their re.
spects. She dis aged lot cG money, but
kept tally sheet OF her bets on her writ
ing pad.
She likewise drank champagne freely
and otherwise conducted herself with so
much democratic abandon that the D.lch-
ess Of Genoa drove rapidly away in dis
gust, taking the Princess Isabel with her.