The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-10
The Ey-Enprrrs EuYrnle

For some weeks our talks have been OF
women whose lives, spent IN the pursuit
OF what was noble, were crowned, IN OH
age with the love and honor OF the
world and were happy In the knowledge
OF the happiness which, in one way or an
other. they had conferred upon others.
In contrast to these. we viii take
glimpse to-day at the earlier life Of Eu-
genie de Montijo once an empress. and
thought in her brilliant youth TO be the
most beautiful woman la Europe. The
tinted pictures Of her do indeed show us
an exquisite face and figure, the com
plexion brilliant. the eyes large and dark
and long dashed, the features fauuess,
and the head crowned with a verltable
glory Of rich auburn hair But 1t is not
a merely beautiful face. 1t is the face
Of a woman gifted with a fine mind and
great personal attractiyeness. and OF
woman who, having spent her glow
ing youth and middle age in the pursuit
of whatever ministers 10 vanity. Is now
living the hapleSs days OF old age that
never fail to follow Lonely, no longer
beautiful, no longer an Empress. Eugene
is a living lesson.
Now let us learn something Of her his
tory She was born in Spain in ls26, in
the beautiful province Of Granada. Her
father. the Count de Montjo. was
Spanish nobleman. but he died before
the birth Of his lovely daughter.
Her mother Maria Manuela Kirkpat-
rick, was q descendant of a Scotch family
Of the Roman Catholic faith.
She passed her childhood in the city OF
Madrid. where our own Washington r.
wing met her and became well acquainted
with her family. 1t is said that the lit
tie girl became very fond OF the great
writer because he never tired OF telling
her wonderful stories.
She was sent first TO Toulouse and then
to Bristol TO be educated. and when her
education was completed was quite as
graceful and charming in manner as she
was beautiful to look upon.
In a tour in company with her moth
er through the larger cities OF Europe,
she was in each the belle and while in
London she met her future husband,
Louis Napoleon, an ignObie man al
though for brief time ruler OF great
nation. Her life thereafter was series
Of extravagant galeties and efforts TO
display at its best advantage the marvel.
lOus beauty she possessed. She displayed
as many as four dresses a day. and accu-
mulated n collection q fans. iurS. laces.
and Jewels the like Of which no other
living woman could boast. She spent
twenty thousand dollars pin money every
month and does not appear 10 have cared
for. or 10 have thought of, the suffering
poor all about her.
/ have not space wherein TO tell you
even the important events in her life nap
to the time Of what is known ass the bat
tie Of Sedan, when the long gathering
cloud Of her misfOrtunes broke ana sh-
became an Empress In name only. IT,
husband died in 1913. leaving her with
one son. whom she loved very dearly.
who was killed in an encounter with tie
Zulus in far of Africa
From that time to the pres MT she
has lived q retired and lonely life. Ilav-
ing never been more than beautiful
and frivolous woman Of fashion she has
laid up no store IN the hearts of the
needy world about her. and viii go down
20 her grave famous Tor nothing more
lasting or nobler than beauty.-Southern
ChurChman.