New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-13

that crash did cone Eugene discovered too late
that the condolences which she nad peen IN tne
habit OF imparting to Prince Metternlcn ana 70
Count Nigra. in the firm conviction that they
were the blindly devoted slaves or her beauty
had been used 10y them all along as an arm
against France, and that throughout tHe lese
twelve months Of the reign Of her husband their
entire energies had been applied 10 prevent tneir
respective sovereigns from rendering any ds-
sistance 10 the French when the war with Ger
many long foreseen. finally broke out. IL IS
only fair to add. however. that on the memoir
able September day when the Empire was over
thrown. after news had been received IN farls
of the battle of Sedan. and the poor Eugene
was deserted i'm the Tuileries by every one or her
ladies. gentlemen and domestics. all II whom
had fed I'm fear Of the mob that was invading
the palace. Prince Metternioh and Count Nigra
both appeared upon the scene offered their arms
10 the fallen Majesty. and at the FISK OF their
lives escorted her out Of the building and 10 the
residence Of her American dentist, DR.. Thomas
Exams. whence she subsequently escaped to
England.
II is doubtful whether either Of these two
diplomats ever had the slightest grain Of affec-
tion or admiration for Empress Eugene.
Indeed many Of their remarks, verbal as well
in writing, convey the impression that they
consi ierad her indscr-et. ridiculous. ignorant,
lacking in good form. Bohemian. vulgar. and
not for one moment to be compared with their
own princesses Of the blood. But throughout
the ten years that they represented their re-
spective sOvereigns al Paris they never once
betrayed the true naturt # their sentiments.
showing I'm fact. more than ordinary infatuation
for Her Majesty just at the Very moments when
they were most vehemently intriguing against
France.
Sometimes. but not very often. it is the diplo-
mat and not the Queen. who succumbs in the
game as for instance. handsome Count "RudH
Khevenhuller. who. while Austrian Minister az
Belgrade. considered II 10 be his diplomatic
duty toward his country to affect an infatuatiOn
for Queen Natalie. Now Natalie iS--Or rather
was in those days-a woman Of striking beauty,
the two defects in her charms being the horse
like coarseness of her black hair and the harsh
and loud tone Of her voice and laugh Count
"Rudi." who had started out with the intention
of merely flirting. soon was head over ears in
love with the SerYian Queen. who turned his
infatuation To excellent account when, at the
time Of the victorious march f Prince Alexan-
der OF Bulgaria upon Belgrade. she induced the
Envoy 70 visit the Bulgarian headquarters and
t. threaten Alexander with Austrian reprisals
unless he Immediately STAYED his progress and
retired 70 his dominlons. Prince Alexander. al
ready at daggers drawn with Russia felt that
Bulgaria could not at that moment afford 10
offend Austria, and accordingly withdrew as
demanded. II was only too late that ne dis
covered that Count "Rudi' had acted without
instructions. and that the ultimatum which he
had received was entirely contrary TO the views
Of the Niennese Government. which would have
gladly seen the Bulgarian flag planted above
the royal palace at Belgrade. The Count was
Immediately recalled and placed upon the re-
tired list. where he remained for many years
until finally pardoned and appointed TO Brus-
se's. where he now IS
There are in modern history several other
instances Of Queens being fooled by apparently
the reign Of Queen Elizabeth and Of other Eng
lsh and Continental sovereisns in olden times
contain many reference to he diplomatic VIC
tories which have been achieved through en-
voys paying a not altogether sincere court 10
princesses OF the blood. The latter are. after
all but women, built of much the same clay
and possessed Of much the same foibles as the
remainder OF their EEK The homage 70 when.
by reason OF their illustrious rank, they arg
entitled Is OF chiilingly formal ana or SO
altogether subservient character 'hat Wy
are more susceptible than most ladies' 10 INC
wiles Of any man who is clever enough 10 give
them the impression That ia ms eyes I'LL
charr, ne woman rises superior 10 the sense
VI '"e" EX-ATTACHE.