New-York tribune., 1896-03-29
TOPICS IN PARIS.
PRINCES ARE THICK AS BLACKRERRIEs-
THE WHITE THEATRE"-THE WASH
ERWOMTN'S FESTIVAL
Paris March 20

Paris. March 20.
As usual at this time OF the year, France, in
spite OF her being endowed with a republican
rm Of government, and with Cabinet that pro-
fesses doctrines verging on full-fiedged Social
ism. has become the rendezvous of representa-
tives Of nearly all the European royal houses.
Down OF the shores Of the Mediterrarea there
are n, less than three Empresses-Eugenie,
Elizabeth 0. Austria and Victoria Of Great
Hritan-while a fourth is expected ir. the per-
son of the widowed Czarina. The Emperor or
Austria has been exchanging civil!ties with
President Faure al Nica. conferring upon MIN
the order Of ST. Stephen. while Russian Grand
dukes Austrian Archdukcs, Swedish Enghsh'
German and Spanish Princes and Princesses II
the blood ere as thick as backberries IN the
Riviera The latter is even threatened with a
most unwelcolne visit from the German EN-
pcror whose yacht, the Hohenzolloin n. is await
ing him at Genoa. whence he proposes TO cruise
along the south coast Of France, call upon
the Czarevitch and a visit to the Napoleon Mu-
scum on the Island of Elba being among the
features of his programme
At Marseilles there is the husband Of the
Queen OF Madagascar. who differs however
fr,m the other visitors of high degree in that
Instead of coming to this country Of his own
accord. he comes sorcly against his will and as a
prisoner Of state. He is a little, shrivelled-up'
dark skinned, gray-h haired man Of seventy, but
a bit Of a dandy still On landing from the
Messageres steamer Iraouad1y he wore tToos-
crs OF white silk. brocaded with s'ripeu
pattern, an elegant woollen jacket OF hght pat
term q heavy wrapper adorned with req anu
white checks. and a great fur CLOAK. Fateh'-
leather boots and round felt hat completed
this picturesque costume. He Is reported to have
looked decrepit and H. and is now occupying
apartments at the military hospital until MS
departure for Algeria, where he Is to spend the
remainder Of his days In captivity 1t is TINS
old gentleman. who bears the name Of Raini-
lairfvony, who Is primarily responsible for the
rccen, war that resulted in the conquest Of his
country by France. AS the all-powerful Prime
Minister Of Madagascar. he has ruled that
island with a rod Of iron for nearly forty years.
having during that time been the husband OF
70 less than four successive Queens Of NADIA
gascar According to all accounts, the present
Queen far from regretting his departure. IS
heartily relieved by the separation from her
aged consort who Is her senior by about two
score :ears.
Here in Paris during the week the Prince Of
Wales has spent several days on his way south,
displaying a marked interest In the horseless
carriages and calling at the Elysee Paris upon
the President and Nine. Faure; the Grnnd-duke
Alexis who likewise visited the Chief Magistrate,
and the Archduke and Archduchess Frederick
of Austria The Archduke. who is elder
brother Of the Queen Regent OF Spain, enjoys the
distinction of being not only the wealthiest men,
ber of the House Of Hapsburg. but also the one
blessed with the largest family. C'riously
enough, he has nothing but girls; there are nine
OF Them and according to a gypsy prophecy
there must be three daughters more before the
Archduchess can hope to present to her husband
. con and heir
AN AUSTRIAN ARCHDUCHESS.
This Princess. a singularly beautiful woman.
10 like the Crown Princess Stephanie a Belgian.
She differs from the latter. however. in that she
is not by birth OF royal rank and 1t was owing
to this that the Emperor for a long time hesi-
tated to consent to a marriage. which entailed
the concession Of the rank and status Of an Aus
trian Archduchess and Of an Imperial Highness
TO the daughter OF q mere Belgian nobleman.
such a. the Prince Of Croy-Dulmen. The Croy
family. however, which Is related to the Chimays,
the Microbes. the Ahrenbergs and many other
houses Of the Belgian and French aristocracy.
would not permit the match to take place unless
Princess Isabella obtained full recognition a. an
Archduchess. and 90 at length the Emperor gave
his permission.
Archduke Frederick IL one of the most capable
generals Of the Austrian army and warm friend
Of Emperor william. but cordially disliked In
viennese society. This II due to his intense
arragance and PRIDE wherein he differs entirely