New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-05
THE DUCHESsE DUZEs.
A REMARKABLE WOMAN WHOSE LEADERSHIP IN
PARIS is UNoUEsTToNED.

A REMARKABLE WOMAN WHOSE LEADERSHIP IN
PARIS is UNoUEsTIoNED.
OF all the women who have played role in France
since the fall OF the Empire there Is not one VINO
has occupied popular attention such degree as
the Dowager Duchesse Dues Plainly and even
dowdily dressed. except when in riding habit-the
only class Of raiment to which she condescends 10
devote the slightest attentionwith no pretensions
to either elegance good looks. she has, neverthe-
less been the most distinguished blocking person AT
every gathering. her striking individuality as well
her strength Of character mpressing themselves
forcibly all those with whom she has been
brought into contact She may be said 10 have been
the lie and soul of the French metropolis during the
least five-and-twenty years much in the same man.
ner as Princess Pauline Metternich was, until a
year ago the uncrowned Queen OF Vienna. She has
been the leader of every popular movement. no
matter whether 1t for the entertainment or the
material welfare Of her fellowcitzens. and nothing
has seemed complete possess the proper
amount Of go without her. She has gone by the
name Of LA Duchesse" just II she had been the
only of that rank on the banks OF the Seine.
and has enjoyed the respect and the goodwill OF
people of every grade Of society and Of every shade
OF politics.
AS clever with the chisel with the brush. her
sculptures and her paintings have figured con-
spcuously at every Salon. her novels have adorned
the shop windows OF all the booksellers while her
horses and her hounds have carried off prizes each
year at the Concours Hippique and at the annual
dog show. During the boyhood Of her two sons
the eldest Of whom jacques. LOST his life during
voyage OF exploration in Central Africa-she
acted master of the hounds to the celebrated
Bonnelles hunt winning for herself the we'll
merited reputation of being the most accomplished
and daring eQuestrienne in France.
During the Boulanger episode she actively sup
ported his movement with money TO the tune OF
100000 francs. which she advanced to him at the
personal request of the late Comte de Paris who
fondly imagined that at a given moment the Gen
era would play the role Of Monk and bring about
monarchcal restoration in his behalf. The
money which she thus sacrificed constituted part
OF the immense fortune which she mas derived
from the great champagne firm of Neuve Clicquot
ct Gle Of which she Is the principal owner, being
the granddaughter and heiress of the famous
widow who founded the house.
The Duchess who, until the marriage of her sur
viving son. ranked the premier peerless OF
France was one of the first employers or labor 10
establish the system of sharing profits with her
employees and she has been on more than one oc-
CASTOR claimed by the Socialists as one OF them
selves In conclusion IL may be stated that she Is
noted for her undsgused hatred or can't, humbug
and vulgarity, well for the unobtrusiveness
with which she has for years devoted n couple OF
days each week TO drudgng as nurse in the great
cancer hospital In Paris.