The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-23

f.
THE PRINCESS MERCEDES IN
EVENING DRESS.
period OF deep mourning. they would not
be ayerse 90 the selection OF princess
for his throne. Now that an has been
said ard done. It must be- confessed that
the lives of the Empress and her people
were made unhappy by the thought that
no heir would sit upon the throne.
with Rudolph gone and the Sale Law
which prevents a womans rule. in fuil
operation in Vienna, there would be no
ore OBJ succeed unless the state should
elect a successor. For some years past
the Vienna council has been debating
about an heir 90 the throne and various
princes or Bavaria and Austria have
been brought forward. but none were
wholly promising. SO the actual naming
and training Of the future sovereign of
Austria-Iluugarv has been deferred.
a similar situation ruled In Roumania
O few years ago. for the King and
queen bad 20 heir; but Ferdinand,
cousin Of King Frederick, was elected
and ROW stands ready for tlo throne.
In Austria uo such happy parsonage
has been found and one % the gTiofs of
the old Emperor Is that De cannot pat
his hei on the head and give MIN wise
rlIr-.Is uf state. Again and again he
has imr'0ral hls ministers to make "a
selection. bHt they have pointed out the
fau.fs of tire male descendants OF the
line; aud have showed Franz Joseph
how unpopular e9ch was in the eyes Of
the people.
with a now marriage en- might be
changed Franz Joseph. with a new
wife. might have an heir FOR the throne,
and the Austrian people might yet see
the beloved iiae perpg.lated iOr another
generation al least
EuroDes politicians have pointed out
the precedent established by King Will
liam ILL., of the Netherlands, who IN
bis cid age, when fAe line OF the Kings
of Orange seemed extinct married Queen
Emma or Wa'deck Little Wihelmna
was born soon after; and though her
father did not long survive her birth.
hs left a wle Regent 90 rule during
The minority Of the little Queen. To-day
the people OF the Netherlands are proud
that they have O Princess oil Orange
Nassau 90 rule them.
Austria has been singuarly unhappy
IN its family matters. Allied closely 20
Bavaria. it has had tho great sorrow OF
royal insanity. suicide and mysterious
death
Through no fault OF its rulers e. has
been connected with more royal TRACE
dies than ony other resning house Of
Europe To change all this and bring %
the house Of Austria good fortune Is tho
wish OF those who are nearest Franz
Joseph ana bis people.
An alliance with an English Princess
would De dear 90 the heart OF England.
Austria IS further from England IN fam
ny connections than any other n the
royal houses. Russia rs closely ellied 20
England for Che Czafina IS a daughter
OF Queen Victoria; Germany Is still more
closely connected for the Emperor s.
the queens grandson, Denmark IS al
most "a sister country. for the old queen
OF Denmark and Queen Victoria were
connected by marriage years ago. the
crown Princess OF Greece is The Queens
granddaughter. Boumani3 has grand
daughter Of Queen Victoria coming 20
The throne iu Marie. wife OF Grown
Prince Ferdinand. and so one might 80
through the m0narclies of Europe; but
Austria has no such close tie
There are few English princesses who
are exactly available. Victoria. the
daughter ~ the Princess Of wales. is ru-
morod engaged 20 subject Were sho
single such a match would be as good
from q political standpoint as ever made
by p granddaughter Of the Queen. and
certainly the best as yet contracted by
the daughters OF the Prince ~ Wales
But Franz Joseph is specially partial
TO Che Queen Regent of Spain Although
only a cousin thoy have been very close
20 one on0ther and during the late war
they wore IN daily correspondence with
each other Tho Empress once laugh
lne'y declared herself jealous Of the
Queen Of Spain blt Christina kept on
seeking the counsel OF Franz Joseph:
ana. when in trouble she reposed in him
a very deep confidence.
At the time when the Carilsts were
most menaciHg she sent her jewels 10
Franz Joseph for safe keeping and there
was a dav when she and her son were
ready 20 ~ 70 him Tor vrotection. with