The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-27
The BOSTON WIFE OF A KING
ELISE HENSLER;S MARRIAGE TO
DON FETNdDO or PORTUGAL.

Palace of the Bruganzus-Hcr Only
Sister Now Living In II suburb of
Boston.
In 1862 there We're living at 80 Carver
street, Boston, not far from Boylston
street, the parents of girl whose name
appeared in recent years in that exclu-
sive royal red book of Europe, the AL
manach de Gotha. Mr.. and Mrs. Hen
sler enjoyed the very best Of connec-
lions in Europe, which country they de-
termined to leave for America in order
to escape enforced enlistment in the
army by Mr.. Hensler. Their Boston
home. though modest, compared favor
ably with those of people of moderate
means, at the time when there was no
aesthetic craze and when Carver street
was the abode of refined and educated
people. Here was reared, surrounded
by family furniture and hangings
brought from the old home in Europe,
and in a decidedly musical circle Of
friends, the daughter, Elise, who, in
1853, became the wife of prince who
had sat upon the throne of the naughty
Braganzas, and who was connected
with the royal families of Europe. To-
day the countess of Edla is well known
and universally respected throughout
Portugal and it's possessions.
Elise Hensler attended the Winthrop
school on fremont street, but later the
private school Of Mr.. Emerson on Penn
berton Square. She is described as a
handsome brunette, with superb voice
and most engaging manners. While
attending Mr.. Emersons school Miss
Hensler Joined the choir at Kings
Chapel and took lessons in singing of
Signor Corelli, the famous and fashion,
able teacher Of singing in the early fif
ties. After singing in concerts given
by Corelli's pupils and at entertain
ments in Chickering hail. Miss Hen
sler's voice became more and more
known and admired. In 1858 Mr.. Hensler
was urged by his daughters musical
friends to take Elise to Europe that she
might enjoy the musical advantages of
Paris and Milan.
This he did, and after two years alb
sence from America, during which time
every opportunity was given Elise for
Zig SIutly VI lIluSlC UOIu Ill IdllCS anu
Italy and having made a successful
debut at the theatre of La Scala, which
has always been the turning point in a
singers career, she arrived in New York
where, with many of her Boston friends
in the audience Miss Hensler made her
America debut at the Academy of
Music, singing with Nine. La Grange.
After season, gratifying to herself
as well as to her anxious friends, she
returned to her home, and made her
Boston debut at the Boston theatre. All
Fashionable Boston turned out on that
night in January, 1855. Her part was
that of Linda in the opera of Linda di
Chamounix." A newspaper of the day
states that "she was cordially received
and much applauded during the per-
formance;" her voice sis of sweet quail
ity, fresh and pure, such as one seldom
hears in the opera house" After
three weeks engagement the company
appeared at Philadelphia, where Miss
Hensler again met with marked sue
cess
Soon afterward Miss Hensler sailed
for Europe to continue her studies and
to fill operate engagements that in
cluded the principal capitals of the con-
tinent. On her arrival at Lisbon she
sang at the magnificent opera house Of
San Carlos, built in 1898. The opera
season always opened on the night of
the goth of October, the date of Don
Fernando's BIRTH which was one of the
most brilliant Of the whole season, as
the royal family was always present
From his opera box Don Fernando first
saw the fair American, who was before
long to become his wife, and whose re-
fined and congenial tastes were so we'll
adapted to his own. Don Fernando in |
1886 married Maria II. de Gloria, Queen !
of Portugal, sister of Dom Pedro II. of |
Brazil, who died in 1858. He had re-
ceived the title of King in 1887 and was
regent during the minority of his son,
Pedro, from November Is, 1858, until Z
September 16, 1856 Don Fernando held
in Portugal a position similar to that
held by his first cousin, Prince Albert,
the husband of Queen Victoria. The .
King himself was fine musician and
critic, possessing a remarkable bari
tone voice. He read music almost as
easily as people read print.
1t was at a musical soiree given at
the Lisbon palace of the Infanta Isabel
la of Portugal, an aunt Of Don Fernan-
DO, that the King and Miss Hensler first
met. Before the King married her, Don
brother the Duke Of Sake
Coburg, conferred upon Miss Hensler
The title of Countess Edla.
King Don Fernando was the nephew
Of the King of the Belgians and first
cousin to Prince Albert, the husband of
Queen Victoria. His parents were the
Duke of Sax-Coburg-G otha and Prin-
cess Antoinette de Kohary, who were
married in 1876. Three sons and one
daughter were born to them: l. Don
King of Portugal, the hus-
band of Miss Hensler Q; Augustus, who
became Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and mar
ried the daughter of Louis Philippe of
France; 3, Leopold, who served in the
Austrian army; 4, Victoria, the Ouch
sss de Nemours, a famous beauty of
The second empire, who died in 1857
The house of Kohary was a powerful
and wealthy Catholic family of Hun
gary To his mother, the Princess An
;oinette de Kohary, Don Fernando was
indebted for the private fortune which
le took with him to his adopted coun- ,
ry of Portugal. Don Fernando's title
n the, Almanach de Gotha is King Fer
linand Auguste- Francois Antoine s
King of Portugal, Duke of Saxony, {
FIELD Marshal General; born October {
9. 1885, married Maria ii. de Gloria,