The Washington bee., 1899-05-20
PRECIOUS TALIsMANs
Koyal Psrsonagss Who Possess Jewels CO
Which are Attributed Magical Power.

koyal Psrsonagss Who Possess Jewels CO
Which are Attributed Magical Power.
Royal personages are not exempt
from belief in talismans, and at this
day there is doubtless not a crowned
head in Europe who does not possess
jeweled ornament of some sort to
which is attributed magical power
Nicholas / was the possessor Of a
ring having talismanic powers. 1t was
given to him by Princess Charlotte OK
Prussia, daughter Of Frederick William
III.
The princess obtained it from the
Swiss governess, Nine Wildermuth.
One day while looking through the lat
ter's collection they came upon a
curious little ring made in Gothic fash
ion.
This must be very antique piece"
remarked the priEcess-and still ad-
miring it she drew it upon her finger
ut has such a peculiar shape that it
reminds one of some ancient talisman." :"
When she wished 20 return it the ring
could not be drawp off, whereupon the
governess offered 1T to her as a keep
sake.
The princess accepted it. Later she
did succeed in taking off the ring, and
on examining it more closely found
few words engraved within it, which,
though very much worn, when careful
ly deciphered, read-"Russia's Czari-
na." They laughed and joked about
this a great deal, attributing, in jocu-
lar mood, future significance to the
words.
Years passed. A marriage was to be
arranged between Princess Charlotte
and Prince Nicholus, who at that time
had no pretensions to the throne, since
his brother, Alexander the First, the
reigning cZar, haG another successor.
Prince Constantine, second son Of the
royal house.
Nicholas came to Berlin in order to
meet his prospective bride, and hard
ly did his eyes gaze upon her fairy form
before he fell desperately in love with
her. Nor did he hesitate to give voice
to his feelings, and at a court dinner
told her OF his love. and begged her to
give him some little remembrance as
a sign that his love was returned.
Pray give me that tiny ring" he
whispered to the princess. as he point
ed to the above mentioned jewel
But not here, before all the guests?''
asked she.
No one will notice it; bury it into
a piece of bread, drop the latter on the
table and | will undertake to reach
unnoticed, for the talisman."
The prince received the ring-the
same one Charlotte had received from
Nine. Wildermuth years ago.
Most all know of the happy welded
life these two led. also that eight years
later the prophetic words engraved
within the ring came true Nicholas
became Car of Russia and Charlotte
its czarina.
1t is said Nicholas never took the lit
tie ring from his finger, and when in
later years it became far too small for
him he had it attached to a gold chain
and wore it continually around his
neck.
Empress Eugene had talisman, a
breastpin, shaped like a clover leaf,
made of closely set diamonds and
smaragds. The empress had won this
at rattle arranged by Napoleon. This
breastpin,' which she held as the guard
ing spirit of her happiness, Eugene
wore continually. When her husband
died the pin was put away and never
worn during the mourning years.
When her son, the Prince Napoleon,
went to take part in the Zulu war she
again pinned it on herself, and took It
off once more when her son was killed.
Some years later she gave it to the
Princess Mondy, daughter of Murat.
This clover leaf have long consid-
cred a talisman," she said 1T was my
most precious possession. and I would
not like it lost. Wear it, then, my dear,
as friendship bond between us, and
may it ever prove the talisman of thy
uninterrupted happiness