The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-19
THE TIMES: RICHMOND VA SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10. 1890

cd an influence over him that might have
prevented his mental collapse II he had
been permitted 20 keep his promise TO
her and make her his wifc. The require
mcnts OF kingcran were too strong,
however, and she was cast aside. Her
name was never again mentioned by OF
60 and 10 was imagined that he had for
gotten her until after his death when
30 was found that through all the va
carries Of his bcfLddled brain. the play
ing az stork. the washing Of his dogs
100 mixture OF beer and champagne and
the festOoning of his buttOnholes with
ardires ne mad carefully treasured and
carried i'm his pocket little box con-
taining n few faded flowers and with
cred berries that she had given him.
His love for this woman had cost him
his reason and his throne.
The love stories OF the Battonbcrg
family add another interesting chapter
to the royal romances of Europe. In
1910 Prince Alexander WAS the hero OF
the day in ST. Petersburg where no had
gone 10 visit his sister who was mar
ried 10 tho heir apparent TO the throne
Of Russia Everywhere he was court
ed and admired and the Emperor Mich
olas planned a marriage for him with
the proud daughter Of a dynasty close
ly related 10 his own. Love would
have its way however. and the proud
beauty who had been selected by the
Emperor was Tilted I'm order that he
might marry one OF the ladies In wait
ing TO his sister Countess Hauckc, who
was tho granddaughter OF a hotel
waiter.
From father TO son this ability TO feel
affection for "a woman OF humble birth
descended, for the story Of the romantic
marriage Of the last Prince Alexander
Of Battonberg to the lovely opera sing
or. Marie Leisinger is Of too recent
occurrence to have been forgotten.
Prince Alexander was engaged 90 De
married 20 the Princess Victoria, sister
Of the present German Emperor. IL was
thought that tho couple We're extremely
fond Of each other but even the pros
pcct Of becoming brother-in-law 20 the
cratic William could not hold the af
fections of the Battcnbcrg prince, who
deserted and snutbed Princess Victoria
IN order that he might marry q descend
ant of the Tyrolese peasantry, tho
daughter o. a Prcsburg boarding house
keeper who had attracted his attention
by the marvellous melodies that were
carrying Paris and Berlin by storm
Princess Mary the cousin OF Queen
Victoria. who is sincerely mourncd I'm
England as the late Duchess of Teck.
was once tilted by the Prince Of Orange.
At the time Of the engagement the
prince was most desirable Us a husband
but as the time for the marriage APP
preached me became involved In series
Of scandals in Paris that placed him i'm
most uneav0rv light Not having the
courage to face the exacdug queen and
his virtuous hances he briefly announced
that his engagement with the Princess
was at an end. She subsequently mar
ricd the Duke of Teck and became
favorite figure in the royal circles OF
England.
The fitting Of princesses has been one
Of the favorite occupations OF the French
pretender. the Duo d'Orleans. 10 would
not be easy 20 say just how many Of the
royal damsels of Europe have felt tho
sting Of the dukes Inconsistency. but the
most shameless experience I'm his career
was his brutal fitting OF his cousin,
Princess Marguerite Of Orleans for the
sake Of two deml-mondaines. Emiiienne
dAlencon and Lame de Pougy. Princess
Marguerite afterwards married the Duke
Of Magenta. the son of General MacMa-
hon. The French pretender became the
husband of the Archduohess Marie Do
rOthea Amelia OF Austria. but the high
spirited little princess of the mousse Of
Hapshurg has objected SO seriously 20
the brutality and coarsoncss OF her bus.
band that the infeliciucs OF their life
have long been public property.
The iilthg OF Princess Elsa ~ Wur-
temberg by Prince Alfred of Saxo-Co-
burg Gotha. the grandson OF Queen Vie
toria. who died February 9th. was
most unpleasant experience FOR the
young princess but since the princes
disgraceful correction with the eamb-
ling scandal I'm aerlin and his more re-
cent Incarceration in the insane asylum
at Martinsbrun. his mind wrecked by HIS
rapid pace through an kinds Of excesses.
she has probably come 10 the conclusion
that fate was more kind 90 her than
she had no first imagined