The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-01


mont, married his cousin. Margherita,
daughter of the Duke of Genoa. 1t was
marriage for politics only. and the
Princes infatuation for the Duchess of
Litta was undiminished.
He continued to pay her the same con-
spicuous attention as before, and had her
appointed a maid in waiting to his wife,
so that she might be always about his
residence. This caused the Princess Mar
gherita to revolt. There was danger of
a public scandal at a critical moment in
politics, and Victor Emmanuel inter
vened
He gave her what is termed in court
language "a permission to travel" but
which is in reality an order 20 leave the
country. At the same time he assured
her that she would be warmly welcomed
az the court of his old friend. Napoleon
Ill Emperor of the French. The King
recommended her to the Emperor.
schemed to Get Rome.
The beauty and briiancy of the Duchess
of Litta soon made an impression on the
susceptible Napoleon III. He became her
devoted admirer, and the Empress Eu-
genie, in whom bad temper and jealousy
were the most prominent characteristics,
hated her furiously.
Victor Emmanuel had gained much
through the help of Napoleon III, but he
wanted more. Napoleon had gone 10 war
to drive the Austrians out of Italy for
the benefit of Victor Emmanuel. 1t was
a war which appealed to the sentiments
and desire for glory of the French, and
the empire had TO be kept up by such
enterprises. Victor Emmanuers ambition
was to obtain Rome his capital, but
in this he was frustrated by the action
of the French. On this account Napo-
leon was hated with great bitterness by
the Republicans and advanced politicians
of Italy in spite of what he had done fer
them.
Victor Emmanuel sought persistently to
change Napoleons policy and gain Rome
To this end he accepted the services of
the Duchess of Litta. He was in constant
communication with her, offered her great
rewards and supplied her with modest
sums of ready money.
Duchess With "a Record.
Napoleons relations with the Duchess
of Litta nearly ccst him his life. While
the Emperor was visiting a fair friend
living in a small villa at Auteuil an at
tempt was made to assaSsinate him.
This fair friend was the Duchess of Ltta.
The late General Fleury principal equer-
ry of the Emperor. and Corsician body
servant named Grascillie were with his
majesty on this occas on.
Napoleon and his equerry were so heav-
lily drugged with narcotics at supper that
they fell asleep, and did not recover con-
sciousness for several hours. During
this time Grasci.lie, who was afterward
made a Baron, killed a s alwart ruttian
who broke into the apartment. He car
ried a knife and pistol, and on his body
were found documents showing that he
was an agent of Mazzini and letters pro-
wing him to be the lover of the Duchess
mad
The Duchess herself was drugged, and
this fact, aided no doubt by her beauty,
enabled her to satisfy the Emperor that
rshe was no accompllce TO the affair. He
continued to receive her with marked
favor at court, but Fefrained from further
visits to the villa at Auteuil.
Then came 1870 and the collapse of the
tinsel empire. But il first gave the En-
press Eugene an opportunity to crafty
her hatred of the Duchess of Litta. The
Emperor went to the front and the EN-
press, who was made regent, had her i'm
prisoned in the Chautea of Vincennes, on
a charge of supplying information detri-
mental to France TO the Prussian Ambas-
sador in Paris.
Back Again in Italy.
Sedan saw the downfall of the Duchess
protector, the Emperor, and her rival, the
Empress After two months imprison-
ment she was released by the government
of the national defense, there being no
evidence at ell against her
Rome had just been occupied by Victor
Emanuers troops, and the Duchess, ever
in the thick of events, returned to Italy
at that troubous period. Al once she re-
sumed her sway over Prince Humber,
now the acknowledged heir to a great
kingdom she took up her regular resi-
dence at Milan, and in summer occupied
her summer seat, Vidamo, which is near
the royal summer palace of Monza.
The attachment between Prince
and the Duchess was as public as that of
Diane de Poitiers and the Dauphin of
France.
OF late years the relations between the
King and the Duchess were apparently
platonic. and the Queen suppressed all
outward resentment. The Duchess is one
of the most experienced and astute per-
sons at the Roman court, and her advice
in political matters was given freely to
the King.
She injured him, however, by mourning
the resentment of the powerful politician.
Francesca Crispi. a year ago his news
paper. the Tribuna, denounced her as
playing the role at the Italian court of
Nine de Maintenon at the court of Louis
XIV.
Humbert's Beautiful Queen.
OF the beauty of Queen Margherita all
the world has heard, but she has been
and still Is beautiful, thanks to the deli
cacy of her complexion, the grace of her
outlines, the sweetness of her expression.
Early in life she, too, was very delicate,
and so thin as to be almost transparent;
but in the course of years she has grown
stouter and now may be said 20 be too
stout for beauty. She knows both Ger
man and Italian literature well, is fond
of music, and sings herself with taste
and feeling. She is fond of the society
of men of thought and letters, and al
her intimate evening teas may be met
some of the leading men of the land. who
drop in to chat away an hour without
ceremony.
Among those whom the Queen loved TO
receive was the late Minister Minghetti, a
simple gentlemanly burgher, who was
well versed in questions of art and let
tiers. Another of her wel-liked habitues
is Bonghi, the statesman and man of let
ters; also Prof. Viiari, senator and his
torian She has even known how to gain
over to her Italy's greatest living poet
Giosue Carducci, who began life as a vio-
lent Republican and hater of royalty
Indeed a sentimental cultus for the
Queen. their first Queen. is widespread
among the Italians, and her name, Mar
gherita Daisy, IS symbolized in many
ways. and the dasy emblem occurs in
every form of festive decoration. Her
own favorite emblem is the pearl of