New-York tribune., 1901-10-20

Austrian were born TO high place; to the
Spaniard and to the West Indian it came as he
gift OF fortune; and il must be said that the
so-called parvenus played their imperial part
as well, on the whole. as the Hapsturg and the
Nittelsbach princesses
Only one OF the four wins from the reader an
unqualified sympathy The Rose OF Bavaria"
went as q beautiful. impulsive and innocent
child OF little more than sixteen to a wifehood
which was TO be one long cross and disap-
pointment; 10 a court which was TO offer her
unjust dislike, malice and abuse. Eliza beth's
sorrows We're largely the outcome Of her selfish
nother-in-law's greed of power and her hus-
bands weakness. She was too young to know
how 10 meet the archduchess's tyranny and
scheming how TO deal with the Empero-'s
tickle nature; and her own impulsveness SEN
siuveness and pride We're against her. Added
10 these the disabling strain of morbidaess
inherent in a race fated TO insanity So far as
her husband and his mother permitted her TO be,
she was a devoted wife: and after the tragedy
OF her sons suicide the delicate invalid was the
Emperor's one strong support and comfort
y here she was able 10 govern her children's
upbringing she showed herself wise and in
spring force. IN the matter OF brains, she was
the most distinguished Of these four Empresses.
Ignorant in youth she trained herself into 2
high intelligence. and spent the larger part OF
her time in reading. An eminent scholar has
said Of her: "One needs a thorough knowledge
OF history art and science TO be able 10 con-
verse with her; her learning is astonishing"
This is, perhaps partial estimate. the SOW
ereign being considered rather than the woman;
but il is certain that she loved literature of the
best kind. While the German Emperor's opin-
ions as 10 intellect in women may not be alto
gether trustworthy, il is worth remembering
that he pronounced her the most intellectual
woman he had ever net. AS for Elizabeth the
woman. one Of her most intimate friends has
written Of her:
She was one Of those exceptional characters
who are independent OF the world because they
bear within themselves life better and richcr
than ours. Every thought and instinct was on
a higher level; she inrately queen And
human. and fun OF touching consideration
toward all in attendance upon her We
went 70 her with our deepest thoughts as well
fdent Of her ever ready sympathy. her tender
counsel or prompt assistance in case Of need
Miss Tschudrs book is, like her former vol
umes, full Of picturesque anecdote and more
or less sentimentality. Il is history exactly.
but II holds something Of the material Of his
tory. and is agreeable reading enough
Miss Guerbers book is Of much the same sort.
It's method is good, its style is poor but it has
color and movement, and and then
trace OF humor OF the three women with
whom she deals, Josephine, with all her faults,
IS the most attractive figure. She was one Of
the kindest and most generous OF human be-
ings-not kind from mere impulse only but kind
with careful thought and unselish intention.
Her creole incidence and love Of luxury led her
into many follies, but she made as Expresses
90 an exceedingly credtabe one That her
memory is even beloved in France says
much for the essential sweetness Of her nature.
the benevolence, tact and good taste with which
she played her role There genuine woman
illness too in her submissive REIMBURSEMENT Of
Eifehood and rank. and in her subsequent dig
nified retirement. She had charm which never
failed Those who have known Josephine
said the Car Alexander, can never forget her
She like Elizabeth Of Austria, was married at
sixteen an untutored child still playing with
doll: and the young VicOmte de Beauharnais
was not a kind or faithful husband. His death
under the guillotine and her own painful expert
ences in the Revolution inspired the West Indian
with a craving more or less reckless for the re
lief Of gayety Her conduct before and lmme-
ciatelv after her marriage 10 the little Cen
eraI' her critics have agreed 10 censure; but
few beside the Bonaparte family have found
cause 10 abuse the Empress Of France. That
family II may be conceded was one OF the
reanest and greediest on record, and it IS strong
testimony 10 Josephine's innate gentleness ana
generosity that she bore patiently ana without