The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1901-01-29
KING WHO DIED IN POVERTY.
cornican Monarch Whose Tombstone
sun stands In "A London
ChHrchyard.


The tombstone OF king who died
IN poverty still stands in the Gods
acre which surrounds the parish
church OF 81. Anne, Soho, London.
King Theodore OF Corsica was born
at Metz in 1896. Invited by the gem
eral assembly of the Corsicans to be-
come their king, he was duly crowned
in 1876, but few years sufiiced to
exhaust his personal wealth. After
appointing a regency of 30 mobiles to
manage the state in his absence, he
commenced pilgrimage OF solicita-
tion to obtain foreign aid and money
to support his rank and style as king
of Corsica, says London paper.
He was more or less Hospitality re-
ceived in several courts, but the prime
object Of his mission was not achieved.
Arriving in England at last, he was
referred to the admiral of the Med
iterranean feet, who would aid him
by order of the home government.
But when King Theodore learned that
his landing would be opposed he re-
turned to England.
Having borrowed on the continent
where and when opportunity present.
ed itself, he laid himself open to the
wiles of the Genoese mobiles, who were
ever scheming and plotting against
him. He was arrested for debt of
5000 forms in Amsterdam and thrown
into prison, but subsequently released
by a subscription being raised by
Jews and foreigners TO liquidate his
debt. A Spanish jew advanced him
$4,000 forms. and in 1888 he unsuccess-
fully attempted landing in Corsica.
Back again to England, where he
received considerable sympathy and
support, he was again seized for debt
and cast into the kings bench prison.
In prison he affected as regal a state
of demeanor as his surroundings al
lowed and received his various visit
ors with an amount of pomp and GER
emony rather ludicrous and pathetic.
Here he remained until he was re-
leased on his surrendering his king
dom for the benefit of his creditors.
On his release he took a chair to the
house of the Portuguese minister, he
being away from home, and King
Theodore, not having the wherewithal
to pay for his conveyance, requested
the chairman to carry him to the
house of tailor in Soho, which was
done. The man of scissors and cloth
paid the fare and gave the pauper
king shelter. Theodore was taken i'll
the next day and died three days later
without a sixpence in his pocket.
Horace Walpole, who had done him
many acts of kindness during his life,
raised a subscription to bury him and
composed his epitaph. Smollett de-
scribes his person and character in
Ferdinand Count Fathom."
The original mural tablet has been
made more imposing by, the addition
of many-membered molding.
The inscription reads: Near this
place is inferred Theodore, king of
Corsica, who died in this parish on De-
cember II, 1856, Immediately after
leaving the kings bench prison, by
the benefit of the act Of insolvency;
in consequence of which he registered
his kingdom of Corsica for the use of
his creditors.
"The grave, great teacher, to level
brings
Heroes and beggars. galley slaves and
kings,
But Theodore this moral learned e'er
dead.
Fate pour its lessons on his living head
Bestowed a kingdom and denied him
breath"
Under this monument is one to Will
liam Hazlett. who also finds a resting
place in the churchyard.