Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-06
The English Royal Family and the Ex-
Empress Eugene.

Queen Victoria was a very loyal per-
son 70 her friendships, and Queen Alexan-
dra seems to be following in her footsteps.
II so happened that Eugene. while Louis
Napoleon was emperor of France, be-
came acquainted socially with the Eng
lish queen. and a friendship was formed
that lasted until Victoria's demise. And,
although Eugene was married I'm 1851, 81
years ago, and Is therefore an old women.
she is still intimate in the royal family
Of England. A late number of Harper's
Weekly has a full-page illustration show
ing a scene on the royal British yacht,
with Eugene I'm the front row. beside
Queen Alexandra as an honored guest.
and the most prominent. perhaps.
The ex-empress has had an eventful life,
has touched the depths as well as the
heights OF human experience. She was
born in 1896. and is therefore 76 years old.
a childless widow, living in. retirement in
England. after she had been flattered. ca
joled, admired and petted as but very few
women have ever experienced.
But France, the scene of her greatest
trfumphs. knows but little of her, and
cares less. since she fed after Louis Ma
poleon's disastrous defeats by Bismarck's
German army, and made her home in
England.
Her only son enlisted I'm the English ar
my and lost bis life in South Africa dur
ENRA
was Frustrated with grief for many
months
Eugene de Montijo was the model Of
fashion to all the world OF reckless extrav-
agance. while she resided in the Tuilleries.
but she has only simple dignity and a
plain mourning robe during these latter
days Of retirement and widowhood.
It speaks well for her strength of char
acter that her brave spirit has maintained
it's composure under so many reverses of
fortune. and there must be sterling worth
that her company is so eagerly sought for
where the gaping world of wealth and
prominence are often denied admission.
She was at one time the presiding ge-
MUS Of the French nation. She was it's au-
thorized regent when Louis Napoleon was
away from the French capital. Her posi-
ton was of the Hottest.
/ remember reading with engrossing in
terest the part she played in the opening
of the famous Suez canal. She was the
observed Of all observers, and De Lesseps
was her most obedient courtier and cava-
lier on that remarkable occasion. The in
terest of the occasion centered about her
person and whatever she did or said was
eagerly reported.
Perhaps she was at that time at the ze-
NTH of her glory, for she afterwards pass
ed but few years in the royal palace. and
she was almost compelled by her friends
i 10 ieaNe france ana seek SAFETY from
French mobs by living in England
We may be reasonably sure she would
have suffered violence IL she had remained
in the royal palace Of France. The fate of
Maria Antoinette must have accentuated
her own danger when Louis Napoleon lost
everything but his life and was obliged
to surrender all authority I'm France
Eugenie's remarkable beauty was her
winning card. She was not of royal birth
when Louis Napoleon was attracted by
her beauty. She had a managing mamma.
| who played her cards well. and during
Eugenie's reign she was easily the most
distinguished woman on either continent.
She was a devoted Catholic and always a
friend TO the pope. doubtless her religion
was a great mainstay IN her later vicis-
STUDIES.
She seems to be enjoying the quiet Of
her later life. and does not NEEDLE with
French politics. a most sensible action on
her part.
Her span OF life has already been ex-
panded beyond the limit usually allotted
to royal women. Within four years OF so.
she is represented as still very graceful
and attractive.