New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10

cannot fail to evoke many memories. Some
doubtless will recall the manner in which thew
quilted the French capital on the September day
IN 1870 that witnessed the downfall Of the en-
pire and the proclamation of the republic While
Eugene, abandoned by all save one Of her
ladies, fled before the bowling mob that had in
Vaded the Tuileres and owed her safety to
the timely arrival of the Austrian and italian
ambassadors who managed without attracting
any attention to convey the two frightened
women to the house of the late DIR. Thomas
Evans, whence they ultimately escaped to the
seacoast and to England, Princess CIothilde, on
learning that the empire had come to an end
ordered her state carriage and accompanied by
her children, drove in the open equipage all the
way from the P;tIais Royal to the terminus of
the Lyons Railroad through the most revolu-
uonary and turbulent quarters of the city. with
out any attempt at cOncealment. greeted every
where with tokens OF profound respect and
gard by the public From that day until she
returned few weeks ago to nurse her dying
sister-in-law, Princess Clothlde never set foot
IN Paris. having made her home for the last
thrty-four years at the castle of Moncaleri
near Turin, the greater portion of which she has
converted into a hospital. where she leads the
life of a Sister of Mercy. wearing, indeed the
habiliMeHts of a nun.
There are many who will be disposed to
ascribe this contrast between the proud and
brave bearing of Clothilde September 4. 1870
and the terrorstricken flight of Eugene to the
fact that the former the daughter of a
royal house famed throughout hundreds of years
for its fearlessness. But Clothide enjoyed the
regard of the French irrespective of their po-
litical prejudices. whereas the Empress knew
perfectly well that in 1870 at any rate she was
execrated. Moreover. 1t is by no means certain
that Eugene is without royal blood in her veins.
and there are many who to this day believe that
she IS in reality a daughter of the late Queen
Christina of Spain, and a half-sister, therefore
Of Queen Isabella
There is much in favor of this story for, al
though the Almanach de Gotha gives the birth
OF Eugene May. 1926, and that OF her elder
sister, the late Duchess OF Alba, as January,
1925. yet according to official Spanish records
the Comte de Montijo. who is given as their
father. died on October so 1893. The pages Of
the register of the parish Of Arevalo. which
contained the statement of his DEATH have been
mutilated and removed. yet the official records
OF the courts OF law at Madrid contain frequent
mention Of the date of his death in connection
with several lawsuits brought by his brothers
after his demise against his widow, the old
Comtesse de Montijo. Now. the latter. a daugh-
ter Of William Fitzpatrick. sometime resident OF
Philadelphia and long United States Consul at
Malaga was the favorite lady-in- waiting and
conAdante OF Queen Christina. having been, IN
fact. one Of the suite selected to attend her from
Naples to Spain Christina well known to
have given birth to a couple Of little girls prior
to her marriage to King Ferdinand. They were
the offspring OF an English artist with whom