New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-15

notably on one memorable evening when the En-
peror was visiting the beautiful Countess de Cas-
tglione. and attempt made 70 stab him
by Mazzinst conspirator. who had managed 70
secure employment by the countess as one OF her
footmen.
General Fleury was. however. an object Of par
tcular aversion on the part OF Empress Eugene,
who aware Of the role OF conhdant which he
played IN al! the affairs coeur Of her suscepd-
bic husband. and at length she managed to secure
his quasi Punishment from court and his removal
from the post Of Grand Master OF the Horse. the
Enthusiastically at St. Petersburg being given to
him by way OF compensation
or Hebrew descent he was the son Of a well
known Partisan horse dealer Of the name OF Felix.
and only changed his name Fleury when he
enlisted in the army. OF ell the members OF the
Napoleonic court the general was certainly the
one who bore the final catastrophe with the great
est eguanirnity, and the only comment he was ever
heard to make was that the empire had enabled
him to pass eighteen years Of his life in an aw-
fully pleasant manner" He remained faithful to
the Bonapartlst until the death OF tine prince
imperial. the responsibility FOR which. like many
others. he laid at the door Of Empress Eugenie,
insisting that it her arbitrarincss well as
her closeness in money matters which had led her
unfortunate son TO expatriate himself Indeed. the
general used to give pathetic accounts Of the
humilations 70 which the young prince sub
Jected after he had come OF for lack Of money.
After the death Of the prince imperial all relations
between the Fleurys and the Empress came to
end.
II recall these facts It is because General Count
Fleurys English son-irl-Iaw W. Meredyth Thomas
formerly captain in the British Army, has Just
blown his brains out at Monte Carlo IN order TO
avoid arrest on extradition warrant for an at
te0-nt 10 murder his wife last December at St
Stephens Mansions Westminster, London. Mere
dyth Thomas and his wife. daughter OF General
Count Fleury. judicaIly separated in spite OF
which he continued to annoy her. on December l
last he secured TO her house IN the gUise OF
his own lawyer whose appearance he had in
measure assumed by means Of n white wig, white
whiskers and gold spectacles. The countess quickly
penetrated her husbands disguise. and an alterca-
ton followed. which eliminated in Meredyth
Thomas pulling cut revolver and firing II point
blank at his wife, the bullet striking and slightly
woUnding a clerk IN the employ Of the countess's
lawyers who present. Alarmed by what he had
done, Meredyth Thomas fed, leaving his white wig.
his gold spectaces and his brief bag behind HIM
On the following day warrant was issued for his
arrest on charge OF attempted murder.
The brother Of the countess-namely Count Gas
ton Fleury-has likewise been unfortunate in his
matrimonial experiences for his wife. daughter or
Baron Deslandes, possessed Of great wealth, much
beauty and fame a writer and as an artist
secured not merely divorce from him, but likewise
annulment Of her marriage from the Vatican
Since then she has kept both her name and his
almost continuously before the public by the legal
proceedings in connection with her marriages to
Prince Robert de Brogie. who. through his mother
a daughter OF the great sugar refner Saye. Is con-
nected by marriage with Frederick Gerhard. Mrs
Frederic Nelson and Mrs. Reginald Vanderbilt. Of
New-York. and with number OF other New-fork
people. The father Of The prince. Prince Amadeus
de Broglle. ard his uncle the Duke de Broghe
oppose the marriage. which took place in London
some time ago. and which they have been endeav-
orlng ever since 10 get annulled.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.