New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-21

death at her Chateau de Cavalerie in the Dor
cogne. her dress having caught fire from cigar
cite while in the same week her eldest son sue
cunoed to fever the west coast OF Africa, where
he had volunteered for active service in order TO
secure more rapid promotion.
Inc marquis, who probably owing to his Ameri-
can birth, had much OF the American spirit Of
enterprise IN him. was the earliest promoter Of the
Slmplon Sub-AIpIne Tunnel Napoleon III prom
lsed him subvention Of SoO0OOo9. and the Swiss
canton de Naud and the Italian government were
ABOUT to follow suit when the between France
ana Germany broke out. and the empire came 70
grief. The national defence government OF France
suppressed all subventiOns, and the Simplon scheme
came to grief for the time being. The marquis
appointed Aquidator OF the company by the share
holders. and he took his duties so much to heart
that he gave the bulk of his private fortune most
o. It Inherited from his mother. clear of its
debts The remainder of his property he sacrificed
in supporting the hopeless Bonapartist cause, and
at the time OF his death IN 1892 insolvent,
broken alike in purse and spirit He left three
daughters, one OF whom married the Count Aimery
de Montaur, and Henry, now Marquis de Ia
Nalette who IS one % the founders OF the Auto
mobile Club IN France, and a striking example OF
the go-ahead French aristocrat with a strain OF
American blood IN his veins. Graduating with
honors as an engineer OF the French State School
OF Mines, the marquis served for time head
Of the Department OF Arts et Meters at Paris and
when the late Car applied TO the French govern
ment for an engineer set up electrical works in
his Siberian mines Henri dc la Valetts was select
ed for the Job. He travelled for weeks the
frozen rivers Of Siberia. The ice that winter was
much broken UP. II necessary TO put
fourth horse to the sleigh as unicorn. 1t went for
ward as a guide. held by reins twenty yards long
that dragged on the icy surfacs. The horse was
eventually swallowed up at one weak spot on the
See. where the whole party would have been
drowned had & not been for this precaution. At
the next station another horse was supplied. which
in turn met with the same fate. And 50 1--WE or
six horses sacrificed in this fashion during the
"trip through Siberia The marquis has fulfilled
number OF government missions OF scientific
character and has received the Cross OF the Ie-
gion OF honor from the French Republic for his
services IN organizing mining legislation and reEu-
latons in Madagascar.
This practice OF securing nobliary titles IN France
by means OF getting ones self adopted by some
nobleman who IS without male heir and the last Of
his line is more frequent than dreamt OF by people
in this country. and the OF the Samuel welles
Marquis De la Valette, is by means isolated
case. The late Marquis OF MontcaInn last Of the
bneal descendants OF that celebrated military COM
mander and field marshal who resisted the British
conquest OF Canada during the eighteenth century
and fell In battle under the walls OF Quebec, be-
qUeathed his historic name and title by means OF
adoption 10 young fellow OF the name OF St
Maurice who was IN no wise related to him. and
# is not very long ESQ that This London Morn
ing Post'-the organ par excellence" Of English
society. edited and owned by peer OF the realm
contained the following advertisement:
An opportunity occurs by which gentleman
under twenty. OF good education and large means.
may be adopted by childless French duke. the
title notwithstanding to the letters patent
creating the honor-to the adopted son"
or course. such titles OF relatively small
value. since the French government does not recog
nize them But for man Of obscure origin there
is decidedly, advantage in inhertins through
adoption an historic and iUstrious name.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.