New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-11
EMPRESS EUGENIE'S HEIR.
II Granddaughter, Who Has assumed
the Title of Count de Montijo.

mise or Princess Mathil0e Bonaparte, nearly Two
months ago, in order to be with the duchess at the
Hotel Bristol. The duchess. whose husband. the
sixteenth Duke Of Alba and ninth Duke OF Ber-
wick. died In New-Yo-k at the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in
1901. during the Americas Cup races. was very
clever woman. daughter OF the late Duke Of Fer
nan-Nunez. for so many years Spanish Ambassador
at Paris and not only a Dame du Palais. but
also intimate friend of the Queen Mother Chris
tina who used TO have but fault with which TO
reproach her, namely, that of unpunctUality. In
fact the duchess had notion Of the value Of time
a shortening which she shared with her husband
and have often known their guests 10 be kept wait
ing for over hour when invited to dine at the
I1ria Palace at Madrid both the host and hostess
being out, the duke probably playing cards at the
Feloz Club. and the duchess detained chatting with
the Queen Regent. making calls. perfectly I'M
conscious OF and indifferent TO the hour.
The duchess possessed great literary gifts. Al
the time OF the Christopher Columbus Quadricen-
tennal she issued most interesting work, OF great
historical value. containing a selection OF docu-
ments, state papers ana letters. dozen in the
handwriting OF Columbus. comprised among the
archives OF her own family and Of that Of her hus-
band. Some years later she came once more before
the public with issue of another work Of the
same kind. which bears the somewhat misleading
title OF Catalogue OF the Collections OF the Lira
Palace" II is very far from being mere catalogue
On the contrary. II Is erudite and careful Sc
lection OF some three hundred documents, covering
period extending from the eleventh century until
the middle OF the eighteenth. which. brought
forth for the first time after having lain long
concealed IN the lsria Palace. shed and valuable
light on the history. not alone OF SPAIN but also OF
America. In the case of each document the duchess
added notes giving information 20 the person
ages ard facts mentioned IN the document. many
OF which reproduced in facsimile by means OF
phOtogravure.
The death OF the duchess cannot have failed to
recall 20 Empress Eugene painful memories Of the
death OF that other Duchess Of Aha, who likewise
ended her DAYS in Paris. during the reign of Ma
poleon III. tended by Empress Eugenie who
her sister EuEenio was devoted her. and
has always looked upon her children relatives
particularly near and dear TO her. In fact. the
younger son OF the Duchess of Alba whose death
has just taken place is understood to be destined
20 inherit very large portion OF the fortune OF the
eN-Empress. and has IN connection Herewith and
at her request assumed the title and name Of Count
Montlio. which the patronymic OF Eugenie
and OF her sister. until their respective marriages.
The present Duke Of Alba, and the young Count
OF Montijo. grandnephews therefore, OF the En-
press. and chief mourners the funeral OF their
mother. have the royal blood Of England In their
veins. For they are descended from King James
II OF England and Mrs. Godfrey better known as
Arabella Churchill sister Of the first Duke OF Mari
borough. and. through her influence King
James. the founder OF the fortunes OF the Duke Of
Marlborough's family. King James conferred upon
his by ArabeIla Churchill the titles Of Duke Of
Berwick, Earl OF Tlnmouth and Baron Of Bos-
worth by patent dated March IS 1884, and these are
recorded in the Patent Rolls" of England but the
duke was attainted in 1925 by Parliament, whereby
his honors became forfeited.
The first Duke OF Berwick. who likewise
created Duke OF FItzjames by the King Of France
and Duke OF IIria and OF Zerica by the King Of
Spain, married twice His eldest succeeded 10
his Spanish honors and retained the title Of Duke
OF Berwick under which his senior lineal descend
ant still figures IN the "Almanach de Gotha-" The
younger son inherited his fathers French titles.
r7o-~h --1 HE iaY1g
Duke Of Fftzjames. who is far richer in armorial
cuarterings than in worldly possessions. and for
many years conspicuous member OF the en-
tourage OF the late Baron Hirsch. acting In
measure as his master of ceremonies, and as or
sanizer OF his entertainments. The dukes younger
brother Count Henri F1tzjames after being d.
vorced by his wife. Countess de Contaut Biron,
came 20 this country in the train OF the late Syoh
Sanderson two years ago. and announced his en-
gagement 20 her. But the prina donna changed her
nina on her return 20 Paris and the count has
since then made his home in the United States
The Sparfsh line OF Berwick and OF Liria became
through tie marriage OF the fifth Duke OF Der
wick to the only daughter and sole heiress OF the
twelfth Duke OF Alba. merged in the historic duke
dom Of Alba. title which is now borne in con-
junction with that OF Berwick The present Duke
OF Aha and Berwick educated. like his brother
the Count de Montijo. in England. at Elton, under
the care OF their gTandaunt, Empress Eugenie and
both young noblemen talk English without any
trace Of foreign accent
There was q question at ono moment Of the
duke taking steps TO secure the reversal OF the
attainder against the first Duke OF Berwick. with
the object OF the revival OF the latter's English
peerages But Il was advised by counsel that be-
fore any Parliamentary act OF reversal OF the at
tsinder could be obtained. It would be necessary
that. the duke should become a naturalized sub
ject OF the English Crown such naturalization en-
failing the Remuneration OF his allegiance TO the
King OF Spain. under whom he held the titles OF
Duke OF Alba Of Iiria, OF Muescar, OF Arizona and
OF Oivares OF course, this out OF the Ques-
ton and thus Empress Eugenie's gTandnephcw re-
mains the only British duke who figures as such
in the 'Almanach de GOtha," but not in the British
Official ''peerages."
Two things more OF interest to mention IN con-
necton with the present Duke of Alba; one Is that
IL was his grandfather the fifteenth Duke OF Alba,
bro,her-in-law OF Empress Eugene. who killed tho
United States Minister. NJ. Soule. IN duel at Mad
rid in the latter part OF the ffties. Another is
that the young duke and his brother. the
Count de Montiio. great-great-grandsons OF
William Kirkpatrick, who for many years was
United States Consul at Malaga and who lived for
a time in Philadelphia William Kirkpatrick was
not really q SoOtchman. has been alleged. but
an Irishman hailing from tho north OF the Emerald
Isle which he claimed the land OF his birth until
HIS acquaintance with some OF the local Spanish
aristocracy at Malaga filed MS head with msnia
on the subject Of geEealogy.
He left ireland. not as has been alleged by biog-
raphers OF Empress Eugenie, on account of his de-
votion to the OF the Stuarts. but merely for
the sake Of acting as buyer and drummer for a
number OF Belfast and Dublin grocers. In fact.
the Scotch Kirkpatricks OF CIoseburn. OF which
Client house Sir Charles Fitzpatrick Is the head re-
pudiate all connection with William Fitzpatrick,
and. thanks 10 the data relating their lineage
preserved at the Royal College of Heralds at Edin-
burgh have been able 20 show not only that Will
lam Fitzpatrick in related to their
family. but moreover that the genealogical tree and