The Washington times., 1905-11-02
FAITH CHANGED,
NARQUISE RETURNS
Former Miss Caldwell Is
Again in America.
IS CONFIRMED PROTESTANT
Nine. des Monsters Makes First Visit
to Native Land Since Views
Shifted.

Shifted.
NEW YORK. Nov. 2.-For the first
time since it was reported from Rome
that she had renounced the Catholic
faith and again had become q. Protes-
tant, the Marquise des Monsters Merin-
vile. formerly Miss Mary GwendoIen
Caldwell. is in this country.
She arrived here on the kaiser VIII
helm II.
1t was about year ago that mes
sages from Rome announced the formal
remuneration OF Catholicism by the
marquise. and there was much specuIa-
tion as 10 the real cause of the sudden
decision.
Former Devout Catholic.
For twenty years Miss Caldwell had
been known a devout Catholic. Soon
after she reached her majority, in the
early eighties. she showed her devotion
to the church by giving 100000 to found
the Divinity College in the Catholic
University in Washington
For that service, Pope Leo XIII be-
slowed upon her a diamond-studded
medal and also the decoration of the
Order of the Rose, a distinction no
other woman ever received.
She made other gifts to the church.
and the Pope honored her with special
audiences whenever she was in Rome.
At ceremonies she had a place in the
tribune for the diplomatic corps.
When her renunciation was made pub
lie last year 1t was said one of the
causes of the step was the fact she
had not been received by Pope Plus X
with the cordiality shown by his pre-
decessor. The cardinals closest to the
new Pope We're not those who had
formed the court Of Pope Leo. and.
seemingly, they knew nothing OF the
marqulse and her gifts to the church.
Offended by Ecclesiastics.
It was said she had been offended by
the way her request for a special au-
dience had been received and by the
failure of the ecclesiastical authorities
TO provide a seat for her at one OF the
consistories.
On the other hand. il was said her
change of faith had been brought about
by her marital life, which was said to
have been unhappy The Marquis des
Monsters Merinville. to whom she was
married in 1896. was said TO have led
life diametrically opposed 10 the views
OF SO religious a woman and to have
been the cause OF much suffering 10 her
For two years she had been suffering
with a disease that was undermining
her health causing almost total loss OF
her hearing and sight The lack OF
friends Of the marquise TO have been the
hrst cause of that doubt which grew
MO 2 revolt against the creed she had
auopIed 50 SiIpIIusiesticSlly.
Pope Argued With Her.
1t was said also that her relations
with the Vatican had become somewhat
strained from the time Pope Leo be-
ST rad
Leary, of this city. Soon after the an
nouncement OF the marquise's renuncia-
tion OF the Catholic faith il was ru-
moreo in Rome thar Pope Plus X had
made unusual efforts TO persuade her To
reconsider her decision. He talked with
her privately. and at the end Of the au-
dience. which lasted about an hour. the
marquise was in tears. The Pope. who
accompa MED her to the door, seemed
deeply moved.
Several American bishops were asked
by the Pope TO use their influence to in
duce the marquise 10 return, but appar-
entity their efforts were in vain The
marquise continued to live IN Rome
with her aunt, Mrs. DOnnelly who hard
ly ever LEFT heT. on account Of her all
ment
Miss Caldwell's father was William S.
Caldwell who. after being theatrical
manager in England. settled in Rich
mona. Va. and made q large fortune
IN building gas houses. Her mother was
q Breckinridge and was born in Ken
tucky. When little girl Mary inherit
ed 5000, 600 from her father. and at her
mothers death. a few years later. she
inherited half-milIiOn more
Prince Murat First Suitor
She and her sister. who was married
10 Baron Won Zedwitz. were educated in
The Convent of the Sacred Heart. Man
hattanville The young heiress went 70
Italy in 1887, and there met Prince Mu-
rat. thirty years her senior and finan-
cially in bad straits. He was the grand
son Of Murat. king OF Naples. and
brother-in-law OF Napoleon l. Her en-
gagement 70 the prince was announced
soon after their meeting and elaborate
wedding preparations were made. On
the eve OF the marriage the Prince his
legal representative and his fianCee met
10 arrange the ante-nuptial contract
The prince insisted that "A large ssiTa
be settled upon him Miss Caldwell Of
fered $4,000 a year but that was re-
fused. and the engagement was broken.
Miss Caldwell returned 10 this country.
On October l9, 1892. she was married 10
the Marquis des Monsters Merinville.
and the couple went 10 live IN Paris.