New-York tribune., 1906-04-02
TIE GOLDEN FLEECE.

Roth the courts OF Austria and Of Spain are TAX
ing an active part IN the exhibition this summer
at Bruges OF everything connected with the oroer
oS the Golden Fleece. which was founded there py
TobiJip the Good Duke Of Burgundy in 1870. in the
very palace now the Hotel de Vile. where the eX-
bbition is 10 be held. The Golden Fleece Is to-day
the principal order OF Austria, well as or Spah'
and there Is no order in Europe. with the excep-
tion Of the English Order Of the Garter. that en-
,ovs the same degree of distinction and prestige
The Grand Mastership remained in the possession
Of the Duke OF Burgundy until, on the death OF
Charles the Bold without male issue. II passed 10
his sor1-in-law, the Emperor Macmillan OF Ger
many From that time the chieftainship has oe-
long 10 the imperial house Of Hapshurg whlcn'
until 1900 occupied the throne Of Spain Al me
beginning OF the eighteenth century. when the
death Of the last Hapsburg ruler OF Spain resulted
in the succession TO the throne Of the French DUKE
of Aniou. grandson Of Louis XIV, violent quarrel
ensued on the subject OF the Golden Fleece Inc
new king insisted that II was a Spanish order.
while the German Emperor held that II belonged
exclusively his house. and that from the mo-
rnent the latter ceased 10 occupy the throne Of
Spain the connection OF the order with the spanish
crown terminated ipse facto. Until about twenty
years ago person who had received the rleece
from the crown Of Spain permitted to wear 1t
al the court Of Vienna the ignore the rule.
unless I am much mistaken, being Emperor VIII
lam.
On, ordinary occas sions the tewelled insignia con-
s,sting Of the golden fleece of ram. are worn
which on grand occasions. is replaced by gold
and iewelled chain. The insignia are returned 10
the chapter on the death of each knight by his sur
yiving relatives and heirs. Each Golden Fleece
now in existence has figured on the breasts or
famous men in bygone centuries Thus the fleece
bestowed on the late Prince Bismarck was hun
dreds OF years ago. suspended from the neck OF
the Duke Of Alva. the despot Of the Netherlands,
,,,,o virtually destroyed the grandeur and prosper
,t r Fruges the close of the sixteenth century.
,yb,le the fleece that belonged to Duke Philip OF
burgundy the founder Of the order. is to-day IN
the possession OF Don Carlos, Pretender 10 the
throne OF SPAIN and shameful relate. used occa-
sionaly 20 be pawned by him at the Monts de Piete
az Milan and at Venice. before his first wtfe's in
heritance Of the great fortune Of her uncle and
aunt the late Count and Countess de Chambord,
placed him in affiuence. On one occasion, when
he had failed TO redeem in time the magnih-
cen,I, 4AueIled fleece Il was placed on exhibit
,iop nv the Mont de Piete Milan. along
with other unredeemec pledges. Called 10 indig-
nant account by his relatives and by the other
rneubers of the order notably by Emperor Francis
Tosenb he sought 10 excuipste himself by intimat-
,rq that it had been pledged by member OF his
encourage without his knowledge or consent This
person was arrested. and when placed on trial
,,r,ad ont ~ he a most distinguished Csrlist gen
ers, and spanish grandee. who had sacrificed his
,or,une and his home. and accepted exile for the
sake of the pretender. Don Carlos seems 20 have
relied on hts devotion 10 submit in silence 10 the
stigma OF crime IN order to save his master But a
little later IN the day the veteran Caihe 10 'o So1
cl,sion that the pretender not worthy OF ths
sacrifice of hts name and honor and accordingly
produced letters and documents 70 show that the
Golden Fleece had been pawned by Don Carlos who
mad received and spent in dissipation every penny
of the money thus obtained OF course, the gem
ersl was at once acquitted. and Don Carlos, while
fortunate enough escape a suit for damages and
urnoeedinEs for perjury, denounced from one
end Of Europe 10 the other for his lack Of gratitude
and for his absence OF all sense of honor.
Z Spain. the knights or the Golden
Fleece have precedence every one else, are