The Washington herald., 1907-07-08
EUGENIE'S SAVIOR DEAD.
Count Nigra Protected Empress
from Mob.

Count Constantine Nlgra, dean Of the
Italian diplomats, Is dead. He was born
IN f52S, served as a volunteer in the war
against Austria, in lSiS says the Philadel-
phia Press.
He was appointed Minister Of Sardinia,
and later of Italy to Paris, and on Sep
tember 4. 1870, he was one of the small
number OF friends of the court who gath
cred at the Tuilleries for the protection Of
the Empress Eugene, whom he did not
leave until she was safe out Of Paris
In 1876 Count Nigra was appointed Am
bassadOr at ST. Petersburg, In 1882 he
represented Italy at the Court Of St
James, and in lSS! he was appointed Am
bassador TO Austria, which post he held
until 1903. Recently the count had been
suffering from pneumonia, and the for
mer Empress Of France. recalling the
counts devotion to her in 1870, made in
quiries regarding his health and sent him
a message Of sympathy.
In 1899 Count Nigra took part in the
Peace Congress at The Hague, where he
showed himself not only past master in
statacraft, but also possessed Of more
profound experience Of diplomacy and Of
a more extensive knowledge of men and
affairs than any Of his colleagues. He
was a poet OF high gifts, writing verses
with equal facility in Italian and French
while with regard to his wit, a popular
writer recalls a remark which he made
one evening at a dinner in London. He
was asked whether 1t was true that Italy,
Germany, and Austria were marching
arm I'm arm.
Yes" he replied. that is just what
we are doing now But We are very much
like three men going out bear-hunting
arm In arm. Whether We shall maintain
that pleasant attitude when we meet the
bear is quite another question
Count Nigrs has generally been cred
tied with a sentiment somewhat stronger
than mere admiration fGT the Empress
Eugene. and It is possible owing 20 this
fact that he remained single all his life,
says the same writer. This COnstancy.
however, was Of a purely sentimental ma
ture. and AT no time was colOred by pol
itics.
Like so many OF his countrymen, Count
Nigra has never permitted his heart 10
interfere with his head or 10 render him
in any way unworthy Of the praise be-
slowed upon him by the great Cavour.
who was wont 10 declare that NigTa was
the only real dipl0matist in Europe-be-
sides himself.
That little Nigra did not permit his
devotion 20 the Empress 90 influence the
fulfIlment Of his obligation 70 his cuun-
try may be seen in the fact that ir was
due % his urgent advice that Italy re-
Trained from taking up arms I'm behalf OF
France IN the war Of 1879 Prince Met
ternich it may be remembered, gave
idcuticany the same advice 70 his own
sovereign. Emperor Francis Joseph. Both
ENJOYS admired Eugene deeply. but were
too patriotic on that account 10 associate
their respective countries with France.
which. they were convinced beforehand.
would De defeated
Yet they both proved themselves chiv-
alr0us cavaliers iu the days 0f Eugene g
downfall For when on that memorable
September day. after the battle Of Sedan.
the empire was overthrOwn and the re-
public proclaimed. when a bowling mob
invaded the Tuilleries and Eugene found
herself alone with one Of her ladIes-ln-
waiting. but otherwise absolutely desert
ed I'm the huge palace. IL was Nigra and
Mctteruich who came 10 her rescue. and
who escorted her. not merely ont ~ the
palace. but to the house of the American
dentist. DR. Thomas Evans, where she
lay hidden until il was possible for her
to escape to the coast