New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-01
NOT A CHILD OF NATURE.

Nine. Wolhing. the variety actress wife OF
Archduke Leopold. who is now being sued by
husband for divorce, far from belonging 10 the
colony OF "naturists" at Ascona, on the Lago
Maggiore is living Mt Zurich, at a small hotel with
her sister and may be daily in the streets OF
that city. always very fashionably dressed. and Is
known there a most inveterate theatregoer
About two years ago she and her husband were
induced by Of his former Austrian fellow ON
GERS. who had also married variety actress and
who had Joined the naturist" colony at Ascona, to
visit them there The eX-Archduke and his wife
spent six weeks with their friends at Ascona
then became Disguised with the whole thing and
returned TO their home at Lake lug where they
have a very comfortable villa. surrounded by largo
grounds Nor has either Of them ever been at
Ascona since I may add that their friend. the
Austrian officer is IN unatio asylum.
The stories therefore which have been pub
lished far and wide Of Nine. Wolfng's being
rayed in the most elementary Of garments living
in clay hut vegetables and fruits and as hav-
ing renounced not merely all feminine elegance
but even that virtue which comes next TO goodness
namely cleanliness are without foundation. and
the portraits drawn of her 'naturist" are the
work OF Imagination.
It Is perfectly true. however. that the Ill mated
couple are separated and that suit for divorce Is
In progress. Moreover their villa at Lake zug is
deserted. NIme. Wolhing goes there about once a
fortnight to that everything is In order but she
declines live there the ground that she needs
amusement such the theatres, the concert halls,
the hotel balls. etc. of Zurich afford TO her The
differences between the eX-Archduke and his wife
have nothing whatsoever to DO with the "naturist
colony at Ascona. but arise from incompatibity.
and. above ali. from the vulgarity, ignorance and
lack OF breeding OF the woman.
With all his faults, the ex-Archduke possesses
culture OF a very high order. is extremely accom-
plished has pronounced taste for study, especially
for abstruse mathematical problems. for chemistry,
electricity etc His wife has such leanings and
has resented ell his attempts 10 educate her UP to
his level. Even his efforts to impart to her the
most entary education and to teach her to
write correctly and to speak dramatically have
sgnally failed Her idea OF life is pleasure, and
It is pleasures Of nature that most strong
ly appeal to her Finally. her companionship be-
came such an intolerabe torture to the ex-Arch-
duke, especially when she insisted upon inviting
members of her family and her friends TO stay with
him, that he gave up the game, arranged for q
separation TO which she only too glad to give
her consent. and is now in the south OF France
pending tho divorce suit. Loving notoriety, she
has become such an extremely we'll known figure
Zurich that it is amazing that stories regarding
her alleged membership Of the "naturist colony at
Ascona should have been published so far and wide
with illustrations before any attempt was made to
verify them.
NOBLE PRECURSOR OF MARCONI.
The marriage the other day OF the Conte de
Kersaint. representing OF the oldest houses of
the Breton aristocracy to Mile. Isabella de Bot
tineau, Is worthy OF more than passing note, owing
to the fact that ancestor of hers, David de Bot
tinsau was in measure the precursor of Signor
Marooni in the matter OF wireless telegraphy.
Away back in the middle OF the eighteenth cen
fury de Bottineau, who at the time captain OF
the port at Port Louis In what then tho lie
de Franco and what is to-day Mauritius. made
a discovery which enabled him TO detect the pres
OF ships far below horizon. in fact hours,
and even days. before they appeared to view on
the horizon. According to Bottineau. every ship
at prOdtloes lamentations" ThaEA pmhnatiOne
affect the transparency OF the atmosphere.
Thus certain effects are produced upon the hort-
Son which be seen and read These mani
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