The Washington times., 1907-02-24

Methought I saw the footprints Of throne
Wordsworth
Here and sOrrOwH sit; here is my throne
Shakespeare
T OR years the most pathetic figure In all
l. Europe has been the former Empress
of the French, the Inflated Eugene.
She who was once the most bril-
liant. beautiful and hattered OF all sovereign
consorts whose gay court was the Mecca Oh the
fashionable world, and whose smile OF approval
was more highly priced than wealth, has spent
the declining years of her eventful life IN sad
ness and solitude; she has long been lettering
Ia the valley of the shadow For her. indeed
sorrow.s crown of
Is remembering happier things
Hurled from her throne by thunderbolt
of fate as sudden as it was direfuI; hurried
into exile, then soon to lose both husband and
son, the clouds, WHEN they came, came thlckly.
At her modest country home IN the south
of England this unhappy woman, called the
loneliest in all Europe, has quietly sat Tor
wears awaiting a welcome release from the
chains of life.
Her only pleasures-most pathetic ones
have been in tending the last resting places Oh
NAPOLEON IL and the young Prince Imperial; IN
guarding a few sacred relics of the past and OF
those she loved best, and occasional visit
TO Paris where she might gaze upon the scenes
of her former splendor, but more particularly
upon the garden of the Tmlerles, where, she
would say, with wan smile' my sun u'Ou ~
play"
Quite as hopeless, perhaps, from a political
viewpoint is the position of Prince Victor Ma
poIc0n who claims the Bonapartlst succession,
and is styled Napoleon " by his followers:
Prince Victor, however, has not retired
from the world nor permitted hlmseh 10 De sur
rounded by an atmosphere of gloom and despair.
He manages to enjoy life fairly well. even
tbouch he considers it prudent to remain out
side the borders of his beloved France,
Being a cousin of the King of Italy, he Is
ALWAYS welcome at that court; in fact, Victor
Emmanuel is said to be rather fond Of him
His brother, Prince Louis Napoleon, is one OF
the most popular and highly favored generals IN
the Russian army
KEEPS HIMSELF IN THE LIMELIGHT
Prince Victor is a familiar figure on the
boulevards of Brussels, where ne resides, as
we'll as on the streets of Rome. He IS of medium
height. slightly bald and inclined to embonpoint,
fact that does not displease him, since 1t was
q physical characteristic of the first Napoleon.
Victor is determined that the world shall
not forget his claims to the imperial throne
of France.
He has written a book upon his great
uncle's career and at times sends to his par
tisans throughout France signed photographs
of himself.
France is also responsible for the throne
less latter years of two other derects of royalty
-Ranavaona, formerly Queen OF Madagascar,
and Behazin, one-time King Of rDahomey an
general of its famous army of AmaZons.
Since 1897 Ranavalona, who was rudely
torn bv invading troops from her palace over
looking the Indian Ocean, has been virtually a
prisoner, although she is allowed a house IN
Algiers, and is permitted to visit Paris.
Back in 1885. when the nations of Europe
were reaching out for more colonial posses
sions, Queen Ranavalona III, then woman oil
IS years, was quietly ruling over her beloved
Madagascar.
France and England came to agreement
under which the latter wae to establish pro
tectorate over Zanzibar and the former ont
over Madagascar.
1t so happened that the people of Zanzibar
made no objection to the arrangement; but the
Horas of Madagascar did object. and most de
cidedly.