New-York tribune., 1908-05-11
TIE FIRST DUCHESS OF DINO.

--r Tuchesse De Dino's memoirs. which are now
appearing in la Revue De Paris bid fair TO
T~0ve ever stu more entertaining than those OF
rha Cortesse de Boigre. For as the favorite niece
90 the great TalIeyrand and as the mistress OF his
es-zhishneI- also by virtue OF her infinitely ST.
Ferl0r rank. she had far greater opportunities of
seeing and knowing Intimately the leading actors
in The history Of the first half ~ the eighteenth
century than the Comtesse de Boigne. Moreover,
me- memoirs while less spitefuI. say less
rerumous much franker and unreserved IN their
srpreriztion of people and conditions which the
duchess views from loftier plane than the
countess
T-ssmuch as the name and title Of The Due de
Bsao ase known 10 most people in this country
~ through The fact that il IS borne to-day by
1aE-ice de Talleyrand- Perigord. who enjoys the
Sstinction Of having been divorced by two Ameri-
tan women in succession his first wife having
heeH Miss Elizabeth Curtis and his second wife
t7e fCTuer Mrs Frederick William Livingston.
both = New York-(he is the intimate friend and
CoE n Henri Rochefort. whose artistic tastes and
l"iHcal views he sharesD-it may be as well 10
stale that the Duchesse de Dino, whose memoirs
ere row being published. born as Princess
1oTc'hea % Courland. granddaughter OF that
h-ren- Duke of Courland. who. starting life
mere 'olrlard peasant, managed 10 ingratiate him
Set to such a. extent that he became the favorite
. his sovereign. Anne. Duchess Of Courland.
wen she sueceeded 10 the throne Of Russia
'zsrra iH l73a he became more powerful than
e'er through her favor. and thanks 10 the latter.
Us created Bake of CoUrland. in spite Of the
tl7eruoUF opposition Of the nobility Of the duchy.
~ ~ ces1r q The CzaTina ne acknowledged
r Regent - the Empire. but Was oveuhrown by
AsTsssi Heri~li and banished to Siberia. Csthe-
T7f 1re Great not ONLY recalled him. but restored
' a]tn lis duChy - Fourland. which he abandoned
q MS son Pete. Peter who the father of
.he ygc6esse de Dino. retained possession OF the
e1eay uEt.i The ear Of the birth of his ycungest
S1gh'er namely, the author Of the memoirs hon
-As published. and then Surrendered Courland to
IMPRESS Catherine dying - 1900.
~ view of rhe SagaE-GoGid romance, if romance
= ca 1e called. It may .e Of interest 70 mention
'al tfts Duke I'cfer OF courlsUd likewise
=. .he - SaEau-that = TO say. OF a hef which n
- TINE leIJLged 10 NalIonsteu. the hero or the
."IE lears War. The duke. "i.o-FHcitc1 good
sai - Tidiclle ly transforming lis name If Bircn
-tS biron. and by assuming the arInorst bear
rs q tls Ill ii1str.o-s ard historic French dueIi
~ ne latter. left four daughter the eldest mar
- - ing Prince Louis f:oh5u, ti.c second Prince
.'I'zo!lera-IEechiueea, the thirl one "f tae
'i'al.'an princes I8enaieIi. while tin yoJGsesl-
'o~-ea- after est.aorairarE educatia1., W-,
ne foint "f wedding Prince dam 'zart"Eis.>..
- -. tns greatest mobiles # Poland fHt WIS
i1ces ty Emperor Alexander 4" wed instead
'ts'r1 Dc Tail@- ra-s5 PsriLord. rs5sIeT q th-
80 iFlr"e Ialle-sa-.j. ). ;b~ '--r i---5 ANXIOUS e.
'a'lilafe tie latter a. fc-otlaL-s.g a Hiar~iEse
- Is nephew With cIs q i.e greatest AelfeEze-