New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-20

rlff a. 10
most drastic order for those who nv gross viola
lions Of the speed limits contribute the prejudice
q the masses against the automobile.
REVIVAL OF a FAMOUS TRAGEDY.
Although more than threescore wears have
eIapeed since The murder ~ the Duchesse de C'oi-
relll- Frasln ;n Paris the tragedy has once moro
been brought the tapis. ny means 81 an extraor-
binary conJroversy between the wei known French
writer A. Sayine. and the still widely known
Vicorte de Reiset. who has written a number. Of
works characterized by much research and dealing
with the historical and makers ~ history in
the early part 81 the nineteenth century. a Sa-
vine in his recent book, L Assassnat de II
Duchesse de Praslin." intimstes COR the first time
that her husband justified killing her IN
fact he does not hesitate 10 bring the most shock
Ing charges against her I'm cold print-charges OF
which viii say nothing. beyond the that they
recall those made against Queen Marie Antonette
AZ her trial. and which led her 10 appeal in her
maternal horror and Indignation. ITO every mother
present in protest.
A savine pointed out that. although the duchess
the victim. and killed I'm the most savage
manner, being literally hacked 10 pieces and thrust
through and through by her husband with one OF
his swords or saDres. vet the children the couple
always remained after that tragedy devoted TO tho
memory of their father. literally Ignoring that OF
Iheir mother. The children were all old enough 10
be able 10 form judgment Of their parents for
a. the time Of their mothers murder the eldest
daughter, Louise. nineteen. Bertha seventeen
Marie fifteen and CASTOR, the eldest son thirteen
he succeeded 10 the duke1om and married Miss
Eliza beth Forbes, OF New York-whIe Count Hor-
ace de Choiseul who was later 10 become Assistant
Secretary OF State for Foreign Affairs was ten.
Not one Of them ever mentioned the mother
fe-rod 10 her in any way. In fact. as their
relatives and the public were concerned. they ig-
no-ed her. II may be assumed that they detested
her Certain II is that their sympathy. their pity
and their loving remembrance We're restricted TO
their fatheT-that is 10 say. 10 the murderer OF
their mother.
A Sayine also emphasizes The fact 10 which I
have on several occasions drawn attention IN these
letters, that the duke survived tie murder OF his
wife and his own alleged death until just the
Franco-GerInan War, and asserts that IN every one
OF me marriage contracts Of his daughters who all
married after the tragedy, a clause was inserted
providing for the payment Of certain annuity
for the SUPPORT OF their father General Count
Alfred dc Granont, who married the eldest daueh-
ter, Louise and The Marquis de Moutalernbert who
married Marie. both Of thFn referring 10 the DIFF
ncllty OF making their income balance with their
expenses, exclaimed in the presence of friends and
acquaintances, who have testified thereto ''and
then there is the annuity for notre beau rere four
aather-in-law). Certain il Is that was not until
as2 OF 1870 that the Duke OF Choiseu- PrasIin who
was supposed 10 have succumbed 10 suicide In ls47
was laid to rest Ia the family mausoleum and II is
only from that time forth that his name ar,rears
on the tomb reposine therein.
OF the dukes responsibility for the murder OF his
wife there can be no doubt whateyer. for not only
was lie covered wiki scratches which he had re-
ceived in his struggle with her. Of his hair
was found clutched in her hand when her body was
examined. while il was one Of his swords that
formed part Of Danoply OF arms adjoining the
wall Of his dressing room with which she was
killed he was indicted for her murder before the
Chamber Of Peers. but is officially reported 10 have
soccuInbed 10 arsenical poisoning in prison before
me hearing was completed leaving a Will but re
training from any confession. Stories at once be-
came current that the duke was not really dead
ana mat he had been permitted 10 escape in this
1asiloh me penalty OF his crime through the in
nuence Of the royal family for he was extremely
intimate with all the members Of the House OF
orleans and had been one II the principal mem
Deis Of The household Of the heir apparent the
luxe OF orleans. The murdered duchess does not
however seem 20 have shared the good viii ~ the
I"saL FAMILY. despite the regard for her father
I'm SeDasaan, who after having been one 81 the
Fi'C'pai generals and ambassadors If his fellow
toislcan, the FIRST Napoleon was advanced Nv
hlhg Louis Philippe 10 the rank Of Marshal ~
france and 10 Minister Of Foreign Affairs and az
tHs navy The Nicomte Dc Reiset IN MS book
i7eies oe Nleux Temps; Fannie Sebastian Ouch
esse DC Prasln." just published. does not dispute
The savne story 10 the eject that the duke sur
RlFed his alleged death by q quarter Of a century
IN Iaci ne practically confirms H. But he con
ms AlInseH with defending the memory Of the
oueness whom he declares 10 have been a martyr
ieseiFlAe al his dengnciation for the duke
J. Is worthy Of note that neitaer Sa,in. NOR ,1,a
Nloomte de Reis= has single word To say against
~i-ss i1enrleta beluzy. the goperness who at the
''"i7 oi TIE crime reported to have been the
cause thereof. owing the mad infaiuation with
NiHch she had inspired the duke. She was soon
c'afea OF these charges. one She strongest ..vi
r'i'c-s IN her favor being the that all the
oufes children both grown up and the young
H'Ffs were extremely fond Of her and that she was
'A1'A i"'le 10 them than their mother. Coming 10
this country, she married the Rev DR. Henry Field
brother Of Cyrus Field. ana lies burial in
Noodlawn Cemetery. Ia this city.