New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
HISTORIC FRENCH pUKEDoAL.


The fitness Of Alexandra Berthier de Wagram
threatens with extinction another Of those duke
doms created by the first Napoleon, and so many
q which have passed out Of existence. For Tie
young fellow, about twenty-four years OF age Is
the only son OF the present and third Prince and
Duke af Wagrarn; and as the latter has no broth
ers and there no other descendants OF the
first duke in the male line direct, TO inherit ms
honors the latter VIII IN all probability die out on
his demise. The present prince is the grandson
Of that most famous Of all Napoeon's generals
namely Marshal Berthier, the hero OF the battle
of Wagran, and leading actor In many another
Of the NspoleOnic victories That brilliant oTncef
OF whom Napoleon was went 20 remark in speak
ing afterxard Of Waterloo. "Ah. if 1 had only
had Berthier there,' intimating that with him In
lieu Of Grouchy and Ney, he would have won the
battle. instead of being defeated by Wellington
Napoleon secured for his favorite Berthier royal
bride in the person Duchess Marie Of Bavaria
Of the ducal branch Of tnat house Of Wittlesbach
20 which late Empress Of Austria, the ex-
Queen Of Naples and the late Duchess dAlencon
belong and Of which the famous oculist, Charles
Theodore. Duke Of Bavaria, is the chief.
Bertnier. who had been created by the emperor
nor only Prince and Duke Of Wagram. but also
sovereign Prince OF Nouchatel. on the occasion of
mis- marriage allowed himself 10 be persuaded by
the duchess and her royal relatives at Munich to
abandon the cause Of Napoleon after the latter s
downfall in 1914 and 10 make his peace with Louis
XVIII who bestowed upon him the highest bonors-
Napoleon resented this more bitterly than anything
else in connection with his overthrow When he
quilted Elba a year later, and resumed for a hun
drsd days the possession OF his throne In Paris
BerthieT, who in Bavaria at the time, felt un-
able 10 resist the longing TO rejon his old friend
ard master and sent a message 10 ask whether
he would receive him
While Napoleon gladly welcomed all his other for
rner officers without reproachins them for their
desertion. not Ney. he sent back intimation
70 Berthier that he would consent to receive him
only II he would appear before him arrayed in the
uniform Of the rank and with the insignia Of the
orders bestowed upon him by Louis XVIII On re-
oEercome by renorse that, leaving his wife and
Atte children some pretext other. he threw
himself out of the window OF the castle 10 the
rocks. nearly a hundred feet below, killing himself
Instantly. Thinks to the influence Of the wild
owed duchess's royal relatives. her husbands titles
Of Prince and Duke Of Wagram confirmed
as French peerages upon ner boy Alexandra,
though. of course, there question OF his
beiag continued sovereign Prince # Neuchatel.
prfhcpality which was handed over to the King
o. Prussia.
Alexandra, Prince and Duke Of wagram on
growing up married Zanaide C1ary niece of Queen
Desree Of Sweden. and also Of the consort of King
Joseph BonaparTe. who lived many years at
boroentown. y. J. The present duke is the OF
iris union and is the widower Of Baroness
Bertha Rothschlld who died six years ago and
VINO the second OF the daughters Of the great
haancial dynasty of Rothschild 10 become con-
vert 70 Christianity and TO wed Roman Catholic
NE FIRST having been her sister. Marguerite Roth
senie. also OF the Frankfort branch of the house,
WHO married the Duc de Granonf Until recently the
ss3s vas in receipt Of an annuity from the French