New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-06
DUKE A DrVA's SON.

JUNE \ DIV AS SON.
The Duke and Duchess de Frias. who
have just returned 10 Europe after a So
journ Of several years IN Africa. and who
are now staying with the Duke OF Alba 1t
his palace OF Liria. in Madrid. ar. In
reality more than half English For the
duchess is daughter OF Sir Charles
Knowles. Bart. and the widow OF Henry
Arthur Tempest. while the duke, who was
educated at Elton. had as mother Victoria
h~fe' and Is therefore a grandson OF
Michael ". Balfe, the composer Of The
Bohemian Girl and other well known
operas.
The present dukes mother. Victoria
Bslfe. was on the operate stage when she
won the love OF Sir John Champion, British
Ambassador at ST. Petersburg. and became
his wife Finding that his situation had
thereby become rather difficult al the court
OF the Gar. Sir John. who. it may be re
membered. had previously been Withdrawn
from the post OF English Envoy al WASH
inston on the demand OF President Buch-
anan. was transferred as Ambassador 10
Madrid. where Lady Crompton was at FIRST
received IN the most gracious fashion.
In the winter Of 1855 she fell in
love with the Duke de Frias one OF the
greatest mobiles Of Spain ana q lineal de-
scendant Of the Grand Constable Of CASTLE
under King John II. The "grande passion
between the smbassadress and the duke
soon became a matter OF talk, nothing.
however. occurring 10 create a real scan
dal
Sir John Champion. with the same chiv-
airy that characterized John Ruskin in his
domestic relations. realizing that his wife
could only be happy with the man to whom
as he desired above everything else her
welfare he would offer no defence IL she
brought suit I'm London not for divorce
but for the annuiment OF the marriage. I'M
der circumstances which would permit her
10 resume her maiden name
Like John Ruskin, Sir John Champion
offered no defence, and allowed judgment
TO be pronounced against him. His chiv-
AIRY I'm the matter was appreciated no
where more than in Spain. and II Is doubt
full whether any foreign ambassador ever
enjoyed similar amount OF popularity
among the countryHen Of Cervantes. He
remained AZ Madrid until his retirement
from the diplomatic service in 1850.
on the snnUlment Of her marriage the
eK-Lady CHAMPION lost no time in marry
ing the Duke Dc Friss. and with an incom-
prehensihle lack OF decacy the newly
welded couple proceeded direct from Paris
10 Madrid. where naturally they found
every door closed against them.
Even essygoing Queen Isabella was out
ragged by the heartlessness and lack Of
gratitude shown by the new nedg~d
duchess and refused 10 receive her. In q
rage the duke sent back to the Queen his
grand cross Of IN. Order OF Charles III.
resigned his post Of Chamberlain and with
fifteen years he resided abroad. mostly Al
Biarritz. where the Villa Frias used 70 he
well known 20 American visitors. and
where his Irish wife died in 1871. He sub
sequently married there Princess Carmen
PiEnatell. with whom he returned TO
Spain. where lie died ss Civil Governor OF
Madrid
His son by Victoria Ralfe. after leaving
Eton. entered the diplomatic service Of
Spain. He was secretary OF legation first az
Tangier and then secretary of embassy at
Vienna where ne became involved in all
sorts ~ financial difficulties. which neeessi-
tsted his departure from the Austrian capt
tai and led 10 the severance OF his connec-
ton with Spanish diplomacy.
Happening 10 meet Major Gybbon Spills
bury. the head Of an Anglo-Portuguese
company holding charter from the Lisbon
government for the subJeciiOn. administra-
ton and exploitation Of all that territory
in Portuguese Africa living to the east Of
Lake Nyassa. he joined him as one OF his
lieutenants and during the last four years
las been In charge of settlement known
as Gondualo. The entire territory con-
trolled by the chartered company. OF which
the duke has been one Of the four sub-sd-
ministrators. amounts 10 more than sixty
million acres
The duke is probably the finest polo
player and most fearless horseman m
Spain, is splendid shot, a most talented
vioIinist and talks English without the
slightest trace Of foreign accent. His
experiences IN Africa. where he has made
fine record for himself. have caused people
81 spain to pass = sponge over his former
shortcomings. and he is being welcomed at
Madrid with open arms.
MARoUIsE DE FoNTENOY.