The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-20
~ La MAR0UIsE DE FONTESoy.

L..
t. INFERIOR NICHOLAS has given his
Il TX consent 10 the marriage Of his
a. cousin. Princess Tatiana Con-
stantiuovnn daughter OF the
Grand Duke Constantine Conscientious
witch. 10 Prince Constantine Bagra-
ton Muchransky, lieutenant of the
| Chevalier c;ardes regiment. and scion
of one OF the most ancient houses OF
the Russian arlstucracy. which prldes
Itself on lis iineal descent from the
biblical King David The Russian
counterpart OF the Almanach dc Go,ha.
published by the government at ST
Petersburg. lays particular stress on
the Jewish origin Of the Begration
family, insists on It's descent from
King David, and states that there is
no other house. either royal or noble,
The Bagrations's descent from King
David figures in documents still In
existence. OF the reign of the Byzan-
tine Emperor Constantine VII, who oc-
cupied the throne at Constantinople In
the ninth century OF tho Christian era.
Twelve hundred years before Christ.
the Bagrations were already flourish
ing as princes and chieftains OF all
that big Jewish colony that was SET.
tied In the Caucasus at the time of the
invasion of Palestine BY the Assyr!an
ruler Tiglnth p!leser l., the founder
of the Assyrian empire. and who In
accordance with the custom in those
days, drove most OF the inhabitants
of the Holy Land from their country
into Cauca sian captivity These Jews
OF the Caucasus retained their Jewish
faith until conquered by the Russians,
who compelled them to adopt Chris
ttanity in its Greek Orthodox form.
The Prince Bagration who Is engag-
ed TO Princess Tattana of Russia.
though still young In years. has seen
not only in the war against Japan, but
likewise in South Africa; for he
volunteered for service with the Beers
in their struggle against Britain, and
was tho adjutant Of that distinguished
French retired cavalry officer General
the Marquis de Villebois. who fell III
the conflict and who included AMONG
the members of his staff. Prince Louis
of Prince CASTOR OF Orleans, Count
dEu, nnd OF the -Crownprincess Of
Brazil Louis dc Bourbon lighting I'M
der the name Of Louis dc Mercy"
Prince Bagration was captured. and
having refused To give his parole. was
held as a prisoner of war on the Is
land of st. Helena, along with General
Cronje, until the restoration OF peace.
The prince, 1t may be added, has noth-
ing but appreciation for the friendly
and courteous manner in which he
was treated BY the English authori-
tics at ST Helena, where. owing TO the
intervention in his behalf of the
widowed Czarina. he was the object
OF particular considera ton.
His fiancee, Princess Tatiana.is not
81 grand duchess. nor yet an Imperial
hiQhncGS. TenreSGnlS
generation In descent from the throne
| being the great -granddaughter Of Emf
peror Nicholas j., and according 10 the
laws Of Knssia, the i S',1. status
duchess, only extends to The third gen
Grafton. This being the case. and since
her frances family is regarded as one
ereign houses Of the Caucasus, there
can be no question of any such nesal-
lliance as took place when Nicholas
/; is favorite daughter. the Grand Ouch
ess Marie. married Count Nicholas
| Siroganof
| The princess is n very charming and
! gifted woman, who is just recover
/ ing from severe accident while out
sleifahine. and is pianist and paint 4
| fact. she has inherited some OF the
| gifts of her father. Grand Duke Con-
| stanbine Constantinovitch, translator
/ of Shakcspeare's works into Russian,
the protector and patron Of Cor
| XII; and whose poems. published under
tAe initials Of TX. k standing for
| "lSonsiantIne Konsta ntinovitch," are
popular throughout the length and
/ breadth OF Russia, on account Of their
! iicrvent patriotism and their liberal
THO young people seem to have mad G
! cacn others acquaintance at PawlowslS,
| the favotite res{dence OF Grand Duke