The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-19
ny la MARauIsE DE FoNrENoY.

n -nONp the rareSt WORKS contain
~ ed in few Of the royal and
Imperial libraries OF Europe. are
certain annual contributions from tho
Vatican. Each year the Pontin sends
to the Emperor OF Austria, to the
Kings OF Spain OF Belgium, and of
SaXony, as well as to the Regent OF
Bavaria. n volume. most art!stically'
bound in white vellum. and adorned
with the pont!fical arms In gold. con
tanning a Latin summary of the con-
hdential annual reports supplied to the
Holy Father by his nuncios, internun-
clos and delegates abroad The Latin
is OF the most exquisite purity: and
inasmuch as this practice has been ir
vogue for the last 800 years. and none
have received these books save Cath
Ollie sovereigns Of countries in which
Roman Catholicism is the state religion,
they are exceedingly rare. For even
nations. such as France. which have
abolished monarchical forms OF gov
ernmcnt. or broken with the Vatican
have nevertheless been keenly alive
to the value OF the volumes as liter
airy and historic treasures, and have
retained them such in the state
archives. or else in the national library
] learn. however. that the new repub-
lie in Lisbon. which is now engaged IN
converting into sorely needed cash
much OF the former crown property, Is
likewise endeevorinG to sell the coll
lection OF these papal reports. that be-
longed TO the former Kings OF Portu-
gal: and although there is likely to
be some heavy bidding on the part OF
the state Libraries of Germany, Of
Russia, and of the British Museum in
London. they would prove a remark
able accession to some public instItu.
ri hat ~
]. Pierpont Morgan. in the United
States. That is why / take this OPP
portunity of calling attention TO their
impending sale.
Emperor Nicholas has Just issued an
amendment to the family laws of the
house of Romanoff: the first change
since they were completely reorganized
by his father, Alexander Ill. in July.
1856. According to the statutes as
then decreed. 1t was provided that mar.
riaScs OF princes and princesses OF the
house OF Romanoff should be restricted
TO members of reign!ng dynasties, and
that all other matrimonial alliances
should be considered as of no account
In fact. Alexander III. instituted q
degree of exclusivism in matrimonial
letters that not even the Hapsburga
have ever dreamt Of enforcing.
The amendment just inaugurated by
Nicholas II. increases the range of con-
sorts for scions of the house of Roman
off. For 1t declares that the latter ara
no longer restricted in their choice to
reisning dynasties, but can from
henceforth select their helpmatcs from
among the dethroned sovereigns' fam
lilies, and even from the mediatized
houses OF the Central European nobili-
ty.
1t was necessary for the Car to
do this. in order TO enable the marriage
to take place OF Princess Tatjana
daughter of Grand Duke Constantine
to Prince Constantine Bagration, OF
the Chevalier Gardes regiment, and
who, member of the royal family that
formerly reigned over the kingdom OF
Georgia. can trace his descent in an
unbroken line from the biblical Kins
David.
Among the most useless things that
are presented to royalty are engrossec
and Illuminated addresses from public
bodies and institutions. 1t is doubtful
whether they are ever read by the
personages for whom they are intend
ed. If presented on some state oc-
casion. they are Immediately handed
by the more or less distinguished re-
cipient to an attendant; and that is the
last that he sees of them. In ninety
nine cases out of every hundred. he
does not see them at ALL Thus. when
King Edward died. the addresses of
coincidence to King George, and OF
wishes for the success of his reign,
numbered upwards of 10000. They
came not only from every municipali
ty. from every phHanthropic associa
tion.-E corporate body. public institu-
ton; and even mere clubs. in Great
Britain and ireland. but also from sim
liar bodies in the various colonies
In fact, 1t would have been almost
human impossibility for King George
to have read them ali. 1t is reported
that there are no less than $4,000 Of
them lying still unopened at the Home
Department in Downing Street, all
.hailjnE from different parts of Great