New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-24

THE LAST STUART QUEEN: Louise,
Countess Of Albany: Her Life and Let
tiers BY Herbert ~ Vaughan, F. s. A.
illustrated. Svo. PIP. $50. Brentanos.
hanging about the story Of the unfortu-
nate House OF Stuart, though, truth to
tell, its sons when coldly contemplated
seem n sorry company. The last Or
them was, no doubt. as the Young Chew
aler, a fascinating figure for an histori-
cal novel, and being whom his UNI
lucky adherents considered worth DYING
for-but in later days what poor Great
ure was this Charles Edward! II was
in those days that the flabby, fsh-eyed.
elderly gentleman of disreputable habits
led TO the altar. in little Italian hi'l
town. that very pretty girl of nineteen.
Louise MaXimilienne Caroline Emman-
uele, Princess of Stolberg- Gedern. To
this lady-who was never. by the way.
queen, except TO the fanatics Of the
White Rose-Mr Vaughan devotes an
unnecessarily bulky book. 1t is another
Of the many current biographies whicn
largely depend for effect on flavor Of
scandal; the greater part of it is given
over 10 the sentimental life. together
with Louise and her poet lover. Nittorio
Alfierl 1t Is not very edifyng tale.
So far as long descent went Louise
was true fairy princess and n poverty
stricken one. Her father. Prince Gus
tave Adolphe of Stolbcrg Gedern, was
brave soldier, who died in battle as the
commander OF one OF Empress Maria
Teresa's regiments when his eldest
daughter. Louise, was only five years
old. Her mother, who was a princess
owning as may quarterings as her has
band had 10 depend on the bounty OF
the Empress. but managed to lead a lie
Of frivolous amusement and 10 marry o.;
three OF her girls more or less prosper
ously. There is nothing 20 show ihat
Louise for one, objected to her mar
rage; tho biOgrapher goes so far rs ~
say that she was "supremely happy:
Her husbands royal rank appealed TO her
sense of pride lis marked attention 10 her
sense Of gratitude, she was leaving a
mOthcr whom she cordially dglhod ana
about to settle in r country which sne ar
IDENTIFY long,d to behold. In spite or her
lords bCtChod and puffy face. iV spite even
OF an odor Of brandy which was percepublc
Notwithstanding all the initiating per
fumc, 1T does not appear that Louise was
seized with any immediate feeling or repui-
sion. on the contrary, she rather Nkcd ulH
splcndidly dressed middlc-aged prince WIN
lis broad blue ribhand and his agreeable
stories OF past adventure. An intense tuTlli
OF personal Importance must als" nave pos
scsscd her rs she. Louise ~ Stolb"rg. had
been h!dden 10 inscrlhe her name IN inc
marriage register AS Queen OF Great
Britain. France and Ireland whilst fne
gathered from her attentive husbands re-
marks that she might expect 20 be received
with regal honors In Rome.
As for the so-called Queen, what little
queen could he moro winning? pair
Of sparkling black eyes shone from under
mass Of beautiful blond hair Her
complexion was daintily pink and white.
she was slender and graceful and had
taste for literature and art When tho
pair arrived in Rome she was warmly
greeted and heartily admired. But her
dreams OF regal state promptly fed; the
pompous Pretcndcr could not be taken
seriously ms n monarch either by tho
Papal court or Roman society. Louise
nevertheless was nappN. fne lONeu Nein't
her "favCrlte Of all the places In this
world" she had many fattcrlng friends,
and Charles. FOR a year or two nj least.
was gentle and indulGcnt. He had moro
or less absorbing occupation in his ef
forts 10 be officially recognized as King
in Rome. and he hoped for n Prince Of
Wales whose appearance would undoubt
edly Increase his political importance.
Louise had no child; tho Pope would not
give him royal honors. Ever more sour
and dour grew the Chevalier de ST.
George, and presently deserving Rome,
he carried his young wife off to Flor
ence
There knowing that his claims OF roy
atty would have no effect upon the grand
duke, Charles adopted the style OF Count
OF Albany, and It was as Countess OF
Albany that Louise was thereafter
known 10 the world. The imitation Of
court was maintained by the Pretender
within tho walls OF his palace, and his
queens social experiences were thereby
much restricted. She accepted tho stu