The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-03
ROBBERIES OF ROYAL
CROWNS VERY RARE

one OF the rings
Further search revealed In tn.
shrubbery where he had been crouch
ins bundle continuing the imperial
crown itself. and tho jewelled coronet
which the Brazilian Crown-Princess
had once worn on State occasions. The
burglar was afterwards ascertained TO
ne former servant OF the chateau.
named Louis Nteuten. who had decided
to tHrn his knowledge OF she interior
and fittings OF the place TO good ac-
count.
Attention has thus been drawn to
the owner ~ the endangered imperial
gems. namely the Countess d'Eu OK
crown-princess OF Brazil. and only
child OF the late Dom Pedro. Brazils
last Emperor. who vas detnroned in
1889
SiNty-six vars Of age. very tall and
Imposing. with large bright eyes. and
most unaffected in manner. the cx-
crown princess has inherited much of
nor fathers looks and characters. Like
him. she lives life of mingled
ststeiiness ana simplicity. Born at
Rio Jeneiro, and married there
in 1861 to Prince CASTOR. son of the
late Duo dc Nemours, and grandson
OF King Louis Philippe of France. she
repeatedly acted as Regent of Brazil
during her fathers absences In Europe
and tho United States, and II was as
such that it fell TO her lot 10 sign tho
decree abolishing for all time negro
slavery in his domniona
She was and remains a very forvent
and deTout Catholic. and as a friend
and warm supporter of the church.
earned the enmity OF the Radical and
Anti-clerical element in Brazil: but
since her fathers deposition and her
own exile. She has won tho respect
and regard Of Brazilisns of every class.
ny her refusal to take any stems for
the re-establshment of monarchy
there Her example in this respect has
oeen followed by her eldest son. Prince
Pierre. who being lame and morga
natically married to Countess Eliza
beth pebrzenski OF the Bohemian
aristocracy. has resigned his preten-
sions to tho throne of Brazil, In favor
Of his second brother Prince Louis
Tho lntter. recognized of chief of the
monarchical party in Brazil. Is tall.
strong. dashlng man. He holds com
mission as Captain OF IIussars in the
Austrian army, in which ne received
MS military training, and under the
name of Louis de Mercy, served under
the Boer fas during tho South Afri-
can var twelve years ago along with
the late Count de Villebois- AIareuil a
retired colonel of the French army. and
number OF other scions OF the old
French aristocracy. He spent nearly n
year in the United States. being cx-
tensiveiy entertained in all the cities
which he visited. has achieved great
note as a bold and successful Alpine
climber. is happily married to the
most handsome of the many daughters
OF Don Aiphonso OF Bourbon court OF
Caserta who is claimant to the
Neapolitan throne. Three years ago
ne made prolonged tour of Central
and South America. a sensation being
created by the sudden refusal OF the
Brizalian Government to permit him to
land at Rio. or to set foot on Brazil
ian soil
He has younger brother. Prince
Anthony also an officer OF tho Aus
trian Hussars, who unlike the two cid
or sons. was born. not at "Petrapolis."
but in Paris. under somewhat peculiar
circumstances. For when he was about
Ia come into the world, some two
months ahead of time. the crown
princess was conveyed in an ambu-
lance to the Brazilian Legation so that
he might SEQ the light on what was
legally Brazilian soil. His birth was
thus made to accord with the Brazil
ian law. which Insisted upon birth in
Brazil as an indispensable qualiiica-
tion FOR succession TO the throne.
The Chateau d'Eu. where the ex-
crown princess now spends the greater
part of the year, the early sprine
being passed at her large but unprs-
tentious villa at Boulogne- sur Seine.
not far from the Partisan race-course
OF Longchamps. formerly belonged TO
the Comte de Paris. and after him to
his eldest son the Due d'Orleans. who
leased II to his cousins. the Con;to and
Comtesse d'Eu; short time before it
was partly destroyed by fire. which
catastrophe took place IN 1902 1t has
been entirely restored now. and all
traces OF the coniag grafton have been
eHaced. Surrounded by a splendid and
extensive park. II occupies tho site OF
an ancient Norman castle that apper-
tanned In the eleventh century TO the
Dukes OF Normandy.
II was there that William the Con
queror entertained Harold. his rival
for the English throne. and that his
marriage to Matilda OF Flanders took
place. joan of-Arc was imprisoned
there in 1890. Louis XI dweit there
and burned II almost to the ground
In order to prevent it's falling into the
hands OF the English in l475. on the
foundations of this ancient fortress
ana around the two towers that vera
sun standing-ahout seventy-ivc years
| later the Duo de Guise. nicknmed.
lie Basaff.' erected the present gran
lite structure In the seventeenth cen
tury IT became the home of Made
moiselle de Montpensier. La Grande
Mademoiselle," who was passionatcIy
fond OF the place, and greatly enlarged
and beautned the park. Later on it
passed from the Due de pcnthievre
to his daughter. the Duchessc dor
leans, wife OF the wretcher Philippe
Esalite. and mother OF King Louis
Philippe. Conhscated by the Revolu-
tionary government in 1875. 1t was
converted into hospital. and worse
still, 1t was used by the First Napo-
leon as an imperial residence. on the
Restoration 1t was restored to the Or
loans family. in The person OF I.ouis-