The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-31
Prince George William, of Cum
berland Killed in Auto
Accident.
BY LA MARaU1sE DE FcNTENoY.

By LA MARQUIsE DE FeNTENoY.
TN THESE days OF scientific investi-
cation It seems like an anachronism
And yet the terrible death OF young
Prince George William of Cumberland.
Killed In an automobile accident while
speeding through Prussia to attend the
funeral of his maternal uncle. King
Frederick VIII. of Denmark. Is but
one more proof that the curse which
has overshadowed the Cumberland fam
lily for many long years Is still fairly
active.
1t will b. remembered that when
Queen Victoria assembled the throne
of Great Britain and ireland, a sepa-
ration from the Kingdom of Hanover.
10 which until that time 1t had been
united, took place, since the Salic law.
debarring women from succession. pre-
vailed in Hanover:
of England. he was followed upon the
brother Ernest. fifth son of George
Ill
Duke Ernest. who had until then
borne the title of Duke Of Cumber-
land, was without exception the most
execrated member of the English reign
ing family: and that for more rea-
sons than one. since ne was In no way
recommendable character.
Moreover. that he had blood on his
hands cannot be houbGed, although
TO this day the murder of which he
W do iCCuSeO. ana which DTOuKnt GOWN
the curse upon him ana his house,
has never been absolutely fastened up
on him.
At the time I am speaking of. Duke
Ernest OF Cumberland had in mis- SER
vice young valet named Senlis. who
one morning was discovered lying
naked In his room. adjoining his royal
masters sleeping and dressing rooms.
pleresd Though and through by a
duke. Gouts of blood formed CHASTITY
trek from Senlis's cabinet to the
dukes own apartments. and as 1t was
ascertained absolutely that no strang-
sr had been near that part Of the pal
berland FOUND himself in a terrible
position.
When questioned, he denied all know
ledge OF the affair saying however.
his assassin must have taken place In
the dressing groom opening into his
own sleeping chamber.
The Kings coroner, a member of the
royal household, hastily impaneled a
jury. chosen from among the royal
tradesmen, who returned the amazing
verdict that SenIis had committed sui
eide. 1t was loudly asserted that he
had seen one of the countless ghosts
of murdered persons well known to
haunt St. James's Palace, and had in
a sudden attack of madness taken his
own life.
In one word, the matter was more
or less hushed OPP. But unpleasant
rumors continued TO be whispered from
mouth to mouth. and finally 1t was
said that Senlis had been killed
by his master because he was in pos.
session of some Shameful secret direct
ly affecting this most evil of all Que,n
Nictoria's uncles.
All this might have been forgotten
had 1t not been for an incident which
occurred little later in St James's
street. Duke Ernest Of Cnpo har a M
was slowly walking towards his resi-
dence when IL woman, evidently n for
eigner, and with her snow white hair
and a portion OF her almost unwrin-
Killed. face covered by the loose folds
OF black shawl. suddenly stood in
his path. shrieking at him a flood of
accusation and denunciation, and cry
ing aloud that he was the murderer
of her fatherless son.
The crowd that quickly gathered, as
II always does on such occasions, saw
the tall royal prince cringing before
the little woman in black, his face
gray as ashes, his eyes half closed.
and his hands extended before him, as
in self-protection or entreaty. Just
then also the police arrived Just late
enough to hear her utter the curse
which still lies so heavily on the Cum
bcrlands. For Senlis's widowed mother
WIS calling down upon the duke, upon
his children. and his childrens child
rem, to the third. fourth and fifth gem
erations, the most bitter revenge Hea-
ven could wreak upon them.
She was seized with belated zeal by