The Washington herald., 1912-02-26
ANOTHER UNHAPPY
FOREIGN MARRIAGE

1(lon VI Vic vi Tic NtAs 0e~~---I -
snaent Italian nobiiity-apparentiy a
pure love match-the future path OF the
handsome young couple seemed bright
and cioudIess. indeed. But already there
are rumors ahoat at Rome OF serious
differences between the pair.
Miss Chaplin. as the daughter Of the
first wife Of her father IA Miss Gflberp,
and an heiress in her own right. took
little interest in the family affairs of
herl stepmother and stepsisters. She de-
parted for Europe as soon as she had
attained her majority, taking compan-
ion with her to be duly chaperoned, and
took up her residence at Paris. IL was
there that she FIRST met her future hus-
band. in the gay. II exclusive, circles
OF the Faubourg st. Germain.
The young prince bears one Of the
proudest names Of Italy. where his an
cestors. the Gaeianis. have been large
landowners ever since the tenth cen
tury. The founder of the house was
COnstantinus Cagetanus, whose son ae-
quired big property ''in the land OF the
Caetae." A search OF the pedigree Of
the family reveals the fact that a scion
OF that house occupied the chair of 81.
Peter as Pope Gelasius ii .Qil5). AS a
matter of fact the family has been iden-
titled with leading eyents in Italy for
almost a thousand years. and II Is small
wonder that the Gaetsni Palace at Rome
Is teeming with historic relics.
But they were not always princes. the
sons of the house OF Gaetani. despite
their prominence In. Italian affairs,
though their name always has been en-
rolled in the lists of, the herald''y ONCE
of the Quirinal. fer IL was only decade
or so ago that King Victor Emmanuel
made the Francisco Gaetani a prince Of
Bassanio. while his elder brother Leo.
was created Prince of Teano. owing to
his distinction as a man Of letters and
in science.
The father Of these new princes Is The
Duca di Sermoneta, noted italian
statesman and arehaeologist. who resides
at the castle OF Fogliona, near the
rock hound lake of that name. He Is
very wealthy and Francesca did not ap-
pear TO have welded Miss Chaplin for her
American dollars. for he also has a
large income in his own right. Besides
he is a talented composer and has achiev-
ed great success in Florence and Milan.
AS his bride also is very musical and
artistic in her tastes. IL was predicted
that they would be an exceptionally
happy pair. But they are not. II seems
and in this respect they are not unlike
great many other couples who were
brought together by a kindred feeling for
the MUSES..
take ii that the young and fiery
Southern husband Is not broadmfnded
enough to understand and make allow
ances for the independent Anglo-Saxon
spirit and point OF view of his handsome
American wife. have had my misgiv-
ings when, last autumn. I recorded the
nuptial ceremonies Only a small per-
centage OF Italo-American alliances have
turned out we'll. There are bound to be
too many mutual misunderstandings.
When. some fifty years ago. the Eng
lish discovered the Cote dAzur. then
reached by means Of a diligence from
MarseiIles. they established a custom
that lasted long time. II was TO arrive
there in October. hive zen familie" in a
villa hidden snugIy in the foothills OF
the Alps among orange trees. mimosas.
and roses-such roses,-and TO remain
until April, when the violets spread their
perfumed tapestry over the landscape
Those were the happy days when people
went there to enjoy the pure air and the
sunshine
The best known and last adherents TO
this patriarchal custom were the late
Queen Victoria, who resided successfully
at Mentone. Gracre, and Cimiez CNice) /:
Lord Brougham. the creator OF Cannes.
and LORD Salisbury, whose villa nestled
among the olive trees OF Beaulieu.
To-day fast trains have brought the
Cote d'Azur 20 within a few hours
travel from the north of Europe. Luxuri-
Gus casinos with ever-multiplying at
fractions, sports. the thousands OF auto
mobiles which uninterruptedly spin along
the recently opened Ia Petite Corniche''
between Monais and Mccall this has
transformed completely the former as
pect of the Cote d'Azur," whittier are
focking the elite of the nations from
either side Of the Atlantic.
In order TO satisfy this vast army of
visitors, which increases every year. the
resorts on the coast Of the Riviera vie
with one another in initiative and in
adding to their sports, as well as TO their
| artistic and thespian attractions. Monte
| Carlo quite naturally Is at the head of
this endeavor and her gardens, her res
taurants. the sumptuously decorated sa-
Ions OF the Casino. and her theater are
the greatly admired meeting places of
the tourists at the Cote d'Azur.
The attention of the visitors to Monte
Carlo at present is divided between golf
and pigeon shooting. Some two hundred
competitors are taking part in the latter
| event for the Grand Prix de Monte
| Carlo" this month.
Orange trees have been In bloom since
Christmas time, and the mild and lovely
weather is being used TO the best ad-
| vantage by golf enthusiasts, who fire.
quent the links laid out on a plateau 500
meters above sea level from which may
be seen the whole panorama OF the sup
erb coast sheltered from the raw north
wind by the distant snowcapped peaks
| of the Alps.
There is a peculiarly sad and helpless
little army Of ladies and gentlemen living
| in semi-starved gentility in the attics OF
| London tenements in so-caIled mean
streets and forsaken squares that still
tell of former grandeur; impoverished
Eentlefolk who suffer rather than beg
children of rich and noble houses. WHOSE
| fathers spent their substance in riotous
living, leaving them nothing but an empty
title or a name that is entitled TO a place
among Burke's peerage, or baronetage
or knightsge records.
| For some fourteen years the Dis
tressed Gentlefolks' Aid Association ha:
been carrying on quiet but systematic
| work in affording relief to these abso.
lutely helpless beings. Admiral Free
mantle, the present chairman Of the
active aid committee. followed the late
Col. Knollys, father of King Georges first
secretary, IN that capacity. The King
Queen Mary. and Queen Alexandra are
\ patrons of the society. and the latter
has been more than usual soiicitous foi
| the comfort Of these deserving unfortu-
/ mates during the present inclement sea.