Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-04
FRANCES EX-EMPRESS
PATHETIC IN OLD ACE
Eugene de Montjo, Consort of Third
Napoleon-Her Meteoric Career-Sec.
ond Empires Evil Genius Now Old
and Forsaken.
C. b. u.


diers came as a surprise to many Of the
present generation. Having heard little. dur.
ing the last 40 years, Of this woman whosa
beauty and meteoric life were once the senss
tion of Europe they had carelessly supposed
that she had passed away with the empire IN
1870.
Only IL more years are needed to complete
the century since Eugene Marie de Months
was born at Granada, in SPAIN In 1875
Even in childhood she had conceived a 70.
mantle admiration for the young Prince
Louis Napoleon, and because of her fathers
stanch adherence to Napoleon Bonaparte, she
felt much interested in the mlsfortunes OF
the Prince at Strnsburg and Boulogne.
As she bloomed into lovely young woman.
hood, Louis Napoleon matured more sue.
cessfully his plans for gaining hold on the
French people. In 1S4S he was elected Presls
dent of the French Republic. Three years
later he perpetrated third coup d'etat, "a
brilliant in its success that 1t competeIv
effaced the ignominous, grotesque attempts
of his youth. In 1852 seven million voters
(nearly the entire vote of Franco proclaimed
him Emperor with the title of Napoleon III
For some time he had greatly admired
Mademoiselle de Montiio, the reigning beauty
of Paris. She was a superb horsewoman
and, as riding was the Emperor's especial
personal accomplishment, they were much
thrown together. This naturally caused
much comment, oftentimes most unkind
criticism. One New Years eve Qs53), at
ball given by the Emperor at the Tuilerles
the wife of a Cabinet Minister was rude and
insulting to Eugene. When the Emperor
heard of it he said to the young Spanish
beauty, who was looking greatly troubled:
Tomorrow no one will dare to insult YOU
The following morning Madame de Montljo
received letter from the Emperor formally
requesting her daughters hand. In less
than a month Eugenie de Montljo was
Empress of France.
The Emperors Justification
In his official announcement of his INTENDED
marriage, Napoleon II justified his choice In
the following adroit manner: when in the
face of ancient Europe, one is carried by the
force of new principle to the level OF the
old dynasties, 1t Is not by affecting an
ancient descent and endeavoring to enter the
family of kings that one compels recognl.
tion. It is rather by remembering one's
origin. 1t is by preserving ones own charac-
ter and assuming frankly toward Europe
the position of a parvenu, glorious title
when one rises by the suffrages Of a great
people. My marriage, therefore, is only q
private matter She who has become the OBJ
ject of my choice Is of lofty birth, French
in heart and education and by the memory ol
the blood shed by her father in the cause Of
the Empire. She has, as n Spaniard, the
advantage of not having a family in France
to whom it would be necessary to give honoIs
and dignities Gifted with every quality oi
the heart. she will be the ornament of TIE
throne, as in the hour of danger she woald
be one of it's most courageous defenders
That his reasoning was sound was proved
by the almost universal approval of ha
choice throughout Europe.
When our own Washington Irving heard Of
the marriage, In greatest astonshment hs
wrote in his diary: Louis Napoleon and Eu-
genie de Montijo Emperor and Empress q
France! He whom received as an exile q
my cottage on the Hudson, she whom q
Grenada have dandled on my knee!"
When a son was born to her three years
after the marriage the Bonaparte family was
swept to the topmost wave of popularity
The Crmean War had virtually come 70
triumphant end, and a general amnesty va
issued to all political offenders. The Emperor
became godfather and Eugene godmothsr @
all legitimate children born in France upon
their sons birthday; and after the puphe
baptism of the little heir-apparent at NOUS
Dame ball of unusual brllliancy was given
by the city of Paris to the mother OF me
little Prince Imperial
The next 13 years of Eugene's life was
succession OF romantic and brilliant pageans
visits made and exchanged with Victefie
and other crowned heads of Europe-the m
umphant glory Of the openings Of the gfeas
Expostions-the grand military reviews =
honor OF the Emperor of Russia--eulmlnAI'
ing with the international opening OF lns
canal across the Isthmus Of suez, The WOis
Of that most remarkable French engineer
Ferdinand de Lesseps.
The Empress Beauty
AS the Emperor could not attend wills ~
war clouds were thickening over Francs 'a
Empress Eugene graced the occasion WIZ
beauty undimmed, dressed in the fauit'sase
striking good taste for which she vas
noted. In the famous Leghorn hat, she -
on camel to the Eastern fetes on the
OF the Emperor Francis Joseph she attspas
the religious ceremonies attending the oe7
ing OF the canal, when the Cross ana -
cent for the first time oyershadoWed -
shippers joining in one common prayer e
al the ball given by the Khedive OF hzss
in his new palace she was the modern
patra, resplendent in amber satin ana =
monds. While the Eastern potentates
shocked that woman should appear 50
them unveiled her gracious presence -.
theless. raised the spirit OF chiYalry ana =
dued the spirit OF strife. enmity and insts
among rival powers and races.
Il Is hard 20 realize that ten months
she was hurrying, a fugitive. TO England
escape. as Is we'll known being due e
shreWd protection OF our Doctor Evans.
in his own carriage. conveyed her safsiy e
Of Paris as a patient of unsound mind.
passage aoross the Channel was 30 sf9s
that gallant vessels were ahtPwrecksa
around them. Had their craft also sunk
tory would have remained unchanged