Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

NHLNE are some privileges that
very Few people enjoy, and
felt that I was one among the
privileged few when I stood
the other afternoon on one of the ter
races at marlborough Hill and watch
ed in the near distance a little group
that included the ninety four-year-o
ex-Empress Eugene, her niece, Nine.
dEtainville. the Count De Maura "a
Spanish grandee) and DR.. Hugo
Schmidt. famous physician from AL
SAGE. whose grandfather was in the
days of the second empire, chef at the
Tuilleries to the Emperor Napoleon
III, and his consort. the Empress Eu-
genie.
In those days Hugo was a tiny boy.
who greatly amused the beautiful en-
press by his prettiness and his quaint
ways. She took fancy to him and
settled sum of money upon him to be
used for his education. After the ter
rible troubles Of the revolution when
the emperor and empress were both
put away from their high estate, the
little Hugo was sent to q school.
where he developed amazingly. and in
due time went to the Sorbonne, and
then to other universities in Italy.
Germany and England. At all Of these
he took degrees. and he is now one of
the most famous surgeons in France.
He Is stopping during hiA usual annual
with the aged ex-empress, to
whom he il fondly devoted. at Farm
borough Hill. and it was at this in
formal little gathering that I hap
pened to be present.
As I have told you before. the en-
press throughout all the years Of the
war has maintained at her own pri-
vate expense this wonderful little hos
pital in her own house in Hampshire.
The mansion. which Is q long. low
lying. irregular building. stands on
the remnant of hill overlook
ing the lovely wooded landscape
and the towers and flying but
Of st. Michaefs Abbey and
whore lie the mortal re-
mains Of Napoleon III and the adored
SON. the prince imperial. I was having
lea with one Of the young officers, who
Is . patient at this most delightful
and luxurious hospital. and as we
strolled along . wooded path he told
me stories Of the empress kindness
and personal interest in an the pa
tents who are privileged to be nursed
back to health beneath her roof. He
Is very proud Of the fact that she has
presented him with signed photo
graph Of herself. He showed me the
picture with the name "Eusenie" writ
ZEN In a marvelously Arm hand across
he margin.
Except snapshots" he told me. this
IS the last photograph for which the
empress ever posed. 1t was taken
nearly thirty years ago. and it seems
wonderful to reject that I was not
born or thought Of when it was taken.
Ind even then she was nearly seventy
rears Of ags!"
And stood looking at that wonder
'ul group beneath the trees and TO-
,ussed my eye on the small black-elad
ixure seated in straight backed
,hair with q crutch handled ebony
stick held In one hand. A soft black
,eil blew back occasionally so that I
.ould just catch a glimpse of an ivory
,rofile and q strand of silver white
hair, and It seemed miraculous to re-
member the volume Of history that
little woman represents.
After q while we strolled down
leafy path to the Empress Museum,
sacred spot to which very few out
siders are admitted. The museum
adjoins the pretty house of its GUS
todian, one of the empress faithful
retainers, called Attenborough. whose
only duty it Is to watch over the
priceless treasures contained within
the doors Of the lofty hall that Is
paneled In oak brought over from
France many years ago. In this won