The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-07-12

The former empress was "a years
old During the war she worked hard
for the victory of the allies. The
struggle found her in splendid home
at Marlborough Hill, in Hampshire,
England. Early in the conflict she
gave up her quiet and secluded life
there, so that her home could be trans
ferred into a hospital for wounded
British officers. Despite her advanced
age she assumed entire direction of
the place and devoted herself to aid
ing the wounded men.
While the war was in progress she
had said she hoped TO live to see the
Germans driven from France. After
half century of seemingly hopeless
waiting she lived to see the PrussianS
humbled. and is said to have found
cOntentment in her knowledge of their
humiliation through the peace of Yer
sailleS. The once internationally not
ed beauty had become a withered and
wrinkled woman, but the love of
France still animated her
Eugene was born in Granada,
Spain, in 1926 Her father, Count de
Montiio, was of a noble Spanish fam
lily, while her mother was of Scotch
extraction, her maiden name being
Kirkpatrick Her maternal grand
father was William kirkpatrick, an
American citizen.
In their frequent Journeys to AL
derShdt to review troops during the
war, King George and Queen Mary
often called upon the former empress
of France, at Marlborough Hill.
For forty-four years Eugene has a
varied and picturesque life. AS
Spanish countess. she travelled through
Europe and visited the French court.
Later she became the wife of NapO-
leon III She had one son, Prince Ma
noleOn.
All of the glory, SplendOr, tragedy.
and love of her life was destined to
hang upon the slender thread of
chance meeting with this emperor of
France. Touring Europe with her
sister, the beautiful Eugene was seen
by the emperor at a ball in Paris.
"Who is she?" he asked of the Prin-
cess Natilde, the hostess.
"A rhadamoiselle de Montifo, a for
eigner A newcomer from Andalusia."
Il want to be introduced said Ma
poleen.
For several days the emperor sought
her company. Walking in the imperial
gardens one day, he asked his fair
companion, as If TO make converse
ton, if she had ever been in love.
q should deceive you SIR the girl
replied, eff l did not confess that my
heart has been touched, and more
than once, but have never forgotten
hat 1 am Mile de Montijo."
"Then," said the emperor, "you
shall become empress"
Stepping to the hedge, he broke
wreath of green and placed it upon
her head. "a temporary crown until
the other is prepared" he said.
Forthwith the emperor forwarded
request for her hand to her mother,
and on January %, 1858, they were
married, within two months of their
first meeting.
In brief time Eugene became be-
loved by her people When she and
her mother made their home In
France, the imperial court took on a
new splendor. She had been close
enough to the common people before
her marriage to know their sufferings
and sorrows.
Eugenie's court became the most
ispe ctacular in Europe. On every side
were evidences of the most lavish eX-
penditures.
Then in a day the whole structure
of imperial eminance collapsed. The
other half of her life was mournful,
so much so that Eugene had said: Il
wish l had passed when the shadowy
fabric of my dreams fell apart"
That day of disaster was September
4. 1870, when she and all Paris heard
of the defeat and capture of Napoleon
at Sedan. The empress was popularity
accused of bringing on that disas-
trous war with Prussia. Historians
have since declared that there is lit
tie to support such charges, but the
riotous mobs of Paris, shouting for
the new republic which the deputies
proclaimed, stormed the palace Of the
Huilleries and howled imprecations
upon Eugenie's head until the empress
became convinced her life was in
peril. She escaped to England.
But exile was not enough. The fall
IF the empire was followed by the
death of the exiled Emperor Napoleon
III, in England three years later, and
the killing of his only son, the prince
imperial, while in battle with the Eng
a. 20 1n1l1