The Washington times., 1920-07-12

ton that the sum be devoted TO the
founding OF a charitable institution.
This bit OF self-sscrifice went far TO
inEratiate her with her subjects. The
frst good impression was deepened
by her. many unostentatious charities
TO the poor of Paris.
Three years elapsed between the
Emperor's marriage and the birth OF
his only child. The event was
anxiously awaited. not, only at the
Tuiieries, but. all over France. On
the morning OF March is. 1856, the
booming OF cannon told Paris that
child had been born to Napoleon III.
The Io1st report defined the sex of the
new arrival. and the waiting popu-
lace cheered wildly at the knowledge
that France had at length a prince
imperial, the first to bear the title,
for the unfortunate son OF Napoleon
] was styled the Kings of Rome. The
christening services at Notre Dame
extended over several days. The babe
was named Napoleon Eugene Louis.
FAMILY BROILs.
with the birth of this child troubles
arose between Eugene and the Bona
parte family. She was jealous and
suspicious of all possible prctcnders
TO the succession. These family broils
at the end of "A few. years sliepated
nearly all her husbands friends. But
the Empress still reigned supreme
over the hearts OF the Parisian' popu-
lace. Whenever she appeared in pup-
lie shhe was received with an en-
thusiasm that far surpassed the fee
bier welcome accorded 10 her nus
band At this time she set. of her
- l. Ir tr,e NIL q
elegance and taste that her costumes
became the models for womankind In
all parts of the world.
She took a kcen interest in politi-
cal matters and greatly annoyed the
Emperors) ministers by insisting on
being present at the state councils.
She was three times appointed regent
in 1859. during the Italian war In
1865. and when the Emperor started
on the last disastrous expedition
which ended at Sedan.
As a pious Catholic she was de-
voted supporter OF the Vatican. To
her influence much OF the policy OF
the French Emperor toward Italy. has
been attributed. The Pope and the
ultramontanes generally courted her.
But the treatment she received from
the royal families of Europe was
wounding to her own pride and to
that of her people. as --.
From the first days OF her marriage
She vainly sought to obtain recogni-
tion at the hands OF her royal and i'm
perial. sisters. She lavished on them
invitations which were never accept
ed. and paid them visits which were
never returned. Only with the Brit
ish court were her relations at all
cordial. She had won over the prince
consort on the occasion of her stay
at Windsor in 1854; then Albert and
queen Victoria had repaid the visit
Just before tho birth OF the prince
imperial. and the kindly mutual feel
ing remained intact to the end.
Little is known of Eugenie's life in
the interval between the declaration
of war against Prussia in 1870 ana
the disaster at Sedan. She was sur
rounded by a clerical coterie who
kept all her religious preJudices
ierccly aslow. and who. having large
ly assisted in provoking the war,
taught her to regard the struggle as a
question of the life and death of the
church. So occupied was she with
ultra-montane theories and complaints
that the crisis which occurred on the
capture OF the Emperor found her ut
terly unprcpared for its terrible reali-
ties. ..
The story of her flight from the
Iuileries Is the most dramatic episode
IN her history. The first vague news
OF the Emperor's capitulation had
reached Paris on September J. Up to
noon 81 the next day there was no
popular disturbance. Then crowds
began to overflow into tho gardens Of
the Tuileries and roll toward the pal.
ancc in long, slow streams. Not yet
was the crowd stormy or turbulent,
but it's quiet strength wss irresistible.
FLIGHT FROM THE TUILERIEs.
At twenty minutes past . Signor
Nigra. the Italian ambassador, came
to warn her that her life was in
danger II was time to fly. She bade
a hurried adeu to her friends, most
OF whom. men as we'll as women, were
dissolved in tears. Then. in company
with her devoted attendant, Nine.
Lebreton, and escorted by Signor
Nigrs. Prince Metternich and Ferdi-
nand de Lesseps, she descended TO the
eastern gate OF the Louvre, where a
cab was In waiting.
She was driven frat to the resi-
dence of DIR. Evans, an American dem
tist, whom she had befriended. At g
o'clock in the evening she took the
train, accompanied by Nine. Lebreton
DR.. Evans and his nephew, and on
September reached the seaport town
OF Deauville by a roundabout way
through Belgium.
This is the official story. Another