Evening star., 1933-10-29

second but who killd the first" But.
then, the Bard of Avon said many
other things that are not true Indeed.
j many of notable and celebrated
men and women have taken q second
husband or wife, and, occasionally even q third,
without breaking the sixth commandment.
Mrs Washington, after the death OF Daniel
Parke Gusts married Gen. George Washington,
cur first President, and proved the ideal vile TO
both husbands. Her first husband died at the
age Of about 80 years, and when washington
led her to the altar she brought to him
considerable estate, left her by her flrst nus
band, consisting of real and personal property,
one item alone being $4,000 sterling, the certi-
ficates for which, on the Bank OF England, she
kept in iron chest, which may be seen in
the Washington collection In the United States
National Museum.
Perhaps one Of the most charming romances
that ever developed IN this city, one which
continued until death do part" when the
widow in the case later remarked, was that
involving the lives Of the Baron Alexander de
Bodisco and Harriet Beall Williams He was
the Russian Minister to the United States; she,
the daughter of Brooke Williams then chief
clerk of the adjutant generals Office and one
Of the handsOmeSt girls In old Georgetown,
when the West End was a separate municipality
and John Cox mayor. She was tall prob
ably had sandy reddish hair, and an adorable
Getracted from. She was sweet Is, ne was 30
plus-just how many plus the writer cannot say
IN love affairs particularly, the want of good
] looks subjects the homey individual to a
big handicap; and from this standpoint at least
if all reports are true, the baron would naturally
have had much ground to cover before catching
up with classy field. 1t is said he was Old
ugly and stout; had a broad Kalmuck face
much wrinkled prominent eyebrows and shaggy
Whiskers, and wore a wig to hide his bald pate.
But he fascinating, captivating, and a
lover to the nature born, and one of the
brainest diplomats ever sent to this country
He was fond Of young company-especialy
of Miss Williams-and frequently found it
agreeable to escort her to school. He proposed;
she accepted. Pa and Ma Williams did not
approve of the idea, and offered, principal
objections, her youth, his looks and his age.
But love won out and in May, 1841, they were
joined in lawful wedlock at the home of the
brides father, amid splendor such as never
had been seen here before, and, perhaps, seldom
since. The bridesmaids were selected from the
younger set, to harmonic with the age Of the
bride, and the same consideration was given
in selecting the men who took prominent part
at the wedding.
Jessie Benton, aged IA, later Mrs. John G.
Fremont. who served as bridesmaid, was paired
President Of the United States. The Chevalier
de Martini, minister from The Hague, accom-
panied the lovely 16-year-old daughter Of Com
modore Morris, and the British minister, Henry
Stephen Fox, another of the groomsmen, was
also in attendance respondent in a court suit
Of scarlet and gold. The brides dress was made
of white satin and silver lace, fashioned after
the costume Of a Russian bride; the low-cut
dress showing the perfection of her lovely
white shoulders and neck. A coronet of red
velvet, blazing with diamonds, rested upon her
hair. The bridegroom wore his court dress Of
velvet and lace
D EFERRING to this couple, Anne Hollings-
N worth Wharton, in writing Of a New Year
reception in this city in 1853-probaby at the
White House-says: Mime. Bodisco, the Amer
ican wife of the aged Russian minister. He
was past 10 and she was 49, He married her
when she was 16. She was very beautiful, not
at all firtatious unhappy, and was the
mother of seven boys"
Indeed, this proved to be q wonderful love
affair, and he of the most generous Of
husbands record, for prior to his death,
he urged his wife to remarry when he had