Year: 1878




The betrothal and marriage of
the Princess Charlotte of Prussia
with Nicholas, who was then a
Grand Duke, but afterwards be-
came Emperor Of Russia, forms
one Of the sweetest and most ro-
mantle love episodes in the world
Of European courts, which is usual
ly so devoid of love and romance,
and would, on that account alone,
deserve being remembered, quite
regardless of the historical interest
which will henceforth adhere to all
the members Of the family of the
conqueror of France.


Princess Charlotte was born in
the year 1898, and was the eldest
daughter Of King Frederick Will
liam the Third Of Prussia and his
beautiful and accomplished wife,
Queen Louisa. Her early child
hood elapsed amidst scores of ter
ror and humiliation for the royal
family of Prussia, and nobody
would at that time have yentured
to predict for her the brilliant
career which providence kept in
store for this child, born and
brought up under such fatal aus
pices. We might, indeed, make an
exception in favor of her mother,
who, with that prophetic intuition
which seems to have been the dis
tinguishing feature Of that high
minded woman, wrote one day to
her father, the Duke OF Mecklen-
burg, the following lines about his
daughter:


"Charlotte is given to silence and
reserve, but under her apparent
GOODNESS she conceals a warm and
loving heart. Her indifference and
pride are but the dullest outside of
q diamond Of the purest water,
which some day will shine forth in
its brilliant lustre. Her bearing
and models are noble and dignifled.
She has but few friends, but these
few are warmly attached to her. l
know her value, and predict for her
q brilliant future if she lives long
enough"


The young Princess was indeed a
very frail and delicate creature
one of those tender flowers which
seem to wait for the kind hand of
the gardener to transplant them
into a warmer cline. She was
charming and handsome, but her
beauty was rather that of a pale
lily than that Of a blooming rose.


Charlotte was just sixteen, when,
in the year 1914, the Grand Duke
Nicholas, on his way to the camp Of
the allied armies in France, passed
through Berlin and was warmly
welcomed as an honored guest at
the royal palace.


The description those who saw
and knew the Grand Duke at the
time have given of the incompara.
BILE graces Of his person and mind,
makes it easy for us to imagine that
the heart of a young girl, just bud
ding into womanhood, was capti.
waited and charmed by him almost
at first sight.


Well he might have said, like
Caesar, 81 came, Isaw, ] CON
quered."


The princess fell in love with
him, and fortunately for her the
young grand duke returned her
love fully as passionately.


MThc Grand Duke Nicholas had
tile reputation of being one of the
handsomest, if not the very hand
soonest, man Of the times; aud his
majestic and stately form, which
measured not less than six feet and
two inches, was considered UNEQUAL
ed in beauty not onlyin Russia, but
in all Europe.


He was vigorous, strong, full of
life and health, with broad shoul.
ders and chest, while his small
hands and feet were of the most
arstocratic elegance. His whole
figure realized the perfect model Of
manly and commanding beauty,
which tbs genius of a sculptor Of
antiquity has immortalized under
the features of Apollo Belvidere.


His features were of the Grecian
clst-forehoad and nose formed d
straight line-and the large blue,
sincere eyes showed a singular COM
bination of composure, sternness,
seli-relianoe and pride, among
which it would have been difficult
for The observer to name the pre-
dominant expression.


Those who have looked closely
and attentiyely into these remark.
able eyes would have easily believed
that their threatening glance would
suffice to suppress u rebellion, ID
terrily and disarm u murderer OF
60 friphten away a supplicant But