ANOTHER ROMANCE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10884, 15 October 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANOTHER ROMANCE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

There is much discussion in the States i„"t now over the death of Lieutenant. Jules n or( i Certain authorities have it that when he foil before Santiago, fighting with the American army, there died the rightful heir of a king of England. His grandfather, it is said, was the son of George I\ . and Mrs. Fitzherbert, his lawful wife. There was no more beautiful woman in I'l rone than Mrs. Fitzherbert, and she was a very good woman as well As the Prince of Wales, George fell madly in love with her but she repulsed his advances. Her coldness made the young man frantic and doubled his infatuation. Lord Onslow one day summoned Mrs. Fitzherbert to the residence of the Prince, giving his assurance that only her presence could save the young .Hi's life. Onslow said that the heir apmrcnt had deliberately stabbed himself because of his love for Mrs. Fitzherbert, The latter consented to go to the Prince upon the condition that she be accompanied by a |.„lv of high rank. The Duchess of Devonshire went with her. They found the Prince vcrv pale and covered with blood. He told Mrs. Fitzherbert why he had stabbed himself, and he declared that he would not live unless sho would consent to be his wife. The future king placed a ring upon Mrs. Fitzherbert's finger which he borrowed from the Duchess of Devonshire. When the Duchess and Mrs. Fitzherbert returned to Devonshire House, there was drawn up a statement of what had occurred. Almost immediately after this event Mrs. Fitzherbert left England, at the same time "writing to Lord Southampton that she was not a free agent in what had occurred Mrs. Fitzherbert remained abroad for more than a year, but the Prince was in constant communication with her. He sent courier after courier to her, urging her to return to England and become his wife. Lord Stourion says in a manuscript which he left that ho saw a letter from the Prince that was 37 pages long. The heir apparent brought every possible argument to bear, even declaring that his father, George 111., would connive at their union. At last she consented to marry the t'rince under certain conditions which satisfied her conscience. There is no doubt that the marriage took place, and was performed with all the rites and solemnities of the Catholic Church. For several years they lived very happily and contentedly together. It was after Prince George had ascended the throne that ho took another woman to his affections, a beauty of rank. Then Mrs. Fitzherbert separated from him. During his last illness Mrs. Fitzherbert wrote to the King, tendering him any attention she could give him. This letter was found under a pillow after his death. After the death of George IV., Mrs. Fitzherbert was treated by illiam IV. as one of the family. She received every attention and consideration. The Duke of York was her devoted friend throughout her life. •She was looked upon as the peacemaker of the Royal Family. William IV. offered to make Mrs. Fitzherbert a duchess, and lie authorised her to wear mourning for her husband, his brother. It was known that Mrs. Fitzherbert had a son born to her, and there were grave questions about the succession to the throne. She had no great ambition for rank and position, either for herself or for her son. There were question", as to his right to succeed to the throne, for she was not of royal blood. On the other l and, there was the great English Nonconformist conscience to deal with. Wherefore it was looked upon as the part of wisdom that the secret of the boy's birth should not be known. He was placed under the care of James Old, a man of family and distinction, who had won high place in naval construction, who had been engaged by Spain to design warships. This p.'ce was secured for him by the Duko of York, brother of the Prince of Wales. A few years later James Ord came to America, still accompanied by the young lad. whom lie called his nephew, and it is from this nephew that the man who has just died so gloriously claimed his descent. .