MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2653, 18 January 1905, Page 70

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES.

Concerning mysterious disappearances vhich have taken place from the Russian Court in times past — not a few in number, if all were told — the fate of the Princess of Wolfenbuttel, wife of the CzarewitchAlexis, son of Peter the Great, was never satisfactorily cleared up. It was generally understood that she lived unhappily with her husband, who illtreatedi her — indeed, one of the charges brought by Peter the Great against Alexis was that of cruelty to his legitimate consort. Her death was officially announced, and at funeral siiitable for the Czar's daughter-in-law took place ; yot a story afterwards gained some credence that the Princess, while supposed to be seriously ill, escaped from her palace with the aid of one or two faithful friends, and that the corpse of some obscure woman was entombed in. her stead. It was even rumoured that, after the death of Alexis, she niairied a man who had aided in her flight, and went? with him to America.

Another strange affair was that of Princess Charlotte of Brunswick, married to Prince Frederic, afterwards King of Wurtemburg. This pair lived: for a while in Russia, while Catherine II was on thai throne ; for Frederic's sister was the wifa of the Czarina's son and heir, and hac{ a fancy for having some of her own relations about her. The Wurtemburg Prince had occasion to complain to Catherine oj his Charlotte's conduct — with this result, that bis wife was seized, and imprisoned.

and he and his children were advised to leave Russia. Charlotte's fate remained, unknown for years; and when Frederic, believing himself to be a widower, wished to marry the eldest daughter of King George 111 of England, inquiry had to be mad) about the long-missing Princess. It was then assorted by the Russian authorities that she died two years after being imprisoned. , Frederic may have had good reasons for ! 3eaving his "first Charlotte in the lurch, j but her English - kindred showed • a poor . spirit ■ in the matter, and ought to have seen to it that her place of restraint was . rearer home and under proper inspection. ! Princess Charlotte" of -Brunswick interests' genealogists as having been ■ the link be- , tweeff "Frederick^ Prince' ot Wales, her j grandfather, and Prince "Plon-Plon" : Kapoleon. her grandson. She is now re- I presented by many important descendants, I including the Queen of Holland, the King j of Wurtemburs;, the Grand Duke of Saxe- . Weimar, the Duchess of Albany, and the j Queen of Sweden. In these days, with,} fierce lights beating on it, the royal caste usually behaves itself carefully and creditably, and when one )f its members gets locked up by offended or oppressive kindred the whole world demands the reason 4 -why. - - - • ' J