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Western Star, Issue 374, 21 August 1880, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA. From the memories of the Count de Reiset I translate the following, as he is the last man of an old school of diplomats who leave their mark at every Court in Europe, carrying hence in return recollections and regrets which they are one day sure to publishThirtynine years ago the Grand Duke Alexander of Russia set out, accompanied by Count Orloff and a numerous suite, to visit the various courts of Germany, where princesses, marriageable and suitable, were officially reported to exist He went to Berlin, of course, and to several other of the North German capitals, He arrived shortly afterward at Frankfort, and put up at the Hotel de Russie. But no marriageable princesses were to be found at Frankfort, at that time a free Republic. It was only to be the halting jfiace for the night, and Carls'ruhe their goal, where the Princess Alexandrine, who afterward became Duchess of SaxeCoburg Gotha, and tbe Princess Marie of Baden, afterwards Duchess of Hamilton, and the mother of the Princess of Monaco, whose divorce suit at Rome is a cause celebre, formed a pair of the greatest attractions iu Germany. The Imperial travellers were leaving Frankfort, therefore, when the Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt sent an invitation to the Grand Duke begging his company at the neighboring castle of Darmstadt; the young prince somewhat unwillingly accepted the invitation. The dinner was a family one, and the young Princess Marie did not appear. Alexander was even ignorant of her existence, for her name had not appeared on the official list of German princesses aspiring to the hand of the first of continental princes. In the evening, however, the Grand Duke, while passing , the dining-room of the castle, met a young lady accompanied by Mile, de Grancy, gouvernante. They were going to the drawingroom for tea, and the young lady modestly stepped aside to allow the prince to pass. Seeing this young girl, so naive and so gentle, the Grand Duke asked of the Hessian nobleman who she was,

“’Tis her Highness, the Princess Marie of Hesse.” » “Indeed,” said the Grand Duke; “how old is she ?” Immediately on reaching the dining, room he begged to be presented to her. The Princess Marie was an admirable young lady-modest, simple and charming. She had been brought up somewhat in the Cinderella fashion in the family of Hesse. The Grand Duke was struck still more by her retiring goodness and modest beauty, and during the evening conversed with her frequently. On his return to Prahkfort the Grand Duke scarcely spoke a word to the gentlemen of his suite, and retired at once to his apartments. iThe following morning Count OrlofE waited on the prince to receive his orders and to learn the. hour he had fixed for his departure for Baden. “My dear Count,” said the Grand Duke, “we need go no further,_ I have ’made my choice; my journey, is at an '■end,” ' ~; ■ < ; ■ ■ ■■■■ “What?” replied Count OrlofE, astonisbedl; “what choice has your Imperial Majesty made P ” “I shall marry the Princess Marie of Hesse, if she will do me the honour of granting me her hand.” “ But,” said the Count, “from every point cf view such a thing is impossible. The Princess Mane has not even been placed on the list of German princesses how marriageable. She is in weak health, and, moreover, too young. Your highness has not yet seen the Baden princesses, and the Grand Duke would be offended if you do not go to Carlsrnhe! ” “If necessary, for politeness sake, I shall go to Carlsruhe; but I spent all night reflecting, and I shall only marry Princess Marie, who belongs to a family that , has already given Russia one empress, and which is one of the most illustrious and ancient in Germany.” Count Orloffi was in despair at this definite speech, and wrote off at once to the Emperor Nicholas. Indeed, this news was received with astonishment in the Imperial family. The Princess Marie was known scarcely at all, having, since the death of her mother, been brought up privately by Mile, de Grancy. The most intimate friends of the Imperial family did their utmost to thwart such an alBut the Emperor Nicholas, whose affection for his son unbounded, would not oppose his inclinations, and said almost publicly, in order to put an end to the various rumours afloat;—

“ Princess Marie of Hesse, like all otber German princesses, is to be found in the ‘ Gotha Almanach.’ She is, moreover, a charming young lady, who will make the happiness of our son. Both the Empress and myself think that Alexander ought to marry according to his liking. It may be easily imagined what joy this news caused to the Hessian family. From that moment the gaze of the whole of Europe was directed to that young girl, so modest and so accomplished, who was soon to ascend one of the greatest thrones in this world. From the Count de Beiset I cease to quote, but must add, by the light of my own brief experience in touring to and from St. Petersburg, that I have never heard but one voice of love and admiration for this Empress, who. never forgot her maiden simplicity, modesty, and virtuous bearing. She was born on the Btb April, 1824, and married the 28th April, 1841, just about four months after the accidental meeting at Darmstadt I have described from Count de Reiset s memoirs.—London correspondent Haiti • more Sun.