FORBIDDEN ROMANCES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1289, 18 November 1911, Page 10

FORBIDDEN ROMANCES.

The cablo reporting tho death of Helena von Donnigcs will have caused many readers to take down Meredith's "Tragio Comedians" from their book-shelves. Tha love affair of Helene and Lassallc, the founder of the Social Democratic movement in Germany, is ono of tho greatest romances of tho nineteenth century. It ended in Lassallo's death in a duel with the man who afterwards married Hcleno. Hvlene's third husband, tho Russian writer, Baron von Schewrtsch, died a few days ago at Munich. Tho miserabU woman overcome by grief and financial troubles, committed suicide by taking chloral hydrate. , Helene von Donnigo s tragic end recalls a lovo romanco concerning another maker of modern Gcrmauy, which, has just been made public. Dr. Brunno Eennig, of Berlin, has published tho story of tha txDinantio attachment between tho Ercporor William I. and Princess Eliza Eadisiwill. Eliza was tho daughter of tho famous Polish magnato, Prince Antony R&dziwill. When sho was twenty years of ago, and tho futuro German Emperor twenty-throe, [lie first words of love passed between, them at a picnio in the forest near Berlin. Writing to her friend, Countess Stosch, tho young Princess Baid, "How happy, how supremely happy I was with William." But the Prince and his i inamorata had not reckoned with tho grim political forces which mould tho lives of royalties. True, Eliza was the daughter of Princess Louise of Prussia and a grand-nioco of Frederick the Great, but her father's rank made it doubtful whether 6ho could ascend tho throne of Prussia.

Tho "house laws" of tho Hohcnzqllorns aro very strict, and tho only possibility before the lovers seemed a niorganatio anion. For years tho matter remained in debate. There were loag periods of separation, due to Prince William's duties in difforont parts of the country. After one re-union, tho Princess Eliza wroto to her friend:—"lt was a sad and sorrowful (inio, but wo found consolation in our love. Wo understand each other perfectly; there is no doubt, no uncertainty. On the evening before his departure for Toplitz William spent the ovoning at our house. Wo sat in the garden till midnight, and no wero üblo to talk alone there without attracting any attention. Wo talked only oa brother and sister, but ho epoke to me so earnestly, so beautifully, without any hint of (■elfish love, that 1 could not repress my tears. Iα this short time lie has become dearer to mo than ever before, and I am determined that whatever may happen I will remain faithful to him and keep the lovo for him in my heart." During these years Prince William was constantly imploring tbo Prussian King to grant Eliza royal rank. But the scheme fell through, and in 1829 Princo William's engagement to Princess Augusta of Weimar was nunounced. The Prince camo to Posen to bid Eliza goodbye. Dr. Homing tolls a touching story of tho parting. Eliza lived but a short time alter her lover's marriage. Ono night, as she sat at dinnor with tho Princo and his wife, eho was attacked by internal hnemmorhage. Her father and mother tool: her to tho forest near Berlin in which tho young Princo had first declared his love. There sho died,