The Ladies' Magazine.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 7 March 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Ladies' Magazine.

ROMANTIC STORIES OF FAMOUS FAMILIES. j A ROYAL PARALLEL TO THE .’ JDRUCE CASE. j AN ASTOUNDING .STORY ABOUT . A RUSSIAN PRINCESS. SHE ARRANGED A MOCK BURIAL TO ESCAPE FROM A BRUTAL HUSBAND. About tlit> middle of the eighteenth century a familiar figure in the streets of Brussels was that of an old lady, white-haired and benevolent-looking, who still bore traces of rare youthful beauty, and who wore an air of distinction out of all keening with the plainness and almost shabbiness of her attire. As she passed quietly

along the streets of the Belgian capital, “many a head was turned tor a second look at a face which, with its mingled sweetness and dignity, was somehow different from other faces. A WOMAN WITH A STRANGE PA.ST. She was a woman of mystery beyond all doubt —one who could, il she , would, tell a story of a very different life and surroundings. But not one who speculated about her past could have had the faintest conception of all that past held of romance, of mystery, and tragedy, for Mine. D’Aubant ,tlie shabby oid lady who led her own obscure life apart, had been born to one of the most splendid destinies in. Europe, and might have worn the crown of an empress. More singular still, she had, nearly half a century earlier, been mourned as do ul in many of the great Courts of the Continent. There has probably never been a more remarkable story in the annals of Royal houses than that of Mme. D’Aubant, who was thus ending her days in deeds of quiet charity, an unknown exile in a strange city. More than seventy years earlier she had been cradled with pomp and .rejoicing in a palace, the daughter of Louis Eutlolpluis, Duke of Brunswick Wolfenbuttel, and Christina Louise, Princess of Oettingen. COURTED BY CROWN PRINCES. Prom her cradle this high-born infant, in whose veins flowed the blood of a hundred kings, and whose, sister, Elizabeth, was to reign as consort of Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, was destined to be the bride of one of the great ones of the earth and t 0 wear a crown as Queen. When the Princess Charlotte Louisa (for this was her name) blossomed into 'young womanhood her charms were enthusiastically spoken of in every Court- of Europe, and many a Royal Prince aspired to her hand. But the dainty lady refused them all. The prospect of a crown, half-a-dozen of them, had no power to dazzle her. Her heart was untouched, and hei hand should not be given where it could not also go. SON OE PETER THE GREAT WOOS AND WEDS. But to her, as to all such coy and wilful maidens, the Fairy Princv came at last, and lie came in the guise of the handsome Prince Alexis Petrowitz, eldest son of Peter and t’nrorfe'cf Russia. Alexis was one of the handsomest men of his day and one of the most- fascinating, as'many a woman had already known to her cost; and when first the Princess Charlotte set eyes on him she knew that her conqueror had come. It was a case of love at a glance; and the girl who had refused her hand to the most eligible lovers m Europe gave her heart,' in glad and full surrender, to one of the greatest scoundrels who ever disgraced a glorious name. It was ill 1711 that the “Fairy Princess,” as lovely and supremely happy a girl as ever wore a bridal veil, was led to the altar to the Czarvitch of Russia. For a few brief weeks Charlotte lived in a paradise of happiness more beautiful than any she had ever dreamed of. She worshipped her handsome young husband, and he in turn surrounded her with love and passionate devotion. But his ardour soon cooled itself; he grew weary of -his lovely toy, and the honeymoon had scarcely waned before ho revealed •himself to her in his true chartictor that of a callous, cruel, brutal man. Was Alexis sane? We doubt it. He had inherited the low tastes and violent temper of his father, wlioas we know, was subject to mad attacks of rage, in which he would seek to kill any who gave him offence, whatever his rank might be, and who was never har>pier than when drinking brandy by the. pint with the lowest of associates; and to these weaknesses the son added a sensualism and cruelty from which his father was free. THE CRUELTY OF PRINCE ALEXIS.

From neglecting his young wife and driving her to despair by his insults and his ilagrant amours, Alexis began to threat her with physical violence. He declared publicly that he hated her, and made no secret of his wish to get rid of her. On no fewer than three occasions he tried to poi--6on -nei >-«an(l• each failure seemed to fan the flames of his hatred. Even fact that she was about to become a mother, instead of softening him, added to his cruelty ; until one day the "crowning scene in the tragedy of wedded life came.- In one of his mad paroxysms of rage he knocked her down, kicked her repeatedly as she lay senseless on the ground, and left her bathed with blood. “Let her die! The sooner the better!” was the brutal answer to the messenger- who informed him that his wife’s hie was despaired of; and when a little later, news was brought to him that she had passed away, giving birth prematurely to a child, all he said was, “Bury her. Got her out of the way as soon as you can!” MOURNING FOR THE UNHAPPY PRINCESS. But the wife of the Czarviteh was not dead, although for some clays her life t. enabled in the balance. The story of her -death and burial was a fiction, devised by a few faithful retainers, with her consent, in order to free her once and for all from the tyranny of her brutal husband. Orders were given for the funeral, a sumptuous coffin was prepared, a log of wood was placed inside it, and quietly, silently, mournfijlly, the procession left the palace. The Burial Service was read over the coffin, .and mourning was worn in- the Courts of Europe 'for the lamented Princess whose life had been cut so tragically short. , . A NEW LIFE BEGUN IN PARIS. And the Princess?. What had become of her? Under the direction of the Countess Konigsrnark, mother of the future celebrated Marechal Saxe, her jewels and most .prized private belongings were collected; the Princess was taken from her bed, smuggled out of the palace, and in the jeonip uiy of one of her own ladies of jlie chamber and of an old and trusted man-servant was taken to Paris, to begin her life anew, away from the ■splendours and the horrors ol the Court- she had left for ever. From the moment,- of her mock burial the Princess C’h irlotto Louisa was as dead to the world as il her body, and not a log ol wood, were lying‘under Russian soil. She bad, l>v this clever ruse, emancipated herself from 'the past, shaken oft her lioyal trappings, and determined to seek m obscurity the happiness that was denied her in a palace. But even in Paris she was not ■ safe. There were many there who had known her in happier days, and at any moment, she might be recognised and -her secret revealed to the world. She must go away to some remoto corner - of the world where none would know her; and, a few weeks later, she found herself wth her two loyal attendants across the Atlantic, in the new colony ol Louisiana, which then held but a sprinkling of rough and widely-scattered settlers among the savage natives. Here, at least, she thought sho -^conldtfbreaHie.lha^air^oOrt'.ed.oiji.jinjL,

sot foot many days in Louisiana when she was seen and recognised by a man who had known her as a beautiful child in lior Brunswick home the Chevalier D’Aubant, who, like herself, had retired from the world to that remote colony. But although he knew well who the beautiful and dignified new immigrant was, not a sign of the recognition escaped Hie chivalrous knight, who was far too much a gentleman to prv into a lady's secrets. BEFRIENDED BY THE CHEVALIER D’A.URANT. If he could not make .himself known to the Princess he could at least serve her in silence. That she was a woman without a proper protector and in distress was enough for lum. He made the acquaintance, of the Princess's manservant, discovered that she wished to make a settlement on the banks of the Mississippi, and gallantly volunteered to make the necessary arrangements and to supplement her small resources with his own. ■ . One day the Chevalier felt impelled to tell the Princess that he had long discovered the secret of her identity, an .inuouuccment which alarmed and distressed her very much. Was she to be denied safety even in this remote part of the world? Must she again take flight, and, if so, where? wore flic thoughts that arose in her mind. But her fears were soon allayed by M. D’Aubant’s assurance that her secret was safe in his keeping, and that he would rather die than reveal it. And thus a new link was forged in the chain which bound these two lives together. At last news came that the Czarevitch was dead, and the Princess became the wife of the Chevalier D’Aubant- in an uncivilized land. Then followed a period of happiness such as she had not known silica her girlhood, of quiet, peaceful days in which husband and wife worked and struggled together; and their happiness was crowned by the birth of a daughter, who brought sunshine into their home. ONCE MORE IN PARKS. Olio might have thought that after all these' years the Princess would have been" safe from recognition on her return to the capital of France. But she hail not been many days in Paris when, as she was walking with her little girl in the Tuilertes Gardens, she met the Count do Saxe face to face. The recognition was instant and mutual. There was no escape, and in her dismay Mme. D Aubant begged the Count not to betray her. “As regards the world at large, madame,” the Count answered. “I shall be happy to do as you will,, but I shall consider it my duty to mtorm His Majesty the King of your presence in Paris.” In vain the distressed lady pleaded that he would not do so. ’ The Count, with profuse apologies, protested that lie had no option in the matter, but, as a final concession, lie promised that lie would not do so until three months had elapsed, and with this promise the Princess had to be content. DEATH OF THE CHEVALIER, AND THE PRINCESS’S RETURN. Lono-, however, before the three months had gone the Chevalier had obtained from the French East India Company the post of Major of the Island of Bourbon, and with bis wile and child bad set sail for his new home. When at last lier secret was revealed to the King he promptly wrote to the Governor of Bourbon, instructing him to treat Mme. D An bant with the utmost respect and attention ; and to the Queen ol Himtrarv informing her of the fate ot the aunt whom she had so long mourned as dead. . , , r Efforts were made to induce Mme. D’ Aubant to leave her husband and resume her rank and place m the world; hut to all such requests she returned an indignant anil resolute refusal. In Bourbon she remained until her husband’s death in lioi, when, having also lost her beloved daughter, slic returned to Europe to . spend in retirement the. few remaining years of her troubled hie.

PRESENTED AT COURT. “Girls,” said mother fo us one - day, “you really must be presented - next season 1” AYo didn’t know wliat she meant at first, though wo wont to London every spring. “Presented at Queen Alexandra s court, my dears.” Then we opened our eyes. Eva pictured pillared halls aglow with line lords and ladies, all glittering with orders and jewels; flunkies, too, in scarlet and gold, and lord chamberlains and pages, with princesses and ambassadors galore in tho background. . T Within a. month we were in London,- calling at stately Dorchester House, in Park Lane, where the hrst step was to be taken. Mother piesented her introduction s, and we were all pronounced proper perrons to “pass the Presence,” at tho next June court. We were oven to have a duchess as our sponsor! I don’t think I have over admired mother so much as I did m those strenuous days. Sho was a wonder; and before we left I assured her sho really ought to seek a court- appointment—Mistress of the Robes, or something like that —for her knowledge of procedure and etiquette was, to us, sum rising. She was familiar with the history of Buckingham Palaco ever since Queen Caroline's day; and sho promised us a fairy-like tranoqq oj .Cquuosqo ipupuS mo.ij uoiqis full whirl of society. . Everything seemed to hingo on tho great ordeal of the presentation the fow seconds passed in the presence of the queen which brings about tlio intangible something recognized by all foreign courts —for wliat door is closed to such as royalty receives ? “Tho first thing to do,” mother explained briskly, “is to appk for cards at the lord chamberlain s olhee in St. Janie’s Palace. Of course the ilucho-ss will fill them in for 11s.” Fortunately, application was made in good- time, for presentations aro limited to two hundred at each court. Tho cards, it seems, are returned to Viscount Althorpe a week boioro the crreat night, and he, in turn, places them heforo Queen Alexandra. Then the “passports” —t'liec ards of presentation —are issued. Meanwhile our gowns were receivin'l our attention. Behold us running over to Paris, to confer with an eminent dressmaker. There we found • that a regular uniform with a range in cost from £BO to £BOO vas do riguour. Many a woman carries a fortune in lace on her court gown.

Tho debutante’s robe, the great dressmaker said, must bo white; yet colored flowers are permissible in the shower bouquet she carries. As to the bodice of a. presentation gown, it should be cut in a round decollete, with short sleeves. If, through ill health, such a bodico can’t bo worn, a snecial permit may be obtained from the queen, through the lord chamberlain’s offico, and the alternative in such an event is a “hiMi” court gown bodico cut square or “V” shaped, and filled in with diaphanous or thick white material, and elbow sleeves to -match. The train may be round or square, hung from the shoulders or the waist ;b ut its length is imperiously decreed to -be not less than three, an-cl one-half yards, possibly four. As to trimming, the robe may be adorned with ostrich feathers, flowers, or jassementerie, according to taste. N-ecst, wo learned ot "the cast-iron rules about the orthodox feather headdress: three white ostrich plumes for a girl. These must stand high in front, so as to be clearly seen on the dobutante’s approach to the king and queen. A white veil hangs from the plumes, at the back. It was quite clear to me that the coiffure for this occasion would be worlr for J no ordinary maid. In case of deep mourning, black plumes and veils may be substituted, and black or gray gloves worn instead of white. Flowers and fan are optional. Diamonds and pearls may be worn; but no color, whether in gown or accessories,’is permitted tho debutante. After securing our gowns, then will you believe it?—we had to go tos chool; all three of usl Special drilling was necessary to practice regal courtesies, as well as such feats as walking gracefully on highly polished floors with a twelve-foot train. It was a funny sight to see grave old dowagers practicing with make-be-lieve queens in. dowdy 'Baker Street “drawing-rooms” 1 Sometimes the mantlepiece and fireplace did duty as “Her Majesty” ! Even -royal courts, it seems, have grown a little democratic. In Queen Victoria’s time the form of presentation was most trying. Not only were tho deeiiest of deep courtesies necessary, but individual courtesies wero also dropped before every member of the royal family present. As there might be six or eight of them, and tho unfortunate debutante had to retire backwards, carrying a four-yard train, it may well be believed that tragis accidents happened. -Many women, indeed, would have fallen ignominiously, were it not for the practiced- arms of the lords-in-waiting. At last the magic cards, portentous with giant seals and the royal arms embsosed in gold, were received I They read; “The Lord Chamberlain has been commissioned by Their Majesties to invite 'Mrs Fa-rlow anil the Misses Laura and Eva Farlow to a Court, to be held at Buckingham Palace on June 10th.” The hour was ten o’clock •=.

If ever the present king and queen showed good sense it was in altering the preposterous arrangements of their august predecessor, whose far mous drawing-rooms were held in broad daylight, most likely on a raw, March day when red noses and cold feet predominated, and one had to drive through an inquisitive mob, which peered in at the windows at every opportunity and made distressing personal remarks when the long lino of carriages stopped because of a block at the grand entrance to the palace. Daylight functions had been dear to Queen Victoria from thoso dim and distant -days when, as girl heiress to -the throne—a little princess only just in her teens—sho had attended -her aunt’s drawing-rooms. The great day came. We began dressing immediately after lunch.Wo then had a pretty clear idea of all the laws regulating our progress, and later, in tho evening, a young Englishman called to give us a few final hints. He, too, was going -to court. His regulation costume was a tail coat of black silk velvet, glittering with buttons of cuts teol; velvet knee breeches, black silk stockings, buckled shoes , white gloves, a cocked hat, and a little sword. Ho carefully pointed out to us this sentence in the lord chamberlain’s letter ofa dvico: “Ladies who pass tho Presence at Their Majesties’ Court are requested to be kind enough to remember that theirtrains, which are spread by pages on entering the Throne Room,s hould he kept down until they are picked up and restored to them by pages who will bo in attendance at the exit door for that purpose.” It seemed clear that every step would be "watched with the closest care and attention. You may -ho sure that the coiffeurs were busy that day. Wc didn’t have much dinner, for, truth to tell, we looke dforward to the “stand-up supper, now served for the general company, in the garter room and green drawing-room. There was a time when not even a cup of tea was offered within the royal walls; hut now a menu is offered by -Monsieur Menager, w-hof or many years has been principal chef to King Edward. Tho supper rooms, by the way. arc very extravagant, and the magnificent gold plato of tho British sovereigns, worth £1,000,000, is brought up from Windsor for this occasion. Thero are several entrances to the royal . palace. Royalties and their equerries have the garden entrance fn rthem. The.corps diplo-

who have what is culled the on tree, also have a door of their own, while tho general company uso the state entrance and another in Buckingham Palace Road. Wo envied the entreo women that night, if only because ol their right of early presentation. blow wo got out of the curriago without unfolding our tremoiulous trains, Id on’t know. The quadrangle was ablaze with electric lights and wo had a glimpse of a vast, scar-lot-clad -marble staircaso, with powdered flunkies and court officials hearing gold-headed -stall's, Yeomen of tlito Guard, and archaic soldiers carrying dreadful looking battle-axes. Wo hurried through the great hall and sculpture gallery to tho Bow Library, which is used -ns a cloakroom at such times. Thoro wo left our wraps, and passed up tho wide staircase glowing with flowers, rare marbles, and -bronzes. “Presentation or attendance P” murmured the ushers in blue and gold at tho top. Wo moved onward with tho throng, through tho long picture gallery, filled with a brilliant throng in magnificent -uniforms and superb gowns, laces, and jewels, into the- great ballroom. Finally tho last barrier was passod, and not ono of us had so far forgotten herself as to offer her fan or bouquet in place of Hie precious card. Nor did wo stuinblo or do any o ftlio silly things recorded in palace annals. My train was deftly talcon down and its great shimmering length smoothed out. I was conscious only of a groat silence, broken only by tho loud utterance of my name.

At longtli I beheld Queen Alexandra in a satin gown of great beauty mid simplicity, veiled with snowy tnousscliue ,and decked with tho incomparably beautiful -Brussels givon her, on her marriage, by tho Belgian king. Sho wore the manteau vonitien she specially approves, and herorown, necklaces, and eorsago gems wore one glorious coruscation of lambent fire. Such little color -as the queen wore was borrowed from her -diamonds and from the bluo ribbon of tho Order of the Garter that crossed her breast prominent beside her other orders. King Edward appeared in the uniform of a genoral, and t-lie Princess of Wales was in white satin and jeweled lace, her train a boa-utifulcloud of silver tissue, and a foam of poppy petals at her feet. Their Majesties stood upon- a splendid carpet of velvot pile, with no dais nor thrones, whilo a throng of peeresses and high official, ladies or entree guests lmed the walls and added to the dazzling scene. . , „ I advanced and courtesied first to tho king and then to tho queen, who smiled and bowed with as much gracious charm as though I, mysolt, were tho sole and honored guest or that brilliant night. Then I passed on; and no sooner was the exit reached than my train was lifted and placed over my arm. The long" droamed-of ceremony was over —had passed in a flash, like a dream. People havo asked me if I admired tho marvelous Gruner decorations of the ballroom, which cost £40,000; or the friezes by Raphael, whoso “Twelve Hours” are there displayed, set in nanols of sat-inwood. I tear I saw little of these. I carried out a. vague souse of flashing jewels gorgeous dresses, resplendent uniforms, dazzling orders, and soft music. But 1 did see the thto sweet and gracious queen, and her splendid crown scintillating like living fire as she bowed and smiled at poor little me. Mother, Eva, and I met in tne salon beyond and eagerly compared notes. “It is like a wedding, Eva said- “once it is finished you want to go through the whole thing again, this time to enjoy it. in nts.

A pastry board, if covered with a niece of white oilcloth, is -almost as nice as a marble slab ibr rolling pastry on.

Before applying furniture polish, ~-rino- out a cloth from very hot water and rub it- over tho furniture; quickly wipe dry. then apply the furniture polish in the usual i\a>, -and a very high polish may -be- obtained, which will not fmgei maik.

When putting on a pair of gloves for tho first time the hands should bo dry and cool, and care taken that the fingers are worked well down into their proper places.

Remedy for Mosquito-Bites. Slightly damp the tip of the finger and dip it into tobacco asli, then rub tlio place where stung, afterwards lemoving all traces of the ash by rubbino- with ‘a pocket-handkerchief. This will remove all pain and irritation.

At intervals jewellery should he taken out of the case and be cleaned in soapsuds, using good toilet soap tor tlio purpose. Dip into the suds and dry by using a very soft brush, and afterwards use a soft chamois leather.

Aliun is excellent to prevent tartar on the teotli. Take a little oil your brush, which you should previously have slightly wet, and brush your teeth with it every morning for three or four days. You need not do this more than once a fortnight. Rinse your mouth out afterwards with honey and water. It will counteract the drawn astringent condition of the mouth. Lemon juice is as excellent; only it must be used very rarely and the mouth must be.'washed out afterwards with pure soft water. Apply it with a clean rag or on a toothbrush. Apples or the inside of orangepeel are also very effectual, and strawberries are excellent for preventing tartar and for keeping the teeth white and warding off decay. HERE AND THERE. The Queen of Norway takes a great interest in bookbinding. The collecting of beautifully-bound books is one of her hobbies.

Burnt sugar is recommended as a deodorizer. Sprinkle the sugar on a few live coals on a shovel and leave in the room for five minutes. Afterwards air the room.

Long engagements are extremely trying experiences. If two young people love one another well enough for betrothal, they love one another well enough for marriage.

If girls who tliin'k of getting married would remember that tho life they are about to lead provides just about as many trials as that they are at present leading, there would be fewer disappointed wives. Lotions, such as brilliantine or f onice, .should never be applied with a sponge or with the palm of the ! and, tho correct method being that of sprinkling a few drops on a toothbrush and rubbing this well into tho roots. Scenting the hair—vTiiich so many people affect nowadays-—must bo looked upon a delicate art in itself, and only with experience can tho happy mean he defined, most amateurs committing the fatal error of overdoing it. Miss Maria Gay, the Spanish operasinger, at first intended to- become a sculptor, hut, after only eighteen months o-n the operatic stage, demon-strated-that -she possessed the highest talent for not only singing, but also acting and dancing. There is no gainsaying the fact that the cultivation of good manners has much to do with highmindedness, which is so essential to every wellregulated life. Politeness always pays, and the nice girl always attracts Lo her nice people. For the first time in history Chinese lady students are proceeding to various foreign countries to complete their education witli Western knowledge. Each student is a graduate of a Chinese college.