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THE' OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, SUNDAY HORNING, ' NOVEMBER 22,' 1903
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The Sturdy Princesses of
the House of Montenegro
T UROPE has new subjects for its ad
ri miration, and, during the last few
" weeks, has been giving that admira
tion full swing; continental fancy has been
greatly taken with "the fighting princesses of
Montenegro."
Not that Europe admires the purposes
and policies of the "fighting princesses"
firebrands are always dangerous about a pow
der magazine but it has been immensely
tickled by their spirit and pluck. -
When Balkan war clouds began gather
ing so ominously some time ago, Europe kept
anxious eyes on the troubled zone. No one,
however, expected menacing lightning flashes
from little Montenegro, tucked away in the
mountain fastnesses betwecji Turkey and
Bosnia.
Yet some exceedingly dangerous flashes
blazed in the darkened sky above that moun
tain land, startling grave and fearful states
men in every European capital. They were
bolts hurled from the dainty hands of two
handsome daughters of the ruling house of
Montenegro Princess Xenia, 2J years old,
and Princess Vera, 21 years old. How they
put Europe on edge for a while happened in
this wise;
ONE day when It seemed that the slightest spark
might set the continent aflame with war. dli-
X. turoing aispaicnes went naininc uui iruin
Cettinjo. the capital of Montenegro.
"A remarkable demonstration is going on here."
the humming wires related to the world.
"The. women of Cettlnje, more patriotic even than
their fathers, husbands or brothers, are marching
in long processslon through the streets to show their
hatred of Austria and their rage that Austria has
annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina." .
As a general thing, Europe regards a political dis
turbance In such an Insignificant country as a mere
tempest In a teapot and pays little attention to It
But it was different thla time.
Servla's rage against Austria was Inflamed almost
to the point of boiling over without restraint; there
seemed but one possible outcome of the nearly unan
imous clamor for war: that Servian troops must aoon
be pouring over the Austrian border. The people
simply would not listen lo the advice of the few
cooler heads. '
Once Servla and Austria came Into bloody conflict
other Balkan states would spring to arms, and from
that powder magazine the flames of war would sweep
over Europe with cyclonic fury.
Any egging on of Servla was dangerous in the
extreme, and so this remarkable demonstration of
wuiucii' n Kirm uvcis m wvtimjB at ynce attracted
general attention.
Who was responsible for It; who organised and
led the movement? '
Promptly the Information came that Europe owed
its scare to the Princesses Xenia and Vera, unmarried
daughters of Nicholas, the reigning prince.
"These two young women," explanatory, dispatches
stated, "observing that the streets were filled with
excited crowds, mostly women, hastened from the
palace, and, waving Montenegrin flags, placed them
selves at the head of a host, of women, who hailed
heir appearance with the greatest enthusiasm.
"In the throng were, women of all classes, from
peasants to noblewomen, but none, of course, in rank
equal to the princesses. All seemed aflame with love
of country and hatred toward those they regarded
as the foes of their Servian kinsmen.
SANG WAR SONGS
"Following the princesses, their humbler sisters
marched through the streets, now singing war songs"
halting from time to time to urge the men who filled
the streets to defend the nation's sacred right; again
rending the air with shrill shouts: To war with
'Austria'; 'Better die than be the Austrian tyrants
slaves'; 'Men, if you love us, fight for us and your
homes.'
"After tumultuous scenes. In which the war ferer
rose to the highest pitch, the two princesses appointed
a committee to enlist Red Cross nurses for the 'in
evitable conflict.' " i
. ' Despite, its apprehension. Europe was Immensely
tickled by theimartial. spirit of the two princesses,
and promptly dubbed them 'The Fighting Princesses
of Montenegro." 1
- Tt -4hA - AtfliHn, Ihirti rit fi
the blood of these two high-born agitators. Monte
negro, In sise considerably smaller than Connecticut
-It has an area of 1(30 square miles and with m
total soulatloa about equaling that of Minneapolis
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is the home of a brave arid martial people, most of
them hardy mountaineers. Nearly all of the country
is rugged and mountainous.
Small as the land is, its people waged war with
Turkey over 400 years, in 1389 they refused to
continue under Turkish rule, and so lMig and sturdy
was" their battle for freedom that complete independ
ence was accorded, them by, the powers of Europe in
1878. &
A remarkable record has the reigning house of
Montenegro. Prince Nicholas Is father-lp-law to al
most as much of Europeas was the late King Chris
tian of Denmark. Not only have all his daughters
been remarkable specimens of femininity, but his
daughters-in-law as well.
Almost without exception the daughters and
daughters-in-law are strikingly handsome women;
are splendid specimens of physical perfection, are
athletic, daring and, withal, highly accomplished.
One of the daughters, Helene. Is now the queen
of Italy. She met the then Crown Prince Victor
Emanuel of Italy when the latter was in Montenegro
on a hunting trip about a dozen years ago.
Victor Emanuel was the guest of Prince Nicholas
and had been promised some fine hunting, although
he was warned that the mountainous character of
the country made the chase exceedingly arduous.
fi Mi
W
M' MARCEL, originator of the Marcel
wave, which has been so popular with
0 womankind for several years, was
"fired" after securing his first position,
lie lost his job immediately after doing up his
first coiffure. The woman over whom he worked
was so indignant that she tore down her hair in the
( establishment where the young hairdresser was
employed and rearrangl it herself, whereat the
apologetic proprietor summarily dis'missed Marcel.
Recently M. Marcel visited Englan l and for
the first time told how' he discovered the Marcel
wave, Ten years ago the master retired from
business, after accumulating a fortune of over
EOO,000.
AT A BANQUET tendered the foremost hair
dresser pf the world, in London, he was hailed
as "the greatest benefactor of women." M.
Marcel is now old, yet merry and cheery, and he
feels proud that women In five continents dress their
hair after the manner originated by him. His is a
fame unique In history.
What woman Is there who does not bless his name?
, When he first began to marcel, the hairdresser
received two francs., or about 40 cents, from a cus
tomer. After his wave became famous he made 'as
much as $200 at one sitting. For" years he averaged
fifteen patrons a day, some of them bringing him as
much as 1100. M. Marcel retired to a home in Nor
mandy ten years ago, wealthy and famous.
Thirty-six years ago M. Marcel observed the pecu
' liar curl of the hair at the side of his mother's head.
These were regular waves of unusual beauty. One
day the young hairdresser "wondered whether he
could not curl the hair irthe same manner over her
entire head. So he got a curling iron and "began ex
perimenting. -He studied the roll of the undulations,
and by degrees mastered the curl. He did It by a
peculiar twist of the wrist.
. M. Marcel loved to wave hair. He loved his new
wave. He began to experiment on his customers.
They were .delighted, and their delight grew. How
ever, M. Marcel waved only for women with soft,
supple hair. One day a woman whose hair was st lit"
shd coarse suggesteqVthat ha try the new curl on her.
M. Marcel demurred. - -
"Go ahead, work away." she said. Til pay you for
your extra time." S ' '
And M. Marcel worked, "' The lady emerged a hew
On the morning of the first huntlntr trio the Italian'
found, to his astonishment, that not only was he- to
be accompanied by Nicholas and his two elder sons,
but by the beautiful Princess Helene.
Not only did the royal Diana accompany the party
on its most difficult expeditions, but managed ta
bring down more game than Victor EmanueL
She was a veritable child of the mountains, sturdy;
of limb, fleet of foot and keen of eye, and as good
hunter as could be nrodurerl in MnnunAvrn
The crown prince, upon better acquaintance,
learned more about the dashing young woman. Ha
found that she was of gentle, affectionate nature,'
highly accomplished, a painter of talent and a mail
clan of more than ordinary ability.
So then and there he determined she should share;
witn mm the crown of Italy, which she now oes. '
Court etiquette never hampered the young livesj
of the Montenegrin princesses to any extent. Until
their sixteenth year they were permitted to run wild,
virtually spending most of their time outdoors, hard
enlng their constitutions by sports and the chase
sleighing, skating, making long journeys on snow
shoes In the winter, driving, riding hra bareback,
hunting, shooting, swimming, sailing a:n2 mountain
climbing in the summer.
During these years their education was 'ookeil after
by French and German governesses. With tho seven
tcenth year came a polishing course in Paris or Vlenaa,
so that the finished product was a young woman
whose natural beauty had been enhanced by a splendid
physique and the attractiveness of many accomplish-'
ments.
One' of the daushters., Mlllrm marrM tA i j
Duke Peter Nicholevltch, of Russia, a cousin of the
czar. Another, - Anastasia, married Prince George
Itomanowsky, duke of Leuchtenburg, a widower eight
een years her senior, who fell violently in love at
first BlKht at the wprl.llno- nf Ml!i- !.,.
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A similar romance attended the wedding of Helena
and the crown prince of Italy, at which tha younger -sister,
Anna, captivated Prince Francis Joseph ot
Battenberg, becoming his bride within six months.
The eldest daughter of the family. Princess Zorka,
married Prince Peter Karageorgevitch, now King;
Peter I of Servla, but died before her husband cam
to a throne.
Many times has the engagement of the handsome
and charming Princess Xenia she who led the recent
parade of the women of Cettlnje been rumored, but
her heart is still her own, it seems.
Once she was betrothed. In tho usual state fashlen '
to King Alexander of Servla. that malodorous mon
arch who was murdered some years ago In his palace.!
toerether with hi iitrMi.nn,iin n,.ff. !
Accompanied by a suitable escort, Xenia journeyed
to Belgrade to meet her future royal husband, 6h
was then 18 years old. i
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iuuoi. ichisii in iviicarincg ma wen as in Ills
habits was- Alexander. He was the Incarnation ot
degeneracy, and not far removed from Idiocy.
When the beautiful young princess saw him foB
the first time she fled from the room In terror and
dismay, and no threats or Influence could win her
consenc to me union.
THREATENED SUICIDE
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woman, and her delight was great. Other women
flocked to M. Marcel's establishment. The lady's wave
lasted five weeks. At the end of that time M. Marcel
was charging live francs to dress a woman's hair.
Then began the Marcel rage. The dresser's estab
lishment warf thronged. Women began to bid with
one another for precedence, and the fees went up to
$20. One lady living in London seat for the master
and paid-htnvt200 for a single treatments-
Then the world hailed the marcel wave, and all
great beauties, leaders of society, stars of the stage,
cultivated it. -
M. Marcel ' contends that no woman can dress-her
own hair. "It is useless for her to try," he says. But, -however
discouraging this remark may seem, M. Mar-,
eel is an optimist. He said:
"No woman must despair. No. woman must think
her hair irremediably ugly. I, have made a common
possession the wavy hair that only a few women had
from nature. t .
"The wave comes from the movement of the wrist.
I could not quite teach it In writing. The Instrument ,'
T use Is very simple; and the only variation on my
first Invention Is an Improvement of lbs points, to
prevent the snapping of the hair, . . ' '
"I have said no woman can wave her own hair
satisfactorily. he must go to a competent dresser;
and it is certain that even he has spent a year in
acquiring the art. It can't be learned in less.
"The wares should remain for two or three weeks,
and the woman herself can renew the waves daily.
Englishwomen have the best bair for waving. It Is
always so welf kept, so clean and shining. Bright
hair shows the waves best, too, fer it glitters in every
light. Oark hair cannot reflect light, and therefore
the waves lose much effect."
At the celebration in London several pairs of Irons
used bv M. Marcel for a public demonstration were
sold at" auction, one pair bringing nearly $35. Speak,
tng of his discovery, the famous man 'naively rs-
ma"The" secret T Simply a knack in the turn of th
wrist , and a series of movements of the irons that ;
mk the. 'wave' lasttnc I realised at one that I
' wasji benefactor to all womankind. Only a very few.
Rather than become the mate of such a disgusting
specimen of humanity she would kill herself, she)
declared, and those about her knew that she would
do so.
Later it was reported that she was to marry th
grand duke of Hesse, but as the ceremony has not
come off yet perhaps she again' exercised that womanly
prerogative which she seems to hold higher than the
demands of state.
Only last spring the court and people ot Montene
gro wera considerably exercised because of the Prin
cess -venva s extravagance in tne matter or purchasing
costly gems. For some years she had been known as
the "queen of hearts." which designation was changed
to "queen of diamonds."
Her love for the gems is said to have become an
absorbing passion, and her aim in life to be the pos
sessor of one of the finest collections of diamonds in
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gratified her tastes, often, his subjects charge, at the
expense of an already overburdened tax levy.
If there have been suitors for the hand of her
younger sister. Vera, their lovemaking, so far as
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lectiy nappy in tneir mountain principality tne
monotony of life at Cettlnje being broken by occa
sional trips to Paris and Rome and are evidently In
no hurry to assume the responsibilities of matrimony.
While Princo Nicholas has been rearlna sturrf
daughters to be the pride ot his old age and the
admiration of Europe, his sons have been bringing
home wives as handsome and ss energetic.
Princess Danilo. wife of the crown prince, one
of the most accomplished women of her day. Is asserted
to be the champion woman wrestler of Europe out
side of professional circles, of course ,
When she married Prince Danilo both fell far short
of the usual sturdlness of physique that had lontf
marked the royal house of Montenegro. The youn
princess set about to overcome this physical diss J-
"she learned wrestling In all Its phases, and. enthus
ing her husband, taught him. They give wrestUn.?
exhibitions In the palace one evening a week, an 1
few have been found able to stand before them,
la addition, th princess Is a fearless huntress..
- A skilful and Intrepid sportswoman and keen lovr
Of an open-air life Is th handsom Princess Natl...' .
wife of Prlnc Mlrko.
Their honeymoon trip was a camping-out -
tlon among th hill of Montenegro. Carrying a t
and a camera, th fair young bride spent -
weeks wandering through tb mountains. rew..;
a rough camp at night, subsisting largely up t
v.r.tim nf the rhase and shooting game lr th r.
est sections. In order to protect them ami
wojmen ar fortunate enough to possess naturally i,rnas of th fastnesses, a tr. 1 of':
cuifly hair. Those who have straight locks ar now n"c, mountaineers accompanied them.
xhfalZ;!! I'"" . Jii "oJe ?ynMontenegr toasts of in., 1
fortunate, sfster. -and every woman is grateful to in
In consequence." . . i . ..j
la Us royal bouse.