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18 October 1904 — Cettinje | |
Tuesday. 18th [October 1904]. Fine day after all & Mr Kennedy fetched me in the morning about 11 & took me for a walk up to the Tomb of the Prince Danilo & we came back to the Monastery & the Bighardo where Henry had visited the then Prince & then we went our separate ways to luncheon. At 2 he joined me at the hotel & helped me to receive the visit of Prince & Princess Mirko when I received in the salon of the hotel. They stayed about ½ hour chatting. The Princess looking lovely with a white feather boa round her neck & shoulders. We then walked off by the Austrian Legation with Mme Kuhn who had joined us at my hotel, for a walk we went up the new Loftcha road & once wishing to make a short cut we clambered up, the Baroness & I a very precipitous place over loose stones. We were followed up the winding road by the Baroness’ carriage with her 2 little Bosnia ponies & we got into the carriage ½ way up as far as the road went when there is a little plain. We then walked to where the road began again & then turned back & drove back to Cettinje to the Austrian Legation & had tea. The Baron, Css Radai & Mr Suard the French Minister were there. The news of a great Russian defeat in Korea is confirmed with 80 guns taken by the Japs; also the death in her confinement of the young Princess of the Asturia’s wh is very sad– On leaving the Kuhns we called on the Turkish Minister Fensy Pasha to take leave of him & then back to the Hotel. Dressed & at ¼ to 8 a carriage came from the Palace & an ADC of the Prince to take me to dinner there. Mr Kennedy joined me & the carriage took us, the ADC walked. The Prince met us on the top of the stairs & led me to where Princess Milena was sitting. H.R.H. the Prince wore his Victorian order & the Russian order of St George wh is only given on the field of battle & of wh he said there were only 12. Prince Mirko came to dinner– Mr Kennedy gave his arm to Pss Mel, I followed on that of the old Prince. Both were in their native costume as yesterday. I sat at his right—at his left sat a Brigadier Genl. On my right round the end of the table was Prince Mirko wh was a great resource & talked pleasantly. He said also “Madame si vous me le permittez je [illegible words]. Tante comme le fassait ma cousine Olga.” I told him I was only too flattered. His father was chatty & told funny stories of his journey across the Channel to London & how on his return he thought the crossing looked unpleasant & he had a mind to have waited at Dover & while he was hesitating a telegram from our Queen was put into his hands in wh she said she hoped he would send her a telegram as soon as he got to Paris so that there was no help for him but to go at once. Once on board he saw a lady in a chair rolled right across the ship. He ran to pick her up & replace her. She neither opened her eyes nor thanked him & to this day he does not know whether she was feeling seasick or refused to speak to him as she had not been presented to him! The Minister for F.A. came in just after we had sat down—there was only the ADC besides. Princess Natalie was not well eno’ to dine but came in afterwards looking very lovely in a stone coloured loose silk dress & found Princess Milena & me in the “farmer’s parlour” room while the gentlemen smoked in another room—the Prince joined us later & came with Mr Kennedy & there was a great showing of photographs—all our royal family &c. The Princess begged me to send mine & I hinted I wished for their’s & they were sent for at once. They also wrote their names in my autograph book wh I took there for the purpose. Once Pss Natalie looked pale & the old Prince seized her by the arms & carried her off to an open window—she returned restored & sat talking & jumping up to bring me the photos to see. The old Prince led me off to see the pictures of some of his family & we returned to the exhibition of photos. I asked if they were going to Italy to the christening of their Italian grandchild– The Princess said she thought she would do so. The Prince said it is uncertain. He added that he wished to visit it & said “Quand j’abdiquerais & j’aurais le loisir je voudrais passer quelques mois à chercher dans les Archives de Venise pour des choses qui interessent mon pays.” I told him I wd prepare my friend Sr Malagola but I feared & hoped the day was far off. At 10.30 the Princess said goodbye. The Prince gave me his arm & led me to the top of the stairs. Prince Mirko accompanied me down & put on my wraps & we returned to the hotel in the Princely carriage. Hearing I had been upon the Loftcha road the prince said that Pss Milena intended to establish a hospital in that part, the Prince said that his wife was not strong & had gone thro’ a serious operation. She said yes, she suffered much & had to be very careful & to spend the winter in the milder climate of Rieca. She said into my ear, I cannot tell you how I have suffered in health & on account of illness & death amongst my family. I have had 12 children & have now 9 alive & have had an operation to remove the billiary duct. She showed me a photo of her grandfather a fine old man—who was alive when Henry was here in 1839 & had served 5 sovereigns—of wh Pss Milena is very proud. Prince Mirko complained to me of the Montenegrin costume wh he wears like all others at his father’s court. He says it is very expensive. If he makes the least stain while riding on his grey overcoat he has to throw it away. I told him, I thought he was wrong to wish to give it up as it is so very beautiful & becoming. The Crown Prince was away shooting & only returned this evening. His wife is indisposed & sent me word she regrets she cannot receive me. She is a Mecklenburg Strelitz Princess—pretty & much liked by the Parents. Her husband is said to be a very mauvais sujet & to ill treat his pretty little wife. | |
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