Prince Mechtchersky

Overview

«Le vieux prince Mechtchersky», a Russian prince of the Rome colony in 1876, father, it seems, of the Mlle Mechtchersky whom Torlonia courts. At the Capitol masked ball of 18 February 1876 «Dina est enlevée par le vieux prince Mechtchersky» (054.0225); at the ball of 25 February Marie walks off with him as a cover: «Je rencontre le prince Mechtchersky et m'en vais avec lui, il me sert de contenance» (054.0451), passing herself off as an Italian with him (054.0461). On 2 April 1876 «les Mechtchersky» are among the Russians on the lawn (056.0333), and Marie goes back to her box «avec Mechtchersky» at an Apollo ball (056.0350). Mon Journal t.7 index: «Mechtchersky (prince) : 70, 87, 207, 209, 268», apart from «Mechtchersky (princesse)» (see Prince et Princesse Mechtcherski) and «Mechtchersky (Mlle)». Which of the many princes Meshchersky he was is not known.

Identity uncertain

We are not sure who this is: Marie gives no first name, and the Meshchersky family had many branches. Whether the prince who was Marie's neighbour at Schlangenbad with his wife in August 1875 (039.0217) is the same man is not known. If you can identify him, we would be glad to hear from you.

References in Diary

• 1875-08-22 (039.0217, Schlangenbad; identity with the Rome prince unconfirmed)
• 1876-02-18 (054.0225); 1876-02-25 (054.0451, 054.0461); 1876-04-02 (056.0333, 056.0350)