Spicy scandal of the early XIX century: the dazzling Prince Golitsyn wife lost cards

This story happened in the early 19th century: Prince Alexander Nikolaevich Golitsyn lost his wife Mary G. Golitsyn — count Lev Kirillovich Razumovsky. The website publishes the details of this fascinating historical passage.





In 1838, Mikhail Lermontov wrote the poem "the Tambov Treasurer". In the poem States that were in Tambov travel the staff captain Garin beat cards to local Treasurer Bobkowski. The situation would be commonplace, if not the bet in this game, which was beautiful Avdotya Nikolayevna, his wife. The poem itself is scandalous, but scandalous where was the real story that formed the basis of the plot.

Tyrant, the Events unfolded not in provincial Tambov, and Moscow, and participants were not any anyone not known to the Treasurer and the staff captain, and the "powers that be" — Prince Golitsyn and count Razumovsky. Between them there was a game in which the winner was a young beautiful wife.

The Prince was known as a tyrant, a playboy and spendthrift. Historian Mikhail Ivanovich Pylaev wrote about him:

"That Golitsyn had 24000 of serfs and the vast condition, which allowed the ashes: part of the lost cards, the portion spent on an unheard of extravagance. Every day he released his coachmen champagne, large banknotes used to light the tube the guests were thrown into the street the cabs handfuls of gold, that they crowded at its entrance, and so on. Having lived thus, he signed without reading the bill, which amounts exhibited no letters, and numbers. At the end of his life he received from his nephews and never regretted his former fabulous wealth, was always cheerful in spirit, and often drunk." Prince during the life called "Cosa rara", the name known at the time of the Opera (in Russian, "a rare thing" in the negative sense!)

Wife Prince Golitsyn chose Mary G. Vyazma (1772-1865), a beautiful young woman, which was a nickname Juno, for her beauty.

The sorrows of young Princess Young were married in 1789. But joint life they have not worked. In family life the Prince was a despot, often beat his wife. And at the same time the Prince did not spare money on outfits for Maria and took out all the balls, trying to impress people with her beauty and grace. In ordinary life, he behaved like a bachelor, carousing with friends, not coming home for months. It's crazy waste has become a legend. Maria Golitsyna, in anticipation of the inevitable ruin, appealed for help to the only ascended the throne Emperor Alexander I V. 1801. But the Emperor refused, and nothing could prevent Golitsyn to strive for the loss of material prosperity.

And the Prince lived their merry lives and paid little attention to his wife, and Maria G., meanwhile, fell the tall and stately handsome count Razumovsky.

Lev Kirillovich Razumovsky was a real gentleman. Refined and gentle, he lived lavishly and were cheerful and hospitable man. He was fond of science, reading and appreciating art. In my house one of the first to create a winter garden, which added to the charm of being held there, holidays and balls. Maria G. wistfully imagined what happiness could be waiting for her with such a wonderful man. But while that number was a despot and rude Golitsyn. Mutual sympathy of Lev Razumovsky and Maria Galitzine soon blossomed into love. Ripe for a major scandal. Suddenly, however, the situation was resolved in unexpected ways.

The game At that time getting a divorce was almost impossible. Desperate Razumovsky first wanted to call Prince Golitsyn to a duel, but then decided to try a different path. Razumovsky has suggested Golitsyn, a passionate player, to play on a big bet. Gambling Golitsyn agreed. Per night Razumovsky was able to win almost all of the state Golitsyn. In the morning Razumovsky proposed to put Mary G. against everything that he won for the night. After some hesitation, Golitsyn agreed and... lost again.

Leo K. took Mary G., and winning left Golitsyn. Despite the happiness of liberation, Maria G. was deeply offended that her maiden Princess Vyazma, put it on the map, like some kind of slave girl. About this scandalous story told in all the houses of Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, thanks to wide publicity, the Church has considered unacceptable such a desecration of the sacred bonds of marriage by the husband and without hesitation agreed to divorce with Golitsyn.

But the upper light has ostracized this new Union. If Razumovsky went on, Mary was in the position rejected by society, for her entrance into the aristocratic house was closed.

Forgiveness By the rules of that time Maria G. could not appear there, where would come the members of the Imperial family. It was believed that the divorced woman cannot be in the same room as the anointed one of God. But to help the couple Razumovsky came the Emperor Alexander I. Maria G. could not appear on large high-society balls. Razumovskaya is quite rare, but was invited to small family gatherings with dancing.

On one of such holidays in the house of kochubeev arrived unexpectedly the Emperor and, pointedly passing through the entire hall, invited Mary G. dance. And as the Emperor himself acknowledged the Countess Razumovsky worthy of their society, his subjects no choice was left but to follow the highest example, and henceforth to accept her as an equal.

Prince Alexander Nikolaevich Golitsyn



Maria Vyazemskaya — Golitsyn



Lev Kirillovich Razumovsky



via pikabu.ru/story/kak_knyaz_golitsyin_zhenu_v_kartyi_proigral_4681578