The Princess Aline

by Richard Harding Davis

H. R. H. the Princess Aline of Hohenwald came into the life of Morton Carlton--or "Morney" Carlton, as men called him--of New York city, when that young gentleman's affairs and affections were best suited to receive her. Had she made her appearance three years sooner or three years later, it is quite probable that she would have passed on out of his life with no more recognition from him than would have been expressed in a look of admiring curiosity.

Genres: Classics

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

Richard Harding Davis (1864–1916) was a journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish-American War, the Second Boer War, and the First World War. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt and he also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young artist goes on a wild goose chase, in hope of meeting and falling in love with the princess. However, he instead finds himself in love with his travelling companion.

Very cute! I especially love the ending, because it let's you know that if Carlton (the artist) had tried a little harder, he would have had the princess. However, it is no longer important to him.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Paladin1420 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was interesting, and the plot moved along quickly. It was not tedious as some books from this period tend to be. The characters were likeable and mostly believable, again not usual for stories from this time, in my experience. It included some prescience as well: In referring to royalty (in 1895):
"These royalties make a very picturesque show for the rest of us, but indeed it seems rather hard on them. A hundred years from now there will be no more kings and queens, and the writers of that day will envy us, just as the writers of this day envy the men who wrote of chivalry and tournaments, and they will have to choose their heroes from bank presidents, and their heroines from lady lawyers and girl politicians and type-writers. What a stupid world it will be then!"

and another:
"But as he approached the stranger he saw, to his great disappointment, that he had nothing more serious to deal with than one of the international army of amateur photographers, who had been stalking the Princess as a hunter follows an elk, or as he would have stalked a race-horse or a prominent politician, or a Lord Mayor's show, everything being fishthat came within the focus of his camera."

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carlton, an American artist, sees the picture of the Princess Aline and is convinced that he is in love. He sends the princess two of his paintings and undertakes an excursion to Europe in hopes of meeting the woman of his dreams. While I was reading this story, I had the distinct impression that this painter was rather immature as he was at a complete loss as to what love was. The only attribute that he could judge in someone of the fairer sex was facial beauty. This is a love story with a twist. Carlton matures and realizes that the right woman is much more than just a pretty face. It took me awhile to warm up to this novella but once the fire was lit, it burned brightly. It is a unique and rather quaint love story that is sure to appeal to many.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little romance with a twist ending that I started to see coming and really wanted to happen, but which pleasantly surprised me anyway.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Princess Aline,’ published in 1895 as a novella after its serialisation in Harper's Monthly, is one of Richard Harding Davis’s light-hearted romantic comedies with a touch of mystery and regret. However, in view of events that took place more than a hundred years later, modern readers might find the stalking of a princess unpleasantly familiar and sinister.

It is enough to say that the book possesses a certain innocent charm. It was a time when class mattered, and introductions to royalty from common friends, club acquaintances and social events were not uncommon. In fact, the Wikipedia page says that Davis himself had a crush on the Princess Alix, later the Tsarina of Tsar Nicholas.

Here the ending is predictable, but the reaction of the princess is unexpected!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little romance / soft adventure. A rich, young, and successful portrait painter becomes entranced by the newspaper photo of a princess from a small European country. As he was about to leave on a holiday to Europe, he decided to see if there was any way he could perhaps meet her and win her over. As his ship was about to leave, a friend asked him to watch over two ladies: an older woman and her niece. The three of them got along splendidly, with the artist and the niece developing a very compatible, platonic relationship. She eagerly helps him track down his princess, and assists him in “coincidentally” showing up where she will be. Lots of fun.

[Terrie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Easy read. Something enjoyable when you don't want to read something that's going to take a lot of time.

[Dystopian Mayhem · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is good but it’s very slow for a book as short as this one. Halfway through I’ve decided to dislike it if he ended up with the princess, but I liked how it ended.

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical little travel romance that is entertaining, even though we all know exactly how it's going to go.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, little, clean tale with a side of light moral. Though I'm not sure I approve of Miss Morris' decision.

[Linda Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, quaint love story!

I love stories of old, and this was a delightful one for a cozy fall night with tea and a fresh baked scone!

[J. Rubino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give the novella The Princess Aline five stars, not as an example of great literature, but for the sheer enjoyment of reading an entertaining, well-paced wry fairy tale of a young artist who falls in love with the photograph of a princess and sets out to meet her in the flesh.
New York artist Morton Carlton sees a photograph of several European royals in a newspaper, is smitten with one of the subjects, Princess Aline of Hohenwald, and decides to sail for Europe to pursue her. As he prepares to sail, a friend asks him if he will look after two ladies of his acquaintance who will be Carlton's fellow travelers - Mrs. Downs and her niece, Miss Edith Morris. Mrs. Downs confides that her niece is soon to be married and that she and Miss Morris decided to take a pleasure trip before the wedding. Miss Morris soon becomes Carlton's sounding board and advisor as her travels through Europe follow his pursuit of the princess.
Carlton has several near-encounters with his elusive object, while gradually coming to appreciate the companionship of Miss Morris and, as with Davis' more well-known novel, In The Fog, even when you know the outcome early on, you are still treated to a final twist in the finale.
A thoroughly engaging and quite modern take on the consequence of falling in love with an image, and learning to differentiate between surface and substance.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a short, funny, romance story about a young artist who traipses about Europe trying to meet his true love. It honestly feels like a period Rom-Com. After seeing a picture of a princess of a small duchy in Germany, our protagonist, Carlton, sets sail for Europe to finagle and introductions. Along the way there are chance meetings, missed connections, misunderstandings, and zany antics. It's a fun, but not particularly serious novel.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad bonus ending. Wasn't as Ruritanian as I was expecting.