The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-26 00:00:00

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THE IMPERIAL VISIT TO TILE
PYRENEES.
•
TARBES, August 21.—0 n Thursday morning
Tarbes resembled a bee-hive. All was motion and
commotion ; banners and flags were being flung to
the breeze, while every one was getting ready to re-
joice at half-past two, as at that.hour the Imperial
party was to arrive. Never before was the old ca-
pital of Bigorre so excited or animated. Joyful ex-
pectations were depicted on all countenances, and a
universal anxiety was apparent to get a good view
of both their Majesties. I became for the
space of two hours a lion. I inadvertently
mentioned that I had often seen their Majesties'
whereupon I became the centre of a ring of anxious
and curious beings, male and female, all asking
manifold questions as to the appearance and general
character of those so soon expected. My situation
was becoming irksome when luckily the Imperial
train approached. From all parts of the country
came flocking in the sunburnt campagnards, while
the streets were filled with municipal deputations,
all carrying flags. Foremost were the venerated
relics of the past, the 2lledailles de Sainte _Helene.
Earlylin the morning the Prefect had started to meet
the train at Maubourguet. At half-past two the
locomotive stopped at the station, which was beau-
tifully ornamented on this occasion. At once the
trumpets sounded, the drums rolled, while loud/
hearty, and sincere rose the mighty shout of
greeting. Their Majesties were received by his
Excellency M. Fould (who has a fine property near
Tarbes), the Prefect of the Hautes Pyrenees, Gen'
de Larroquette, and the members of the different
councils. as well as the clergy, of whom there were
400 present, and among them were two archbishops:
Having entered the carriage their Majesties passed
through the streets escorted by the gendarmerie'
firemen, and some soldiers of the line. In the car-
riages that followed after the Imperial couple were
the Countess de Labedoyere, the Marquise de Ca-
dere, and two aides-de-cam of the Emperor.
Each street was literally jammed with hunl7
beings. The windows were filled, while the r°°
of the houses were covered with adventurous boys/
all anxious to see their Sovereigns. The t°,.:91,„
enthusiastic shouts were raised. " Viva 1 Em.
pereur !" " Vive l'lmperatrice !" " Vive le Prat'
Imperial!" were yelled by all sorts of voices, 13,1_1;
mistakably heartfelt in their sincerity. -voile Wet
Imperial cortege was thus passing along, a,rs°o!
pleasing incident occurred. A large 13°11 a
English persons who reside near Tarbes ,bai„
placed among the banners that were floating Pr„l
Min's glorious standard. As the Emperor Pass':
by, the gentleman holding it lowered his colaurel
in token of respect, while a genuine, hearty, reer
John Bull hurrah completely drowned all e
eth,, f
acclamations. Charmed at this pleasing act_
e,
courtesy, their Majesties most graciously testin;
their areciation of it, and once more Britlof
lungs sent up a hearty cheer for the Sovereign
her
France. The Empress was, so it seemed by sod
manner, really pleased, for she turned againthe
again to nod and smile her2smeetest smile 1" sin
sons of Albion, who could but bow and shout ag
an
and again, as the beautiful and charming 11°„13/00,
so graciously thanked them. The cortege kePt to
and at last it neared the villa of M. Fould, yfue,„.,
their Majesties were to alight. Here were ass%,
bled all the children of the different schools i little
n t
vicinity, and they in their turn waved their
banners and shouted " Vive le Prince Impe.ra; the
Arrived at the villa, their Majesties receivea .ng
civil and religious authorities of the place. Thirl
n'Dee.
the receptions the Prefect of the Hautes Pyre ear
and his Excellency the Minister of State stood n
the Emperor. The Archbishop of Tarbes clactity,
at the head of his clergy, and addressed their qhe
sties somewhat at length. In his answer t
°,
,Archbishop, the Emperor mentioned his ardent 0°
lieitude for the interests of the Church, and ass,ele
him of his sincere esteem for the clergy. After IPf
M. Fould addressed their Majesties as President of
the General Council. The Emperor made a long
and appropriate response, spoke of his having "the
desired to visigarbes, and feelingly referred t° the
fact that it was this department that had taken the
initiative in demanding the restoration. of
Empire.►
After some presentations, the Mayor of Tar to
M. le Vicomte de la Garde, made an addrehaShe
their Majesties, during the delivery of whicireost
was much moved, and at times seemed s
choking with emotion. I observed that this_d to
course and the warmth of its delivery seenle_vt,„
move the Emperor much, and he gave a 11%1,
shake of the hand to M. de la Garde, thant"
him warmly.
After these official presentations and addresBel,l;
the young ladies of the town, all dressed in 171'00
and wearing blue scarfs, presented to the Einkreta
a bouquet of the finest flowers, and one of the
made a little speech, at the conclusion of vilha,ed
Empress thanked them all and kissed the fore -a.
of the fair orator, who blushingly seized the hau.
of her Majesty and kissed it again and agtr
During the reception the Emperor gave a nw°l-.,„
of decorations to persons who had been recow.
mended to him by the Minister of State. At saps'
o'clock o'clock a grand dinner was partaken of by they-
Majesties and suite, and a number of persons sp°'
cially invited. After the meal most of the notable
persons of the country paid their respects to the
Imperial couple, and at nine o'clock fireworks were,
let off in the park. All around it an immense crowd
of persons was gathered, and loud and continued
shouts of " Vive l'Empereur !" " Vive
trice !" were kept up. The town was beautifully;
illuminated. Streets, houses, arches of triumph, r
were glaring with light; while, to crown all, the
weather was magnificent. The most perfect order
prevailed, and all agreed that this was the wort
happyweTnht
eto dn aevyxi
visit
Tarbest th e morning
thado town
tnehveae
and
dk na 01l w n
Emperor
and Empress
the
principal esta-
blishments. There was the same eager and excit a
crowd ready to receive them, and just as many an.
Eas hearty were the shouts of welcome their preserved forth. Their -Majcsties were unaccomPanie f
by an escort, save the ladies and gentlemen °
their household. The Empress, as is her usual et
torn in all the cities she visits, inspected the asyln""
and houses of refuge. During this visit the E°l),Pe—
;
ror, accompanied by M. Fould, went to see '
horses at the imperial depot. He visited the stablest
with care, and expressed satisfaction with the e°,3%
cavalry. Many of the neighbourin
dition of the horses kept there for the use of kl
also brought their best horses to show, and nne
Emperor conversed with some of these Pers-tio;
giving counsel as regards the improvement of
breed. His Majesty then visited a garden, .Twe
I communal property, called le Jardin IVlassey. a
was much pleased to see that its cultivation oe,
ornamentation were extremely. fine. Haviug....nea
versed the whole of the town the Emperor return at
cr farmers halite
to the villa, and their Majesties breakfasted for
eleven o'clock, preparatory to their depart reties
St. Sauveur. As, a last thing, their g• siog
visited the Catherdal of Tarbes. A most irnPrch...
ceremony took place at the church. The wait.
bishop was ready to receive their Majesties, Wt.
ing on the grand steps for them in his robes of
i
ld-
mony. Their Majesties having entered the bua
ing, remained kneeling during the services, an.
when leaving they turned near the door toWel'!
sr;
the altar to make the sign of the Cross unable.
out. At this moment the crowd seemed
and
keep in any longer their pent-up enthusias_
tremendous shouts of Vive l'Empereur
l'lmperatrice !" caused the walls of the old U
dial to ring again and again. Their Majesties athe
no• .
took their departure amid the loudest huzzas
most sincere and loyal populace, and Tarbest
free to gossip and talk about this the greatest efe;
most pleasing event that has occurred with'. tt
walls for half a century.