The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-17 00:00:00

THE LATE M. AI?BATUCCI.

M. Fould, Minister of State, delivered the fol-
lowing address at the conclusion of the funeral ser-
vice over the remains ofM. Abbatucci, in the chapel
of Pero la Chaise :

" Gentlemen,—An unexpected calamity, a profound
grief, has brought us together. For the fifth time in six
years we have been btmraoned to pay the last honours
to a Minister of the Emperor. Our colleague, our
friend, he who has fallen before the time usually allotted
to man, Jacques Pierre Charles Abbatncoi, was born in
1792, in that island which has been the cradle of thelm-
perial dynasty. Hie family, for a long period illustrious
for their military services, gave three generals to Italy
and two to France. His three uncles died on the field
of battle. At the peace another career was opened to
the young Abbatucci, in which he was destined
to acquire a reputation not less insetting.
In the year Islo he entered the magietraoy.
to which he belonged during 33 years, and
through every stage of which he passed. Elected to the
Chamber of Deputies in 1839, be gave proofs In this
double career of the highest integrity, of remarkable
penetration, aad of the firmest independence. As deputy
he voted fer Parliamentary reform; as magistrate he
delivered a speech in the Constituent Assembly, damson-
, st!ating the incompatibility of the national repreeentntion
with the functions of a paid servant of the State.
Suiting his actions to his votes, he refused in 1840 to
become First President, and in 1849 he vacated his
seat in the Court of Cessation to defend in the Le-
gislative Assembly the cause of order and the true
principles of government. Shortly after, the Emperor,
who esteemed him, and who was acquainted with him
previous to his being called to direct the destinies of
France, re warded a noble career—a constant fidelity—by
confiding to him the office of Minister of Jeetice. He
thus became and remained during nearly six years the
respected and beloved chief of that magistracy, with all
whose wants and all whose obligations he was acquainted,
because he had religiously practised all its duties. En-
dowed with great perspicacity, a prompt and accurate
jadgment, his advice, while deputy, was always sought
and always attended to by the political party to which he
belonged; animated with feelings of indulgent imparti-
ality, which proceeded'frons long experience and a noble
soul, he was an excellent judge of human nature, and dur-
ing his period of office, which prematurely closed, he di-
rected the magistracy by inspiring all its members with
a feeling that their merits were appreciated. His great
kindness of heart gave a greater value to his favours,
and be knew how to mitigate the pang of a refusal
.when
necessary. Our laws bear lastivg marks of his inspira-
tions, By him criminal prosecutions have been accele-
rated—appeals from the police courts have been usefully
centralised, and civil death has disappeared from our
code. Other labours, unfinished but not lost, attest his
solicitude for a progressive and continuous impulse to oar
legislation. To the councils of the Emperor he brought
that moderation and sagacity which intellects of a high
order derive from a long participation in political
events. For these reasons our grief will long survive
this melancholy ceremony in the recollection of us, his
colleagues and friends, who were the daily witnesses of
the firmness of his opinions and the sauvity of his tem-
per. That firmness and that suavity did not desert him
at the hour of death—in his struggle with suffering,
even when science sought a doubtful chance of recovery
by the most painful of operations. The death of so
virtuous a man is a lesson and a consolation. He
found within his own breast the best consolation for
an incurable malady. The numerous proofs of affte•
tion which were so justly given him by the magis-
tracy and the highest order of our fellow-citizeee,
the spontaneous effusion of ancient friendship—a last
and affecting message from the Emperor—the pious
devotion of his children, gave tranquillity to his last mo-
ment. After being in communion with God he ceased
to live—surrounded by his children, and pressieg their
hands in his until it was fresen by death. None of
those who were acquainted with you can forget you,
dear and regretted colleague ! Your memory will live
for ever in the hearts otyour children, who are so worthy
of you. It will be loved and honoured by those who
survive
to continue the common work, and who in say-
ing Farewell' to you for the last time, implore of Pro-
vidence to inspire them with your example and your de-
votedness to the publics good.".