Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-29
SKETCHES OF CHARACTER.
Prom the Albany Daily Advertiser.
THE ACTORS IN TIE SCENE-No.
EDWARD, BARON BfoNoY.

EDWARD, BARON BfCNoN.
Baron BIgnon is now minister Of TO-
reign affairs. He is a native OF Nor
mandy. and is sixty eight years Of age.
He commenced his career as a private
soldier, and after having gained the
good will Of Gen. Huet, whose secre-
tary he became, he rose at length to
considerable Importance in diplomacy.
II is worthy Of remark, that a large
proportion Of the great men who have
figured in the tragi- comedy Of French
nffairs, have risen from the lowest grade
of service.
In the course Of events. he became
secretary Of legation at the Cisalpin
and Helvetic republics, and at the
court Of Berlin. He was next pleni-
potentiary at the court Of the Elector
OF Hesse Csssel.
10 1907, he was made intendant Of
Prussia, and other duties were COM
United to his care at Baden, Warsaw,
end wilma. In 1915, upon the bud
ding Of the violet" the return Of Ma
poleon from Elba. he was made direc-
tor Of correspondence for foreign ar
fairs and chosen a member OF the
chamber Of deputies. Tie signed the
capi'ulatioa Of the 5rd July, 1915, on
behalf ut the provisional government,
with the generals Of the allied army.
The biographer Of Bignon describes
him as a person Of small stature, but a
Hercules in mind, a polished man in
society, an admirer of the ladies, and
nm improvIsatore, yet vigorous cham
pion OF liberty, a firm friend Of the
people, and man OF eioquencc.
Among his principal acts in the
chamber OF deputies. Of which for ma
my years he has been the ornament, are
his demand for the departure of the al
lied armies, the recall of the exiied
Bonapartists, and his denunciation Of
the ministers for wasting the public
money. AS we'll as General Gerard,
he has eulogised from the Tribune
more than once "thc immortal Cap.
tain, whose fame must go down with
that Of Alexander and Of Cesar" On
one occasion, before the whole cham
Der, he told the celebrated Filleie that
his conduct was infamous!
Bignon is the author Of two celebra-
hNA OHE va Nnt
cd By the Directory towards the Cisal ..
pine republics the other a compare
tive exposition Of the moral, political,
aud financial state of France, and OF
the principal European powers. This
is rated very high by those who arc &C
quaIntcd with the subject.
II will be evident to our readers.
that the leading men 10 the provision
al government have been warm friends
Of Napoleon, and Il the time has come,
which General Foy, i0 1922. predict.
cd would come, that the echo Of praise
would yet be heard in the hall dccora-
ted with his trophies. We cannot refrain
from anticipating the re establishment,
Of the Napoleon dynasty, IA tie per
son Of the young Duke Of Reichs;adt.
This would have the effect To put down
Che Boufbons forever. and while all thc
necessary restrictions could be effected
by the liberals, both by a new charter
and the pledged faith Of the AasiriAu
government; on the ether hand, thC
enthusiasm Of the nation would end 4
field for its exercise IN the remem
branoe Of the glOries Of The Napoleon
name. The adalation which 10 get -
erotly bestowed upon tho character 81
this extraordinary man, By those whs
remember only his victories and hi'
renown, would soon bring iis Offering