The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-03-21
LOUIS NApoLEoN'S FATHER.


Goethe and he were much thrown together, un.
der the following circumstances, detailed by Null
Ter in his conversations with Goethe.
''lt was the tenth of November, 1910, shortly
alter Goethe returned from Topliz that he com.
municated to me the following circumstances re-
latng to his stay there. | wrote them down i'm
mediately, exactly as he told me.
"When the king of Holland arrived he hired
the house in which Goethe was residing. Goethe
would have instantly quilted it., and have Vacat-
ed the whole etage, but the king would not per-
nit it, protesting that at all events he should not
make any use OF it.
Goethe had thus very frequent opportunities of
seeing him; indeed he lived with him for a con-
siderable time, separated only by the door of a
bedroom. My memory is sufficiently fathfult 10
enable me TO give an accurate report OF his opin.
ions OF the king, having written down what he
said the same evening""
The following opinions formed of the king of
Holland, by so sagacious and eminent an obsery-
er, will surprise many who have been taught TO
despise the endowments of the President of the
French.
"Louis,' SAID Goethe, sis perfect incarnation
OF kindness and at1ability, as is brother Napoleon
is, of force and power. Strangely, indeed, are
the qualities Of the brothers OF the family ming
led and apportioned. Lucian, for instance, de-
spised crown, and occupied himself with art a.
Rome. The abdcation OF another crown in such
stormy times, seemed inevitable for the gentle
Louis. Midness and kind -heartedness mark his
very footsteps. 1t was therefore no obsnacy as
has been imagined, that led him to take such
decided course in opposition to his brother On
the contrary, Louis is one Of the gentlest, most
peaceful characters have ever met with in the
course of my life but as natural consequence
everything contrary TO law, to justice, to human.
ity, wounds him TO the Utmost soul and is revolt
ing to his very nature. He cannot endure to see
an animal tormented, horseil treated, child
unhappy; you it in his demeanor, in eyery
feature his blood bos at it; it makes him un-
happy TO witness an ungentIe word or deed nav.
even TO hear it recounted Inadvertent imprO.
prIeties or offences directed against his own per-
son, he torgves much more readily. A besuti-
| fully constituted soul tranquil, collected tenn
! per in the back ground, God-without the east
religious ianaticsm ;--tbese are Louis first and
most essential qualities, and go to form perfect
| ly unspoled, genuine character, which is in no
respect the result of training or teaching but is
the spontaneous and peculiar growth Of his beau.
tiul nature. Religion shines like silver thread
| through all his conversations and opinions: she
| brightens the dark ground OF his somewhat mel
ancholy views OF life. Whatever event painful.
ly touches his exquisite moral sensb lity. thus
imme diately receives gentle repulse
He rejec every thing which, according to his
feelings is unjust and contrary 10 the divine com
|
of his judgment on many points; but this is album.
dainty out-weighed by the serenity OF a temper
that not all the unhappy circumstances in which
he has been placed could ruflie. The times are
in his opinion, most perplexed and evil; but il
no wise follows that they will remain so. One
must on no account utter any maxim in his pres
ence which is in contration to any OF his views
of christian morality, or as tendency to loosen
its obligations; on such occasions he is silent re-
served, d1zu WltuurawS from tueir convere.t;on.
always without strife or controversy
"When he came to Toolitz he was so veal tb,,
ne was Obliged to be led, but he grew better -
how 50 tender and sensitive a being could s,,,
coed in lighting through the hard battle betweon
Holland and his iron brother, without having ,ba
whole texture OF his nerves torn to rays. and he0
coming himself the victim, is problem new,
e0uiu so'Ne' / ne force OF mind which thus rails
eu ana supported MIN above conflicting circnm.
stances, is worthy OF admiratioe What he tbon,,h.
ne owed to renow ned nation as its chief. ,p5at
TO himself, alter he was once recognized n -
oil Holland, he acted up to, in opnosi,ion -
| france and TO his brother, with all that severe
| moral earnestness which is part OF his nature
FROM the moment that Napoleon smoke .,
the scheldt, the Rhine, and the Maese, as mere
~ the great arteries Of the body OF the French
empire; from the moment that he showed bis ~,
Ter disregard Tor the blood which the brave fore.
ianetS ol '',e lano mad shed under Philip the Sec
ond, IN order that Holland might he 49,
nothing remained TO Louis but to ou,t ,ha'
the dignity OF which he thought he couId noIa'
ger upnoid' his was no step sat by him 70 CIV.
cite attention or applause; the contrary Tho
outward act was mere expression of The most
| inward convictions OF a being to whom trannni1
| ity and the peace OF good conscience o. a.
most measurable OF treasures;-far above tho
| possession of a throne'' ''e