Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-12
A SKETCH OF LOUIS NAPOLEON,

1 lie news oil TIE election OIL LOuS tNnpOeOn
to the Presidency of the French Republic, will
naturally excite some curiosity in regard TO
TO his history and public character. Hitherto
he has only been known through the foolish
affairs at SraSburg and Boulogne, his pub
lIshed works, notwithstanding the merits
claimed for them by his adherents, having
failed to enlarge his reputation. His life has,
nevertheless, been somewhat eventful. and he
does not lack the advantage of varied fortune
and severe experience. Whether he has pro-
fitted remains to be seen. From such hasty
materials as we could procure, we present the
following brief notice of his history -
Charles Louis Napoleon, son OF Louis, FIX
King of Holland. was born in Paris, on the
20th of April, 1908 His god -parents were
his childhood he was an especial favorite of
the former. On the return Of Napoleon from
Elba, he stood beside him on the Champ de
Mars, and when embraced by him for the last
time, at MaImaison, the young Louis, then a
boy of seven years, wished to follow him at
all hazards When the family was banished
from France, his mother removed TO Augs-
burg, where he received COOL German edu-
cation. He was afterwards taken 10 Switzer-
lana, where he obtained the right of citizen
ship, and commenced course OF military stu
dies After the July Revolution, by which
he was second time prescribed from France,
he visited Italy in company with his brother,
and in 1881 took part in popular insurrec-
ton against the Pope. This movement failed,
but he succeeded in making his escape, and,
his brother, dying at Forli the same year, he
visited England, and afterward returned to
| Switzerland where, for two or three years,
| he contented himself with writing poeti .al and
military works, which do not appear to have
been extensively read. The death of the Duke
of Reichstadt in 1882, gave a new impulse 10
his ambitious hopes His first revolutionary
attempt at Strasburg, in October, 1886, COM
pletely failed, but alter a short Imprisonment
in Paris. he was sent to this country. The
illness OF his mother occasioned his return the
| following year, and after visit to SWitZer-
land he took up his residence in Eng land IN
| til his second attempt at Boulogne, in 1910
In this affair several OF his followers were
killed. an he was himself taken and senten.
eel to Imprisonment for life in the Castle oil
Ham The particulars of his escape in May
| 1876; after an Incarceration OF six wears, are
! well known. From that time until the end oil
! September last, when he was returned as a
Deputy IN the National Assembly, from the
| Depart nent of the Seine, he has resided IN
England. A late Lonlon journal. in descri.
bing his mole of life, gives the following not
very flattering account:
g. He was INSCRIPTIONS in contracting oh
legations which We're wholly beyond bis
means of repayment: and his most serious
pursuit was the study Of alchemy, by which
he expected TO arrive al the discovery of the
philosophers stone. SO vigorously did he
prosecute this exploded science, at house
which he had fitted up as a laboratory al Cam
herwell, and so firm was his faith in the char
latan empire whom he employed to aid him
in transmitting thebaseF metals into gold, thai
he is said 10 have actually appropriated his
revenue in anticipation, and to have devoted
The first miliard of his gains 10 the payment
OF the national debt of France, in order 10 dc.
quire thus an imperial throne by purchase"
The large majority by which he was cleo
ted Representatives. stonished every one, an,
gave his followers the first encouragement tc
bring forth his name as candidate for the
Presidency. To defeat the acknowledged Re
publican party, he. received also the suppor
OF the Legitimsts and Orleanists. and those
combined influences have elected him by al
immense majority The rest must be left Il
Time and Fate-N. Y. Tribune