The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30

that would give M. Bonaparte, President of the
Republic much pleasure by consenting TO pass
the evening with him Surprising that that much
tormented person had not enjoyed himself much
since his election, OF at least since seeing the
bright face Of Chevalier Wykoff, tsee Democratic
RerieD for that gentemans account of his visit to
the Presidency | could not find it in my heart to
refuse him the pleasure he solicited At half past
ten therefore, | was at the Elys6e. The gate OF
the court was guarded by soldiers on horseback
and on foot; the court itself was filed with car
riages, the broad flight of steps before the door
was covered with rich carpeting, and at each end
stood dense crowd Of liveried footmen and out
riders waiting there the orders or exit Of their
masters and mistresses enjoying themselves inside
A port'y servant threw open the glazed door, and
| found myself in the entry. Half dozen lack
eys in the well-known livery Of the Emperor, were
in waiting One took my cloak. As passed into
the antechamber of the saloons, another took the
card of invitation, and in the next moment was
in the midst of the most polished society in the
world Two immense saloons connected with
each other, and forming two sides of triangle, a
! long narrow gallery thrown from one TO another
! across the hypothenuse, and one or two handsome
| pqrlors, were well filled, and persons detached
! from the crowd were wandering through a long
suite of handsome, well-lighted rooms The Pres.
ident was in one of the large saloons, surrounded
by hundreds Of persons, talking in the interval:
| TO him, and then forced 10 retreat betase Sac
whiring mob of pretty women, put in move
ment by the first sounds of the music Happy
man, if he never have to fly before a pres
sure less gentle! A Diplomatic friend, who had
pointed out to me some of the celebrities present
offered TO present TO the hero of Strasburg and
Boulogne our princely host. As he probably had
| very little to say to me, and absolutely moth
ing to say to him, | declined the offer hut
who knows what may have lost by this indifer-
ence Had | only whispered to my friend to
| present me as the counryman Of Wykof the
prophet and chevalier, | might have got place in
the next Cabinet and at any rate nothing less
than an ambassadorship could have come of it.
But we never know when to take at the food the
tide which leads TO fortune
As | stood, for some time, only few feet from
| the President, had the best opportunity for OBJ
| serving him. He was dressed simply and in
very good taste nothing indicating his position
except a broad green riband across the breast
| This was worn by the minister's also His man.
! ners are simple and easy tiDged, however, with
an almost imperccptbe air Of reserve. There
was not the slightest unusual ceremony in his in
| tercourse with his guests nothing to distinguish
~ S---~'eAAer .ceptlevO~-t- SSsts>.. WbSs No
been generally said about his stupidity of express
sippNssso NSt csTi ponS<S sA7 EsSlity i!Gw Gar
il may be the duty of man in high office to at
tempt looking bright, to have the glance of an
eagle the height of a column, and other qualities
attributed in NEUROLOGICAL and fairy books to all
kings, cannot pretend to decide But to judge
Louis Napoleon by the standard Of common hu-
manity should say that he ism at all of unpre-
possessing appearance, but rather of the contrary.
Nor is he so small as some love to paint him. If
you should see him without knowing who he is
iha -braJ ~
forty or whereabouts, about the middle size, well
formed and very slightly inclined to corpulency
You would probably say nothing about his intel
lectual expression, one way or the other. Persons
love to find in NJ. Bonapartes face the indications
of his political errors and folles If they should
apply the same rule to the other men who have
been in power in France, the Versailles galleries
would present nothing but rows Of idiotic physi-
ognOmies
Numerous celebrities thronged about the Pres
dent Among others | noticed M. Theirs, the
gentleman who enticed him into the Boulogne
folly in order to arrest him M. Mole, who acted
for years as his jailer; Marshal Soult, who OPP
posed in full council the petition of the prisoner
at Ham for permission to watch at the bedside of
his dying father, and return to his prison after
performing the last duties of son. There were
there also, Baroche, Rouber De Falloux and
hosts of others who formerly thronged the ga
looms of Ledru Rollin and Cavaignac, and who
have destroyed every power they have fattored,
like poisonous parasite vines which wither the
tree they pretend to shelter.
Then there were officers all shining with BRASS
gold and tinsel diplomatists shining with stars
and crosses; Turks in red caps with black tassels ;
blond Englishmen, and crowds of the loveliest
women. You need not suppose that all were IN
| full dress. One Of the most prominent figures
| in the waltzes was young Turk in frock coat
and black vest Not few black stocks and neck
cloths were sported by scedy-looking gentlemen
who were, perhaps part of the wreck of the En-.
pire left in distress on the republican coast.
The toilet Of the ladies was in exquisite taste
The dresses were of all colors and fashions, but
generally suited to the style of beauty of the
wearer, it being one peculiarity Of the French
ladies not to follow fashion that does not suit
them low dress is avoided if il shows q pair
of bony shoulders too sharp collar bone has
its angles hid by bow Of ribands; q ruff re
lieves a long neck the side hair in wavy tresse'
gives more fulness to a wan cheek, and touch o
paint efaces premature wrinkle. Why should
they not make themselves as agreeable as pos
sible
At midnight, the gay assembly was gayer thar
ever The dance the music, the stars, tn,
crosses the uniforms, the rich robes, the flashing
diamonds, the soft glance Of beauty, the generous
wines all added to the fascination Of the scene
left the palace, and got into the street. Th
first object that met my sight was a sunken-eyed
hollow checked woman, who with her two LITTLE
children asked for aims to save them from starva
ton. Yours, nc, w.
PS The debate on the bill for changing
the G ectoral law will not take place before eigh
or ten days. Three millions Of FieachRlen ars 10 b
| dSjranchuwd The Socialist leaders are preach
ing peace and submission. Whether they vii
be successful or not is rs yet doubtful w.