The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-27


in the middle Of it, appearing but little satisfied
with his adversary, and still less with himself for
the tone Of levity with which he had resumed
the conversation. He at once changed bis man
ner, and began to speak more composedly, still
continuing to pace the room. AS he passed To
and fro, he glanced at tho mirrors which orna-
{ mented the walls, and reflected the grave yisage
of the pontiK, eying him now and then in pro-
file. never in 'front.' to avoid appearing anxious
as to the impression his words may make.
"One thing must say holy father, hangs
heavily upon me: it is that you seem to consent
to the coronation by con .traint as you did form
erly to the concordat. AS you st there before
me, you have the air of martyr and assume an
attitude Of resignation, AS if you were making
an offering of your sorrows up TO Heaven. But
4 surely you are not prisoner; such is not your
7 position in any sense grand Dieu you are free
Us air"
/ Plus smiled and looked him full in the face
lie seemed to feel how enormous was the ext
gance of that despotic character, which requires
| and all such natures do the llke--not only
obedience but submission, absolute submission,
and that too, wearing the air OF devotion to their
will.
"Yes" continued Bonaparte, with increasing
energy, "you are free, perfectly free: you may
{ return to Rome the road is open to you; no
one detains you"
Plus sighed, slightly raised his right hand,
and looked upwards without uttering word
then slowly iuclining his he'd downwards,
seemed to look attentiyely ut II golden cross
| which hung from his neck. Bonaparte continued
speaking, but his steps became slow, and at the
5 same time he gave marked degree Of mildness
, to his tone, and of courtesy to his expression.
"Holy father" said he, 'if the gravity ofyour
character did not forbid me, would say that
| hat f.f, Va, AZ, ~
seem to retain sufficient recollection Of the
) vices which France has rendered to you. If
! am not much mistaken, the Concave Of Venice,
which elected you, appeared to have taken its
5 inspiration from my Italian campaign, and from
: some words which let fall with regard to you.
= 1t cannot be said that Austria behaved well to
i you; far from it; and was really sorry for it,
O II my memory does not deceive me, you were
IS obliged to return to Rome by sea, as you could
# not have ventured to cross the Austrian terri
e tories"
r He stopped short, as if waiting for reply
o from his silent guest. Plus, however, but silent
d ly inclined his head, and then sunk back into a
sort of apathy, which seemed inconsistent with
II even listening; whilst Bonaparte, putting his
it foot on the rim Of stool, pushed it near the
TT Pope's chair, and thus continued: alt was, in
st god TRUTH as Catholic that such an incident
e gave me pain; for though have never had time
Is to study theology, have great confidence in
" the power of the church; it has prodigious
1t vitality Voltaire did it some damage in his time,
d but shall let loose upon him some unfrocked
n oratorians; you'll be pleased, if l mistake not
!" at the result. Now see, you and (may do many
e things in common by and by, if you wish it,
a Then with an air Mt once juvenile and careless,
II he continued "For my part do not see-l am
3 weary of conjecturing- objection you can
* II IL, Da~,, fnr
6 Iy was in Avignon. will cede to you the. pal
t ace of the Tueres | seldom occupy it. You
will find there your apartments prepared for you,
$ as at Monte Cavao. Do you not see, padre,
3 that Paris is the capital of the world? As for me
e shall do whatever you desire. You will find in
: me more docty than people give me credit for.
/ Provided that war and politics, with their fati-
gues be left to me, you may settle the church
j. as YOU please shall be soldier at your orders.
(. Do but consider what effect IL would have, and
b how brilliant il would be, were we to hold our
!, councils as Constantine as Charlemagne did
g in their time | should merely upon and close
8 them, leaving the keys of the world in your
hands. AS with the sword came, the sword
/ should retain, and with it the privilege of bring
4 ing it back for your benedction after every VIC
: tory achieved by arms" And in saying
/ these words he slightly bowed
fl Plus, who up to that moment had remained
\ less AS statue, slowly raised his head, smiled
3 pensively, and drawing deep sigh breathed out
, one by one the syllables Of the word, Com
me-di-dnte"
The word was scarcely half out, when Bona
Q parte made bound on the floor like a wounded
\ leopard A towering passion seized him; he be-
a came yellow with ire He bit his lips almost
to bleeding as he strobe to the end of the ROOM
2 He no longer paced round in circles; he went
\ IL ..,,tl. - ,,,fu =.
e word, stamr:ng with bis feet as he swept along,
e and making the room resound as he struck the
r, floor with his spurred heels Everything around
him seemed to vibrate the very curtains waved
e ike trees in storm. At length the pent up
a rage found vent, and burst forth like bomb
/ she'll which explodes -" Comedian, say you
h All. ba am he That viii play you comedies to
Il make Won weep like women and chidren.--
e Comedian, indeed But you are greatly mis-
g taken if YOU think you can play off on me, with
/ IMMUNITY, your cool-blooded insolence. Come
e dian Where is my theatre, pray and what
: IT'S the world, and the part of which play is
Y that Of master and author; whilst for actors
!; have the whole of you--pcpes, kings, and peo
4 ple and the cord by which move you all is
fear Comedian, say you! But he who would
!, dare to hiss me or applaud, should be made Of
: different stuff from you Signor Chiaramont!
y Know you not well that you would still be
:, merely poor cure but for me, and that If did
n wear serious air when saluted You, France
n would laugh TO scorn yourself and your tiara
r. Three or four years ago, who would pronounce
n aloud the name of the founder of your system
PRAY, then, who would have spoken of the Pope!
, Comedian, eh Sire We take footing rather
= quickly amongst u.s. And so, forsooth, you are
in i'll bumor with me- because am not dolt
4 enough to sign away the liberties of the CALI
!, can church, rs Louis XIV did. But | am not
|, to be duped in that fashion In my grasp
a hold you by nod make you fit from North
/ To South, from East to West like so many pup
! pets And now, when il suits me to make be-
lieve that county you for something. merely be-
cause you represent an antiquatcd idea which
! wish 70 revive YOU have not the wit TO see my
driit. or affect not to perceive it. Seeing, then