Washington telegraph., 1852-08-25
Louis Napoleon---Curious Anecdote.

The political leader in the July number of
Rackcood written probably by ALISON, the His
torian, represents in most striking light the dam
ger to which England is exposed, ofinvasOn sOOn-
er or later from France. 1t relates the following
curious anecdote, which we have never before
seen in print, and which strikingly illustrates
a very remarkable feature in the character of
"Princc LOUIS NAPOLEON, like his uncle, is very
superstitious, and always carries amulet, taken
from the tomb OF CHARLEMAGNE, on his person.
He is known to have said in this country, long
before he left it to accept the Presidency of the
French Republic: 1T may appear presumptious
in me to wear that amulet but have an Unborn
conviction in my mind that l am one day to be
the ruler of france. When | am SO, | shall first
extinguish the license of the Press in Paris and
then attack England | shall do SO with regret,
for have been kindly received there, and it con-
tains many Of my best friends; but Imust fn.A my
mission and carry out that which kno,c my uncle
had most at heart-I Que that to his memory In
pursuance of these views, he has Just decreed SO,
900 men to his regular army.o
The whole history of Louis Napoleon's life
shows beyond all possibility of doubt, that thor
Ough-g going fanaticisIn,-an unbounded confidence
in his own destiny,-is one of the most prominent
features in his character. Persons who met him
in England during his exile, and all who saw him
during his Imprisonment at Ham, know that he
constantly lclI eApIeSScu HloSI
viction that the reverses he was then suffering
could not last;-that it was his inevitable destiny
to become the ruler of France; and that no power
on earth could prevent that consummation. This
the secret of his repeated attempts at the in
vasiOn of France; attempts so absurd and puerile
as to render inevitable the conviction of his in
sanity, except when viewed in the light of this
marked trait in his character.
All history shows that this kind of lanaticism,
seeming sometimes to approach absolute unacy;
gives prodigous power to the will and often leads
to the accomplishment of marvellous results. 1t
was the main basis of the wonderful achievements
of Joan of Arc, and formed no inconsiderabe part
in the resistess energy and determination OF CRoM
WELL and NAPOLEON. When any man is once
thoroughly convinced that he is marked out by
Heaven for the achievement of great deeds, he is
not to be deferred from prosecuting them by trlil
ing obstacles He feels that he is under special
protection, and this conviction supplies that
age and fearless hardihood of endeavor, which are
usually the surest pledges of success. Louis Ma
poleon, since his usurpation, has repeatedly evinc
ed the extent to which ne is under the influence of
this faith, in his public addresses, as well as by
the whole course of his policy.
ALisoN, in the article alluded to, exposes at
length, and with great ability, the circumstances
in the present condition of England which seem
favorable to such an attempt. He lays special
stress upon the disposition of the IRISH to avail
themselves of the first opportunity that may offer,
to achieve their own delIverance. and quotes from
various leading journals to show, that the moment
England should become involved in any European
war, would be seized by Ireland as the occasion
for her own redemption. Campaign Times.