Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-18
FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
Mr.. Richard Golden lately offered to wager
ten thousand pounds against one shilling that
Louis Napoleon would never attempt to invade
England, but it is evident that neither the En-
glish Government nor the English people are to
be convinced by this sort Of logic. Ever since
the '.nephsw of the uncle" assumed the supreme
direction of affairs in France, as President of the
Republic, for four years, England has been agta.
ted by doubts, misgivings and apprehensions.-
Each successive step by which Louis Napoleon
mounted the imperial throne, gave her fresh
cause for uneasiness, and when at last she saw
the whole French nation bow down in dsferen-
tial homage to the will of her hereditary foe.
and bind itself to execute his will, she longer
hesitated, but made mill tary preparations to meet
any emergency that mi ght arise. Within the
last year a militia force OF $1,000 men has been
embodied and trained, and preparations have
been made for calling out SO, 900 more next year.
The Notifications of the island have everywhere
been inspected and put in state of efficiency.
whilst an unusual activity prevails in the dock
yards. A formidable naval force is held ready to
be sent into the British channel at a moments
warning.
But the English press continue to harp on this
subject and to urge the propriety of further pre-
paratons. 1t is clear that the French Emperor's
pacific professions are received with many grains
OF allowance by his British contemporaries, and
that deep-seated distrust of his intentions pre-
walls among the m. Eng land breads coup de main.
She does not fear open declaration of war, but
entertains nervous apprehension of being taken
unawares-ot being surprised by Louis Napoleon.
as that worthy caught the republican generals
en- dishabile.
Many persons in England like Mr.. Golden,
ridicue the idea ola French invasion, but when
we consider the character of the new Emperor,
his past declarations, and the necessities
Of his position, we cannot help thinking that
sach an attempt on his part is not at all
improbable. Louis Napoleon once declared
that he represented principle, cause,
and defeat-the principle, the sovereignty of
the people opposed to Legitimacy; the cause,
the Empire; the defeat Waterloo" He has
already established the .principle," and won the
cause, but it still remains for him to avenge the
.defeat." Is it probable that he will rest salts
fed with what he has done, and abandon the
idea over which he has brooded from boyhood, of
wiping out the memory of that great disaster
which shook to pieces the throne of his ancestor
consigned him to a barren rock in another he
misphere, there to pine and persh-crushed the
military pride of the French people, aud laid the
nation PROSTATE at the feet of their invaders?-
These things can never be forgotten by France,
nor by Louis Napoleon, who has not only the
national .'defeat" to retrieve but personal ven-
gsance to wreak on the enemies and destroyers of
his uncle. A successful war with England would
make Louis Napoleon the idol of the French ma
ton. aud probably establish his power on an i'm
movable foundation.
The French Emperor is said to have adopted
in early youth the fatalst notions of the first
Napoleon. He has always believed it to be his
destiny to re-establish the Empire, and it would
seem from the sentiment we have quoted above,
that he believes himself commissioned by fate to
avenge the defeat of Waterloo. If, az there is
every reason to suppose, he has long cherished
this dream in pove exile. and Imprisonment,
If he has chung to it with ssperstitous tenacity,
through long years of adversely, it is not likely
that he will abandon it now, in the plenitude of
his power, wealth and fame. La late number
of tho North British Review we find au article on
French affairs, in which the writer touches on
this feature of Louis Napoleon's character.
But we shall greatly and dangerously misconceive
Louis Napoleon ifw regard him ofshrewdness
reflection and calculation only The most prominent
feature of his character is wild irregular romamesque
magination-whch often overrides all his reasoning
ands tn
attempts which seem insane if they fail and the of
splendid audacy if they succeed. The abortions of
Strasbourg and Bouogne, and the coup deat of last
December were equally the dctates-alike the legti.
mate progeny-of the mental popularity. He be-
heves too In his "star He a binder and rash
er fatast than his uncle From early childhood he be-
eved himself destined to restore the Dynasty of the
Buonapartists and the old glores of the Empire He
brooded over this imagined destiny during long year. Of
exile and in the weary days and nights of his prison
ment, till acquired in his fancy the soldity and dmen-
mons OF an ordained fact He twice attempted to pluck
he pear before it ripe. His ludcrous failure in no
degree discouraged him, shook his conviction of ut
mate success He only waited for another opportunity
and prepared for itwith seduous diligence and
caution. He "bded his timer the time came he struck
and won After such soccess-ater having risen in four
years from being impoverished exile being Emperor
OF France-after having played the bodest stroke for
empire known In modern hstory-ater having discount.
fed deceived and overpowered the ceverest the most
popular the most eminent, and the experienced
men in France.-we may well believe that his faith in
his destiny is confirmed and rooted almost to the mitch
OF monomania, and that future achievement no fur
ther pinnacle of greatness will seem wild or impossible.
him, after Past eyentful marvellous and deor.;
zing."
WING MEETING.
1t will BIO seen from the notice 10 another col
umn that the Wings of this city are requested
20 meet at the African Church to night. for the
purpose of nomi mating candidates for the various