Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-07-02
Empress Eugenia and Mrs. Howard.

l.
mia Register under date of the 9th inst, gives
the following French nsorceau:
The Paris papers by this weeks steamer will
a,nounce to YOU the great affection which has
inst befallen the Imperial family; (ssIe grand
maheur qui Went de frapper la famile impe-
r;ale") but, for the very good reason that they
aare not, they viii not tell you Of the circum-
stances Which led to this misfortune. You and
your readers perhaps will scarcely credit what
relate, but assure you that here it is not only
believed, but vouched for by persons whose
veracity it is impossible to doubt In the sa-
leons, in the clubs, in the atelers, nothing else
i talked of: and the police is daily arresting
nersons imprudent enough to discuss the matter
h tl,e streets. You are probably aware that a
few days before his marriage, Louis Napoleon
dismissed Mrs. Howard the mother of his three
little girls, and She took refuge in England. He
Ind offered her IL residence and a pension in
France, but this she refused. Two weeks ago.
she returned to Paris, on business, probably,
though many say she came by the Emperor
request BE that as it may the Empress heard
her arrival, and was highly indignant that
shc should have been allowed to enter France.
Thereupon a conjugal Caudle scence ensued.
when Her Majesty declared that if she met Mrs.
Howard, she would punish her for her presump-
ton and give her lesson which she would re-
member His Majesty merely shrugged his
shoulders at this threat, doubtless thinking it
nothing more than an ebullition of words, which
would be forgotten with the Excitement which
caused it. He was TOO confident, and the En-
press was good as her promise. The very
Next day, while riding in the Bots de Boulogne
An her spirited AndaIusian, and accompanied
Aly by her ladies and grooms, she was stopped
aaih sr ..aanp fret ha KIM
hess was about to turn aside, and let the car
rage pass; but, giancing at It's occupant, she
recognized Mr. Howard and determining not
To give her the road, she reined up her horse,
and waited for the carriage to turn out of the
way But Mrs. Howard recognized her rival
also, aud calling up her pride and spirit, she or
dered her coachman not to give the road.
few words were exchanged between the
latter and the Empress attendant, but he refused
to 90 contrary to his orders. After moments
suspense. during which the two ladies u fasaient
As graatds yeur" made big eyes at each other,
the Empress galloped to the side Of the carriage,
and in a most impolte manner struck Mrs.
Howard with her riding whip. The other raised
her parasol, and, before the attendants could in
terfere, a regular battle began between the whip
and the parasol and the tongues of their owners,
until the whip, being the stronger of the two,
fnting on the carriage cushions, her toilette
and cnrls in deplorable state, while the En-
press who had received no visible damage, gave
Il triumphant little laugh, struck her spur into
her horses side and galloped away, followed by
her suite, every member of which was stupifsed
BY the scene Which they had been forced to
witness.
But crowd had already collected, and, a
few gems d'afmes coming up, Mrs. Howard was
carried into a house near by, where her wounds
for the lash had left more than one mark
upon her face and hands-weredresse and the
disorder Of her toilette repaired-and, when the
oilers had all departed, she repaired to Paris,
where she is still quite i'll. As to the Empress, she
finished her ride, and returned to the Tuilieries,
as if nothing had happened but that very night
NJ Dubois, who had received the appointment Of
aeeoUcher to Her Majesty only few days be-
FORE was sent for, and forty-eight hours after
wards the Empress became 50 unwel that there
was no longer any doubt that Louis Napoleon S
hopes of heir were going to be destroyed
The matter was, as much as possible, kept Sc
cret, and Her Majesty was reported as merely
suffering under slight indisposition But the
whole city was already talking of the scene in
the Bots de Boulogne, and the result of the in
disposition was anticipated several days before
isactually took place. On Friday last the En-
press life was iii danger for several hours /; but
thanks to the skillful treatment and Tile MASS the
Emperor ordered to be said in the Imperial
Chapel, she became better before night, and is
now rapidly eonvalescing.
The Emperor has been to see Mrs. Howard,
It's said, to express his sympathy, and sends an
j aide-de-camp twice day to inquire after her
health. Whether this is any proof that he takes
sides with his former favorite, it is hard to say,
for he is reported as being very attentive at the
bedside Of the Empress also. His anger at the
scandal caused by his wife's conduct must be
considerably modified by the reflection that love
for him was the motive, and gratifed vanity
VIII probably prevent his Gliding either lady for
her imprudence.
The different little trips to the north Of France
which were projected for the summer, will now
oe abandoned, and st. Cloud will be the I'm
perlal residence for the season, the physicians
having prescribed quiet and repose for her
Majesty. ..5-.ss. 4-z
4E He