The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-16
Fire-siee 7Nisceiia0y.
LOuiS Napoleon

LVub NupVitVu
The North British Reriep, for Feb
ruary, is an very able and interesting
article on " The Prospects Of France
and the Dangers Of England" in which
the probabilities Of war between the
two countries are discussed, draws the
following portrait Of LOUIS NAPOLEON.
To our notion it is eminently graphic
aud beautiful -
In the first place, it is quite certain,
and is now beginning TO be admitted,
even by his biiterest enemies, that Lou
is Napoleon is not the foolish imbecic
il was so long the fashion TO consider
him. Those who aided in recalling him
to France, and elevating him to the
Presidency, under the impression that
one so silly and borne would be render
ed plant tool in their hands, soon
found they reckoned without their host.
His mind, it is true, is neither capa-
cious. powerful, nor well.stored but
his moral qualities are of the most rare
and scrviccable kind. His talents are
ordinary, but his perseverance, tenacity,
power OF discrimination. and inAexiblty
Of will, are extraordinary. He is me-
morable and most instructive example
that great achievements are within the
reach Of very moderate intellect, when
that intellect is concentrated upon SIN
gle object, and linked with unbendng
| and undaunied resolution. Moreover
his mental endowments, though neither
varied nor comprehensive, are very
vigorous. lie is naturally shrewd, Sc
cret, and impenetnble. He has the
invaluable faculty Of silence. He has
too, been a patient and wide observer
He has studied politics in Switzerland
in America, and in England he is, too
a deep thinker. He ponders much
which few Frenchmen do. His sis
years captivity in Ham matured ant
strengthened, by silent meditation, what
ever natural capacities he may have
possessed. He writes well, and speak,
we'll and all his writings and speeches
even where they betray the narrow lin
its Of his knowledge, indicate an emi
nently thoughtful mind. He has brood
ed over the history, politics, and socia
condition Of France, till on these sub
jecis he is probably one of the best in,
formed men in the country, though, like
most Of his countrymen, welded 10 many
absurd and impraeticable crotchets
which a better knowledge Of politica
economy would explode.
at is certain, also, that whatever h,
says and does is his own. lie acts an,
speaks for himself. without interference
aud without assistance. He listens Il
every one, asks advice from no one
gives his inierlocutors no idea whethe
or not their arguments have made tn
least impression upon him, but rcvolve
his plans in the gloomy reeesses Of hi
own brain, and brings them forth matur
ed homogeneous and unexpected. Th
minuiest details OF the coup d'etat wer
arranged by himself All ofihose from
Cbangarnier and Thicrs down TO Eau
cher who have endeavored TO lead driv
or govern him, have all been bafilet
ouiwittcd and east aside. When h
rose at the table at Bordeaux to max
his recent celebrated speech, he obser
we'd 10 his Minister Of Foreign Affair
who sat next him---s Now ! am goin
to asionish you not a little" When b
announced his intention Of visiting Ab
el Kader at Amboise, General s
: Amand expressed his hope that Lou
Napoleon would not think Of liberatin
Fl him, made long speech exposiiory I
all the evils that would result from sue
a piece OF QuixotIe generosity. and qui
{ ted the President quite satisfied tha,
I had succeeded in bAnishing any cue
scheme from his thoughts. Nor was
lili he had actually heard Loais Nap
leon announcing to his captive his n
preaching freedom, ihas he was ava
hos much good argument he had throw
= away. Whatever therefore u sagaci
It or wisdom is displayed 10 Ihe langaai
or conduct Of the new Emperor. ma
he credited 10 himself alone.
sBui we shall greatly and danserou
" misconcclvc Louis Napoleon, Il '
regard him as man Of shre~dness' :
firciion. and calculation osiy. The md
promineni feature Of his character Is
= !. Wild. irregular ronaass-uS imaginni'o
Z which often overrides all 81. rvaso
- ins and rcfec,isr faculties, and spn
" him on to actions aud attempts wh'
seem iossae lf,hey fsi aad She aenne