The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-19
From the Philadelphia Epening Bulletin.
Romance in Real Life.

A few years ago there lived IN New York
young Frenchman, whose pocket was understood
to he often empty, and whose head was gener-
ally considered to boast vacuum as great. He
was man of few words, his silence even go
ing to the verge of unsociabity, and his ac-
quaintances consequently were limited. Some
said his habits were coarse, his conduct licen-
tious, and his honesty more than questionable;
and, perhaps, there was as much truth in these
statements as there usually is respecting idle and
selfwilled young men, with no fixed religious
principles strong passions, and tastes above their
means. Suddenly this stranger disappeared from
New York, and soon ceased to be remembered
there, except by q few who laughed occasionally
at what they considered an insane dream, which,
it seems, haunted this young adventurer. He en-
tertained SO they said, the absurd idea that dest-
ny had great things in store for him. He believed,
in short, that he would yet mount the throne of
one Of the most powerful European Kingdoms,
and that nothing which could be done to prevent
the accomplishment of his fate would succeed. He
might, indeed, be kept out of his inheritance for
awhile; but of his triumph ultimately there was
no doubt whatever. This man, Us the reader may
have guessed, was the nephew and heir of Napo-
leon.
Twice. in pursuance Of the destiny which he
believed to be his, he invaded France, once be-
fore and once after his visit to this country. The
last time his means seemed SO inadequate to the
end he aimed at, that most men laughed in deri-
sion; in fact, one general shout of contempt went
up from one portion of Europe to another. 1t was
the fashion to call him fool, except with the
few who called him insane. For several years he
fingered in PRISON. condemned to Incarceration for
life in consequence of his last invasion of France,
and fingered there practically forgotten by the
world. At last, however, he managed to escape.
But so impotent was he considered generally, that
the news was scarcely regarded by any one. He
now went to London, but only to find the verdict
of New York repeated. Even the few sagacions
d. <1,o,1r fhoryr IN
him than met the general eye, forebore to state
their opinion publicly, lest their reputation for
sagacity might suffer. All at once, however, his
dreams turned up realities. Louis Philippe was
dethroned; n so-called republic was established in
Frances and the nation at large was called on to
elect a President The fool Of Boulogne, as he
was nicknamed, offered himself candidate.
He was elected by an immense majority. Once
in his seat he set to work to PROSTATE all other
rivals, and to destroy every party but his own;
and strange as it was then considered, this bold
undertaking. has succeeded. Cavagnac, Theirs,
Montalembert, and every other leader Of emf
nence, he out-manDuvred and ruined. He is now
consequently Emperor of France.
But this is not all. Scarcely had he been seated
in his imperial chair, when the horizon of eastern
Europe became ominous with war. Month by
month the clouds have thickened, in spite of mo-
mentary glimpses of sunshine, and now there is
every prospect of the commencement of general
European struggle. 1t only depends, in truth, on
the will of this man, the former ndventurcr in New
York, tho STOOL of Boulogne, to say whether war
shall break out or not. England, trembling for
her manufacturing and commercial interests, is
willing to permit Nicholas to occupy the Danubi-
an principalitics, sooner than to draw the sword.
But if the French Emperor declares that this
cupation cannot be submitted to; if he says that
France, sooner than permit the outrage will cross
the Rhine alone, England, in self-defence, will
be compelled to take up arms; and the armng of
these two powers involves, as every one knows, a
continental war; Thus Louis Napoleon holds in
his hands the destnies of Europe. His decision
will turn the scale. He can save Turkey, or give
the Gar Constantinople. He raise Hungary,
Italy, and Poland to their feet, keep them pros
trate, and do either with word. The man who,
few years ago, could scarcely command din
ner in New York, now orders the fate of war or
peace in Europe, and, perhaps, the fate of west
ern civilization. Is not this romancas Where,
even in the Arabian Nights, is there anything to
surpass it