Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-17
SELECT MISCELLANY.
A Romance in Real Life.


few years ago there lived in New York a
young Frenchman, whose pocket was understood
to be often empty, and whose head was general
| ly considered to boast vacuum as great. He was
a man of few words, his silence even going to
the verge of unsociabity, and his acquaintances
consequently were limited. Some said his habits
were coarse, his conduct licentious, and his hon.
esty more than questionable; and, perhaps, there
was much truth in these statements as there
usually is respecting idle and self-willed young
men, with no fixed religious principles, strong pas
sons. and tastes above their means. Suddenly
this stranger disappeared from New York, and
soon ceased to be remembered there, except by
few who laughed occasionally at what they con-
sidered an insane dream, which it seems, haunted
this young adventurer. He entertained so they
said the absurd idea that destiny 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 accomplish
ment ofhis fate would succeed. He might in
deed, be kept out of his inheritance for while;
but of his triumph ultimately there was no doubt
whatever. This man, as the reader may have
guessed, was the nephew and heir of Napoleon.
| 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 inadequte to
the end aimed at, that most laughed in derison !;
! in fact, one general shout of contempt went up
from portion of Europe to another. 1t was
the fashion to call him a fool, except with the
few who called him insane. For several years
| hal ,Jopo
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 gen.
orally, that that news scarcely regarded by
any one. He now went to London, but only to
find the verdict of New York repeated.
Even the few sagacious men who, like Peel,
thought they more in their opinion publicly,
lest their reputation for sagacity might suffer-
All at once however, his dreams turned up reali-
ties. Louis Phillippi was dethroned; so called
Republic was established in France; and the ma
ton at large was called on to elect President.
The fool of Boulogne, as he was nicknamed, Of
fered himself a candidate. He was elected by
an immense majority. Once in his seat he set
to work to PROSTATE all other rivals, and to de-
stroy every part but his own; and strange as
it was then considered, this bold undertaking has
succeeded. Cavagnac, Thiers, Montalembert,
and every other leader of ofeminence, he out man
euvered and ruined. He is now consequently
Emperor of France
1 But this is not ALL. Scarcely had he been seat
ed in his imperial chair, when the horizon of east
ern Europe became ominous with war. Month
by month the clouds have thickened in spite of
momentary glmpses of sunshine, and now there
is every prospect of a general European struggle.
1t only depends, in truth, on the will of this man.
the former adventurer in New York, the 'sfool oil
| Boulogne," to say whether war shall break out
or not. England, trembling for her manufacture
ing and commercial interests, is willing to per-
nit Nicholas to occupy the Danubian princpall
ties sooner than to draw the sword. But if the
French Emperor declares that this occupation
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 arming O
f these two powers involves, as every one knows
a continental war. Thus Louis Napoleon holds
, in his hands the destinies of Europe His decis
, ion will turn the scale. He can save Turkey, o
give the Car Constantinople. He can raise Hun
gary, Italy, and Poland to their feet, or keeI
: them PROSTATE, and do either with word. The
man who, few years ago, could scarcely com
: mand dinner in New York, now orders the fate
t of war peaace in Europe, and perhaps, the fate
t of western civilization. Is not this romance
Where, even in the Arabian Nights, is there any
thinr to surnass t!-PAdadelphia Bulletin.