The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-21
Notes of q Tour in Hayti.

Notes of four in Hayti.
SoULoUQUE.--T Emperor has the weak
ness of his race for dress, and probably few,
if any, of his imperial or royal brothers in
any quarter of the globe, have more costly
wardrobe. He attaches full enough import
ance to the kind of consequence which men
in office derive from their tailors, and never
appears in public except in full toilet. Even
at private receptions he commonly wears
his sword and cooked hat. His taste for
dress is almost the only one upon which he
is e&travagant. He had one coat made in
Paris, which cost him 81 ,200-I quote the
well authenticated gossip of the court circle
and pair of boots made in New York,
decorated with brilliants and gold, which
cost 5000. The cane with which he COM
monty walks cost S400. He has several
swords, the handles of which are richly jew
eled. He has seven stars composed of dia-
monds, which he wears on great occasions,
wear nothing but the best of its kind, and
has special aversion to anything plebean
or unimperial. Hence his indignation at
the proposition to sell him Queen Adelaide S
secondhand coach. Hence, also, his reply
to an artist who wished to make bust of
him. He consented, but said "Mind,
now, you must ask high price for me; I'll
not be sold cheap; take care A copy of
this bust, by the way, was in the Crystal
Palace
Soulouque has about as little education as
it IS possible for man 10 have with his
talent in his position. Since he reached his
present dignity he is said to have learned to
read French, and his panegyrists say that he
speaks and reads it elegantly. presume he
made some progress under his instructors,
and speaks it with about as much ease and
elegance as the president of an American
college talks the Latin in which he confers
its degrees and honors. Both would be
sorely puzzled if they were called upon to
say anything more than they had prepared
for. was told that he had Uncle Toms
Cabin read to him twice, he was so delighted
with it; but no one intimated that he read
it himself. I was also told that he sent an
autograph letter to Mrs. Stowe, thanking her
for the pleasure he had derived from her
famous book. If he wrote the letter himself,
he must have made more proficiency in his
studies than he has generally the credit of.
| heard him speak several times, but al
ways briefly, and in a somewhat sententious
style, after the manner of the Oriental and
African races. He always expressed what
little he had to say in French. remember
one of his speechlets in reply to an alluson
made by my companion to the intervention
of France, England and the United States
between the Emperor and the Dominicans,
few years ago, during the Presidency of
Mr.. Fillmore. All he said about it was
this: "We are Christian people, and why
should we not be treated like a Christian
people? We have two arms and two legs,
like other men. We have only wanted to
act like Christians towards the Dominicans
We do not desire war, but peace we do
not wish to shed blood, but to make all the
people of the island prosperous and happy
This was spoken deliberately, in very low
tone, and in tolerably good French. 1t was,
as the reader will perceive, clear enuncia-
ton of a series of distinct and intelligent
propositions, without super1uous words.
This characteristic marks his discourse.
There is no doubt that he has improved
himself vastly since he came into power