The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-14
AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.


Of the Camnsn, the Weather, and the Scene-Ew-
genie and the Ladies Entrance and Retirement
of Napolssw-His War Poiicyon the Bourss, and
StrsxgtA ,cith the Army-SI DE Lacy Euans in
the Sssge-Oyleanist Gathering Cuba and Bona.
paste-Cowt Nsics, TheatricdLs, Sc.
AsI vri,e, the cannon of the Invalides are boom
ing in my ear, and the solemn festivities Of Christ
mas have scarce been inaugurated ere the thunders
of those deep mouthed State engines intervene /
bad forgotten the occasion, and as, a. regular in
tervas The air reverberated with the rude shocks 1t
received, began to have real hope that the gov
eminent telegraph had tor once outstipped the
voice Of rumor, and that the towers of Ssosstopol
At last had crumbed to pieces under the heavy pres
sure Of the allies. But suddenly was reminded
that this day was consecrsted 70 the opening OF the
Legislative session, and that Napoleon aud his lore
ly Empress would be in their place in the Taileries
to open the Parliament coz amore. confess, "a
turned over in my thoughts the peculiar nature OF
the French Parliament its dread of open discussion,
Its mystic union between rhe new order OF things"
and itself, and my ears we're at the same time in.
cessantly deafened by the roar Of artillery, tae old
adage Of "mucn cry and little WOOL" forcibly OBJ
truded itself on my mind.
The thing ITSELF for aught / know, may be
admirably adapted to q people 80 fond Of crea.
ting sensations" that consequences beyond the
particular moment are never thought Of
to people who seem ever to cry ruat ceolam II my
GRAFTON but ring throughout the Length and breadth
Of the land;- political principle which for sixty
years. from the days Of the first republic to the last
has rendered aborive every attempt at free legisar
tive discussions;-but, to call such an institution
the most inhnitesmal shadow Of parliament is as
absurd "a to term President Pierce's last speech
worthy Of the times in which 1t is made and OF the
magnificent role great America Is destined to play
in them.
Ipulled out my watch, and perceived had just
time to reach the Tuleries before the delivery of
the speech, and with friend at court had 20 diff
culty in gaining admission. The weather, for once,
was ct peace, and the coup dci OF soldiers under
arms, Of officers grand tsnxe, of magnificent equip
ages, OF busy official life, passed over the large
court which fronts the Place du Csrousel was i'm.
posing. On ascending the grand staircase, which,
richly carpeted, was garrisoned on either side by
brilliant specimens of the picked corps Of the army
Of France, fastened on to the hall of the Mar
shals; and, catching the eye Of the Times CORES
pendent, Immediately placed myself under his wing.
II was really grand sight, which burst upon one
the moment he assumed sufficient courage to look 1t
full in the face. The Empress, with the Princess
Mashilde, and her attendant ladies' of honor
had already taken their places in the gal
lery Of that superb chamber, which seems
to hays been designed only for such oc asions. The
throne, on Q raised dais, was placed between the
windows which overlook the Place du Car,ussl,
and thus faces the gallery, rather, should say,
looks up to 1t, as from it's lofty position 1t COM
mands the whole spectacle beneath. The Senator's
and members Of the Corpz Legslatif were seated on
benches, covered in crimson and gold on the right
and left CT the thIore They were all in glitteriag
uniform. Immediately beneath, on raised estrade
we're the corps diplomatique, covered with orders,
Of tina marshals of France the artists coloring re-
heving the eye almost ovsrpo Hered by the gor
eeous decorations Of tba! hail TO which they give
title. But the most g. acefa and softeniog feature
OF the whole Is the presen Of the Empress and her
imperial retinue of beauty, luxufiating In all tbs
mysterious charms Of la toilette Francoise. II Ia
only on this occasion that the Sale des Ma.eschaux
is done perfect justice to. In or iinsry times 1t is
merely the foor and the elevated estrades surround
ing IL, which are filled with knights and danes In
glittering apparel and the enormous distance of
the yiafond remains unbroken, except by the un-
ments above but now SEEN filed with little bonnets,
which look as If q zephyr's breath could Danish
them from the beautiful features they condescended
to adom-with erminsd mautles, with flowing silks
with soiors that shame the rainbow, aad, above all,
with that sweet, sweet smile, which will immortal.
ize the young Empress Of Ffance--the effect was
perfect. The thunders of artillery which had an
nounced her entry would have Jared hsrshly the
ear in connection with her modest and gentle bear.
ing, except for the advantage Of contrast.
At this moment, preceded by all the grand Off
ce Of State, the Emperor entered the ball. Prince
Jerome Bona parte, ex Kiog Of Westphalia, looking
very well for his years, took his place TO his rig IT.
and vacant chair on the left OF the throne was
left for Prince Napoleon, absent leading the French
armies In the C,imea other princes Of the Imperial
furntIu nm tha ato 40 NJ ho IN
to 81 eak. There was then o moments pause,
during which the fall Of pin might have been
heard All had risen from their seats on Napoleons
entrance, including the Empress and the fair o,cu'
posing than the ensemble. The form of the half,
which Ia that of four equal sdes It's great elevation
and dome like apex; the slanting sunbeams, shicn,
softened by light Clouds liz up the whole, give It
more compact character than the oblong chamber
OF the new House Of Lords In England; and when
to this Is added the superior taste, combination aud
order which the French know how to impart to all
such occasions, the present spectacle undoubtedly
superior TO anything Of the kind to be seen else
whcre-n one could but divest oneself OF its hol.
lownessi
The Emperor looked MP to the gallery for sc.
cond, and 0 slight smile played on his lip as he
caught the fixed gaze Of the Empress, then, making
q sweeping inclination, he said -" Messisurs, as
:s SSs - which the Empress and her IL ladies'
nished you from ether sources. IL was listened to
with brsathess attention; and only when mention
was made Of new national loan, might slight
whisper be heard or course the official ciaYusurs
did their busir at oil proper occasions; but the
loan evidently the point OF interest. The Empe-
read the speech with great distnctness, aad as
IL tho composition was every word his own, Of
which, in fact, there Is no doubt. All such docu.
ments are his own work. He speaks with trailing
German accent but the tones OF his voice are sono-
rous and full, and his impeaetrable countensnce
casts aside is usual shade, and evidently tells that
the speakers heart Is In hls business.
The speech delivered. Napoleon left the hall as he
had entered IL; toe Empress at the time disap
pearing from the gallery; and as IL the sun Ia
been specially retained for che purpose the business
was no sooner over than the food gates OF Heaven
seemed TO be opened in order to damage the fine
feathers and gaudy trappipgs Of humanity, stra ting
irs pigmy hour Of Importance. In a few mnutae
gentlemen Of the pastebrush" were visible In all