The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-06-21
LOFTS NAPOLEON.
JUNE q, 1855.

~
"A writer In the London Athenmum, after
Oh. e,ection to the Empire of the present
ru,ar Of France. instituted = comparison be.
tween the nephew Of Cesar and the nephew
of Napoleon. The former, after an interval OF
is wears, vanquished ell his enemies, ascend
ed his uncle's seat by unscrupulous means,
reiened for many years with great glory. ana
shut the temple Of Janus. in token that Rome
was at peace with all the world. Thirty-se-
ven evantful years had passed since the star
Of the FIRST Napoleon set when that OF the
..cond arose. He, too, waded to power by
INSCRIPTIONS means but, like his Roman
prototype, those means were forgotten in the
glory of his sway. He declared that the re
vival Of the empire was the harbinger of
peace. "L'empire cest la paix!" exclaimed
the new Emperor. Lord Bacon says; "Sure-
ly princes have need, in tender matters and
ticklish times, to beware what they say, es-
pecially in short speeches, which fly abroad
like darts, and are thought to be shot out OF
their secret intentions; for as for large dis
courses, they are fiat things, and not so much
noticed" 1t is scarcely probable that Ma
poleon had thoroughly digested this sage
counsel, when he made his pithy but impru-
dent declaration. The writer in the Athe.
paum had evidently some doubts whether
an impatient soldiery would permit the
French Emperor to pursue the pacific policy
he had announced, and which was so neces'
sary to consolidate his power and establish
his dynasty. The memorable example oil
that valiant and successful warrior and able
aud popular prince, the Emperor Probus
was recommended to the attention of the
French monarch. eff i've" said Probus
s'there shall no longer be need of soldiers III
the Roman empire;" 80 he employed his
braves in draining the marshes of Sirmium
The consequent loss of his Empire and his
life, by the hands of his own warriors, fur
nished an example which Louis Napoleon
has not forgotten. If he has violated Lord
Bacon's preeept in words, he has taken good
care to contradict his words by his action.
The writer in the Atbep@um vindicates a
change of tone which had begun to manifest
itself in regard to Napoleon, on the ground
that all men alter their views as they grow
older, and wax stronger in practical expe-
rience. We trust England may not find rea-
son, in the practical experience of a
French invasion for another revolution in
the circle of mutabiiity. "The only historl-
cal character we have ever heard Of" says
the writer, "who piques himself on fixed no
tious, is the arch enemy of man." On the
authority of Milton, he tells US, that he bears
"a mind not to be changed by place or time. .
A somewhat higher authority than Milton
gives different view of the subject, and
represents undergraduates as the attribute
of Divini:y-with Whom there is no change
nor shadow of turning.
'The whirling of time brings in its re.
vanges," and if the unfortunate exile of st.
Helena could look down upon the present
state of sentiments and affairs in England,
the illustrious shade might be appeased fer
all the wrongs and ignominy of bis island
rrison.