Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-04-04
PnrlsIan Gossip.

The Manchester Guardian correspondent says =
rl.ro can be no denying that of the weaknesses
tb nrpsent government in France, one OF its chief
Uses of dis esteem in the popular mind, is It's cynl
lem as to morality, and the seeming indifference
C%;b IS manifested even by the Emperor, as to the
riIv of the individuals by whom he is served. Not
"na aoo. story relating 10 this kind of thing, made
oroe noise in Paris Saloons and have been able 10
End accurate details, which may make the anecdote
;torpstnr. short time since, the Emperor, riding
n the Bots de Boulogne, accompanied by the person
whose position gives him unlimited authority over
the services of the imperial stables, caught sight of
Gentleman well known in French society, and turn
mo to his companion, seid What fine horse
N has got !! | should like that horse myself"
The attendant proposed that the horse should be
nurchased and the Emperor said he should be glad
n know whether NJ would sell the horse. Next
morning M F. called upon the owner Of the
horse and told him what had passed the day before
This gentleman protested at once to have no dlsln-
clination whatever 10 sell his horse, and said he
would dispose of it with pleasure for the price it cost
him, namely $500 france (G18O) So SAID, so done !;
the money was paid, and the horse conducted into
the kmperor's stables
week or two passed, when one evening at the
Iockv Club the person who had sold his horse found
himself taken aside by two or three of his friends,
who putting him in mind of the statutes of the club,
which strictly forbid horse-j obbing the sale of
horse at price above that for which he was bought
asked him point blank for what sum he had sold his
horse ? For $500 francs" the instant reply.
tThen," reioned the one Of the former speakers
the sum inscribed upon the books of the niniStere
de Ia maisOn as having been paid to you is $4,000
francs" (g60OD NJ Indignantly declared he
would fathom the whole MYSTERY, and next day OBJ
taned communication of the books concerning the
stable service. Sure enough $4,000 francs was the
sum inscribed. Persuaded that this the cheatery
of M. F., and that the Emperor would be ncensed
when ne heard it, NJ. -w wrote 10 have an audience
of his Majesty, which was speedily granted. He ex-
planned the entire story 10 Napoleon and at the close
looked for an explosion of Indignation No such
thing. After listening attertvely, the Emperor smil-
ed and fixing his dull grey eye the narrator, said
Is NJ. -, you have the best kept horses in Paris
YOUR head man, the chief of your stables must be a
clever fellow, is he not 2" NJ. - said he was quite
satisfied with his head mans services "Of course
he robs you ?" was the Emperor's remark His inter-
ocutor hestated, and at last saidWeI, he supposed
that was probable. Well then" resumed the Ma
esty 1--WE are both in the same position, both equal
" satisfied with the chief of stables, both equal
" open-eyed, and both equally resigned for neither
Of US would gain anything by a change"
Thus the conversation ended But this is only a
further proof of what those who know Louis Napo.
leon well have known all along, namely, that he is
utterly Indifferent not only the honesty but also
the capacity of his instruments. He only requires
subseTViency. speech made by the Emperor him
self not many days since will suffice to prove how
entirely this is the case. After dinner where but
two or three individuals, strangers to the household
we're assembled, whilst the Emperor was taking his
coffee, he observed slowly, and smiling all the while
hear it said that, when the Comte de ChamborC
IS 10 reign over this country, he means to ploy al
his capacities. | have done just the reverse, and
do not find things go on the reverse for that" Thi
have from an ear-wtness, therefore | can voucl
for it. 1t is certain that Louis Napoeons belief is
not only that country like France can be governed
by passive instruments of one will, but that those in
slruments are likely TO be more available when un
burthened with too much intelligence than wher
overloaded with that quality. There is no doub
that, this opinion in the master penetrating more o
less into the inferior ranks, the collection of govern
ment functonaries in this country becomes gradual
Iy more null as to intellectually than can be wei
conceived, whilst the standard of honor and morait
does anything but rise in proportion.