Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-30
MISCELLA A N Y /.
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The Emperor of the French.


To the Editors of the National Inteliigencer:
GENTLEMEN My attention has been called to
an article in your journal of the 2Sth ultimo, in
which my name is introduced in connection with
the soiourn in this city, in 1887, of the present
Emperor of the French, and statements and o.
pinions of mine in regard to the character he
sustained here placed in antagonism toa prevail
inc impression ON the subject. The publicity
TINS given TO me as n defender of the reputation
of this gentleman at that period must be my a.
noloey for this communication, and FOR the re-
nuest that. in Justice to the parsonage most con-
cerned. the National lnteliigencer may become
the channel of brief rehearsal Of the opportu-
mites had of correct knowledge III the ease and
of the belief based upon them, which l enter
tain.
Iouis Napoleon, after having been prisoner
of State for some months ON board French man
of-war. was set at liberty on our shores at Nor
folk in the early spring OF 1887. lie came lm-
mediately to New York, as the point OF commu-
nication with his friends in Europe: Either ON
the day or the day but one after his arrival, l
was led TO call upon him, not as the bearer OF an
;Instr;ous name or inheritor of an imperial title,
bnt as a stranger and exile without personal
fr;and in the country or letter OF introduction.
7 was the more readily induced to this from rep
rssentations made to me by a near relative, IN
whose family he had already passed an evening,
ot the deep interest his appearance and whole
manner had excited in those who then met him.
The call was reciprocated with promptness and
cordialitv had not anticipated, and III very
hr;ef period led to an intercourse which was al
most daily for some two months, and which end
,ed only when we parted from each other of San
dy Hook, on board the packet which returned
him to Europe.
The association was not that of hours only, but
,of days, and on one occasion at least OF days IN
succession, and was characterized by freedom
of conversation on great variety OF topics that
could scarce fail, under the lngenuousness ana
arankness of his manner, TO put me In possession
of his views, principles, and feelings upon most
points that give insight to character. l never
heard sentiment from him and never witness
ed a feeling that.could detract from his honor
and purity as man or his dignity as a prince;
on the contrary, | often had occasion to admire
the lofty thoughts and exalted conceptions which
seemed most to occupy his mind
His favorite topic when we were alone were
his uncle, the Emperor his mother, and Others
of his immediate family, in whom he had been
deeply interested; bis own relations TO France
by birth and imperial registry; the Inducements
which led to the attempted revolution at Stras-
burg the causes OF its failure, and his chief sup
port under the modification OF the result-"the
tcH of God" Ito use his own words,) through
a direct iRterposltton 9f has precedence; the time
had not get come !' ----
He seemed ever to feel that his personal desti-
nv was indissolubly linked with France; or, as
his mother. Hortense, expressed it in her will,
Ito know his position" ;" and the enthusiasm with
which mt times he gave utterance to his aspira-
tions for the prosperity, the happiness, and the
honor of his country and TO the high purposes
which he designed to accomplish for her as 8
ruler amounted, in words, voice, aud manner, to
rositive eloouence. Had taken notes of some
of these conversations they would be considered
p,w. when his visions of power and earthly glo-
ry are realized scarcely less epigranmatic and
elevated in thought, or, as related to HIMSELF less
prophetic. than many which have been recorded
from the lips OF the exile at St. Helena
He WAS winning in the InvariaOieness Oh ms
a,nability, often playful IN spirits and manner,
and warm in his affections. lie was most
tondly attached son, and seemed to ldoIlze his
mother. When speaking of her the intonations
of his voice and his whole manner were often as
gentle and feminine as those OF woman. 1t
had been his purpose to spend u year in making
the tour Of the United States that he might have
a better knowledge OF our institutions and OBJ
sarve for himself the practical workings of our
political system. With this expectation he con-
suited me and others as to the arrangement of
the route OF travel, SO as to visit the different
sections of the Union at the most desirable sea-
sons. But his plans We're suddenly changed by
Intelligence of the serious illness OF Queen Hor-
tense or as then styled, the Duchess of st. Leu,
at her castle in Switzerland | was dining with
him the day the letter conveying this inforina-
t;nn ,,os received. Recognizing the writing on
the the envelope, as it was handed to him at the ia
BILE he hastily broke the seal, and had scarce
glanced over half a page before he exclaimed,
my mother is ILL., must see her. Instead of a
tour of the States / shall take the next packet
for England l will apply for passports for the
continent at every embassy in London, and, 1t
unsuccessful, will make my way to her without
them" This he did, and reached Areneberg IN
lime to console by his presence the dying hours
of the ex- Queen, and to receive in his bosom her
last sigh.