The true Democrat., 1856-12-02
Court Scandal in Paris.

During all last winter the conduct of his inn perlal majesty had been anything but what can be termed regular, and his health had been much the worse for his excesses. The brain showed manifest signs of weakness and consi- deraDe alarm was felt by those around him. one lar lady, III particular, had been the object of the imperial attentions, but d coldness had ehSued when the journey to PIombieres effected a reconciliation. At Plombieres, unfortunately more than witness can speak to the exceeding irregularities committed. Upon his return those nearest the emperor were painfully affect ed by the oiten-repeated proof he gave of ce rebrai perturbation. The word absenses" was used 10 characterize this state, but these "ab- sehceS" were upon one or two occasions so strong that, between those most immediately called upon to watch and assist in guiding the progress Of circumstances, the near eventuality or regency was more than once seriously dis cuSsed. The emperor was most soemnly warned by his medical attendants, but he left farlS for Blarritz undetermined to stay at the seaside, and without giving up his project of re- turning to Paris alone. However, at Biarritz hl5 resolution Was at length taken to remain during the whole time of the empress's stay. and when he returned to St. Cloud it was the positive opinion of all his medical advisers that the crisis had been for the moment entirely warded OH, but that he absolutely must resolve to lead regular life under pain of the gravest possible consequences.
 Now, as the chronicles of palaces are matters ot history, l will enter into some few otherde. tailS that indirectly bear upon all this For the hrst eighteen months or two years after his mar rage, 1t IS matter of European notorietv how strictly the empress was imprisoned in an eti- l " ,f I N
 vanltes to render starched and stiff as that prac tsed at the courts of what are termed the de gltlmaie" mouarchs of Europe Like all things affected, this was carried to a perfectly ridiculous pitch, and the empress, by life so contrary to all her artecedents and habits wac made proportonably unhappy This gave way, however, from the moment when by con- cesslons in his own interior, the emperor sought to secure indulgence for his behavior out of doors; and the resuls is, now, almost free per mission for the empress to resume the habits which were familiar to her as Mjdlle. Montiio and which, however innocent they may appear 70 us, are regarded by public opinion in this country as objectionable eccentricties. For Instance, two little anecdotes will suffice to it. iuStrate the position. Very shortly after her marriage, the empress declared she would % out and take a walk in the streets of Paris; her grand mistress, the princess q ESsling appeared. seIl-summoned, and said the proceeding was contrary to etiquette, but that, if her majesty choose she was willing to follow her majesty Tn carriage and go whither her majesty thought ht. A scene ensued; the empress was angry, and flew to the emperor to be supported against Madame d'Essling; but the emperor very gently, butinaexiby, supported the grand mistress, and the empress found that her liberty was lost. The other day, when the emperor had left for Plomberes, Madame d. Essling ap- peared ready to mount guard over the empress, to whom she very quietly observed, that the instant the emperor was absent the duties of her office called upon her not to leave the em press! That Is what we shall see," was the indignant reply; and teIegraphic despatch to Plomberes upon the very instant demanded whether 1t was intended to appoint d,senna to watch over the actions of the imperial princess mother? This time the reply was that the en- press was at liberty to do as she liked with Madame d'Essling In this respect everything Is altered, and the pony phatons driven by the empress herself, her attendance at bull fights dressed in the Spanish costume, and her shoot Ing at St. Cloud, attired in sort of fancy dress all these seemingly little incidents are signs to those who live In the close intimacy of the imperial court. You must live in the heart of French society to know how severely these va rous fancles of the empress are judged by high and low, and by the mperialists as much as by others; but Louis Napoleon has lost the right to gainsay his wife's wishes and he could now with great difficulty compel her to that frigid dignity, to that perpetual observance of deco rum, which French prejudice in all ranks exacts from persons of exalted rank
 One of his oldest friends, speaking to me yesterday of Louis Napoleon said, e think see him now before me, as he went one day with the empress and all their suite to inspect the works at the Elysee. The empress, with bound, nearly ajump, crossed some blanks, when, Hi an instant, the emperor, telling her sharply to stop came to her side, took hold of her arm, and said in loud tone of great dis pleasure Do walk as you ought to do, Eu- genie; what will all those people think of you?'' and my interocutor added, shaking his head, am afraid he would not stop her now; am afraid he has no longer the right to make any vation."-Manchester Guardian Correspo1- dent