The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-22

before, the directors inaugurated the line, and
presented the beautiful train of cars, mentioned
in my last, to the Emperor, who not only ex,
pressed his satisfaction as to the convenience
and elegance of that chef deuure, but he pro-
NOTED several of the directors to the rank of
officers of the Legion of Honor, and made the
engineer and builder of the imperial train
"knights of that order"
The spot selected for the camp has nothing
picturesque or attractive. 1t is an extensive
undulating plain, with a chalk bottom, we'll
largest village in the neighborhood, almost
touches the camp on the northeastern side
northwest, stands the Petit Mourn,elon These
towns are filled with peddlers and tradesmen !
and stalls of ell sorts are erected on the open
spaces round these villages, forming quite e
bazaar, where everything possible is sold, from.
the finest perfumes to the grsvest army statls-
tics. The staff and imperial headquarters are
placed on an elevated spot in the interior OF
tie camp, with the Emperor's pavilion in the
centre, painted in stripes of white and blue. A
little in the rear both right and left, the tents
of the staff are placed. Further on, to the
right, there is Swiss chalet, called Sale ds
Conscil" To the left, there is another Swiss
chalet, which is the imperial dining room and
still further on to the right, there are two tents
belonging to the Cent S1ardes. The Emperor s
pavilion commands view of the whole camp
and neighborhood. Back of the imperial pa.
vilion, the tents of the aids -de.camp are place.,
and those of the Emperor's suite, with stables
and kitchens, forming quite large village.
The tents of the artillery and cavalry stand
to the left, those of the Lancers to the righs,
and those of the Zouaves in the centre. TIE
grand maneuvres take place three times q
week, when they follow the routine laid down
by the Emperor, who directed them in person,
IT'LL he left for Stuttgsrdt, two days ago. at.
tended by all his staff, platoon of Cent Gardes,
and another of whatever cavalry regiment hap
pens to be on duty. The maneuvres last over
three hours, and the duty at all times is most
severe. The officers and soldiers seem, how
ever, to be perfectly well Satisfied. The amuse-
ments for the former are few, and no doubt
that, when off duty, they would much prefer to
be in Paris. Their oely resorts in the evening
are the Cafes Chdutdnts, where ladies, with
cracked voices, dressed in low-necked dresses,
sing shockingly false. A young lieutenant said
to me, few days since, f" 1t is revolving the
first night, but one fortunately soon becomes
accustomed to their false notes."
The Zouaves are ever foremost in getting up
| pastimes, and have q wonderful faculty for ar
ranging masquerades. A few days since, they
performed the ceremonies of an Arabian wed
ding, which ended in dance. The Emperor
was present, with his guests, Marshals Can
robert and Valiant, and the Duke of Cam
bridge, who appeared greatly amused.
They afterwards grouped themselves togeth.
er, 80 as to form camel, wrapped their brown
ish-gray overcoats about themselves, and really
managed to represent a camel to perfection.
Two of them got upon top of each others
shoulders, dressed as-one gigantic Bedouip, and
seated themselves upon the camePs back. How
they managed to do so we'll, with the few re-
sources at their command, is a mystery, and it
strongly proves the truth of the old proverb,
which says that Necessity is the mother OF
invention"
On Sundays, the soldiers appear in full dress
Mass is said at nine o'clock in the morning
after which they have the whole day to them
selves. simple altar is erected near to the
imperial headquarters, round which the twenty
thousand troops assemble on foot, and form q
square. The Emperor attends the ceremony
accompanied by his staff, ar platoon of Cent
Gardes, and stands between two Cent Gardes al
| the altar; and when, at different parts of the
ceremony, he removes his hat, the troops pre-
sent arms When the host is elevated, every
man present kneels down, with the exception
of the Emperor, who slightly bends over. "A
band of the best musicians of every regiment
is stationed behind the altar, to perform sacred
music, making this ceremony most imposing.
The trial of Carpenter, Grellis, Parod, and
| Guerin, was commenced on the 23d of this
month. In my next, hope to be able to give
the final decision of the tribunal.
! Monsieur MANN, the late President of the
Venitian Republic, died on the 2lst instant, q
Paris, in the SD year of his age.