The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-04
WASHINGTON, D. G.


An Attempt made upon the Life of the En-
Dsror Napoleon. January l4th-A Ball gioe,
af the British Embassy, to celebrate til
EnptiaLs Ofthe Princess Royal of England
A rumored Marriage an High Mfe-h
Lors of the Americans for Titles.
To the Editor of the National Era.
Tae steamer of the past week no doubt tool
YOU the news Of the diabolical attempt made t,
a.sassiua'e the Emperor Napoleon and tn
n9.ess Eugene; and had his carriage no
been a second delayed by another standing be
fore the portal of the Grand Opera House,
certainly would have been blown to atoms
killing both Emperor and Empress. As it was
their escape is miraculous.
The crowd, assembled to see them alight
w4s, as usual, great, and the unfortunate vic
tins number 1872; some were killed on thu
spot, others MORALLY wounded the create
number, however, am pleased to say, were bu
slightly scathed. The scene was appalling
and the stupor at the first moment indescriba
bic, az no one could divine what had really oc
CURED, and the persons who saw their neigh
bors falling around them, knew not but at the
next moment il might be their own turn.
Within the theatre the alarm was also ex
IRENE. The noise of the defamation was heard
inside, great number of the audience rose
and endeavored 20 depart, under the impression
that an explosion of gas had taken place in
the house. Bat the real nature of the case was
soon made known, after their Msjesties made
their appearance in the Imperial box, which was
crowded all the evening with high officers of
the Court, public functionaries, and distinguish
ed generals, who 1ocked there to offer heartfelt,
congratulations. The performance went On
without interruption, and their Msjesties re
NAMED to the end.
What must have been the feelings of the va
rious sovereigns, when the lightning telegraph
brought them the news of that awful attempt
aware, as they must be, that, had Napoleon
been the victim, a general revolution must
ordered by them in gratitude to the Deity
for the safety of the Emperor Of the French
may we'll be said to have been prompted by
a feeling of salfpreservation; for this Emperor
indispntebly holds in his hands the rein by
which all Europe is governed.
With one voice, all the newspapers deprecate
that treacherous attempt, except a few insig.
nifoant journals in Belgium. The English
press, especially, gives the most touching and
powerful manifestations of sincerity in the de-
nouncemert of that foul deed. Strange as it
may seem, however, much AZ the French pa
pers talk of the great Joy of the Parisiaus and
people of France, and of their gratitude at the
Divine interposition in favor of the Emperor,
the people talk more of the poor victims killed
aud wounded, of the ingenious continuance of
the hand grenades. of the disastrous effects they
had on the walls and portals of the Opera House
and on the windows of the houses opposite,
Than of the happy escape made by their Ma.
Jesties.
| happened to be on the Boulevarts the next
day after that awful catastrophe, when the
Emperor and Empress passed in an open car
rage, without escort, to show themselves unin.
jured to the people; bu5 the mass looked at
them coolly, without even touch of the hat,
and it was only here and there that cheer
emanated from a shopkeeper, to break the mo-.
notony of the scene.
The English were looked upon with suspi-
cion the first few days, as having been at the
bottom of the conspiracy; and some persons
went SO far as to desire Napoleon Immediately
to cross the Channel, to scourge perfdious AL
hion for giving shelter to the exies. Sharp
r-marks were made upon the Times and other
English papers opposed to the immediate exc.
cutiOn OF the foreigners on that side of the
Channel. The Moniteur saw fit to forget that
only few short years past, Louis Napoleon
himself fitted out q filibustering expedition to
invade France, for the svowed purpose of dri.
wing poor Louis Philippe from the throne |;
a hat he had do "A md
successful attempt to bring about civil war in
the country Of his birth.
In the congratuistory addresses made to the
Emperor By some of the high dignitaries, his
Majesty wac advised to be more careful in fn.
ture when he appears in public, to be less mag.
unanimous and lenient to the people. Without
loss OF time, the Emperor profted by that vel
come advice, and suppressed two papers, La
ReUue de Paris, and the daily journal lie Spec
fdteur; III which measures he will doubtless
be upheld by his brother Emperors and Kings,
who will be pleased with any means he may
see fit to take to keep the people in the right
road 10 subordination.
The German papers likewise expressed great
sympathy, and commented much on the vile
attempt made to murder Napoleon, and all
nagnanimously acknowledge that he alone is
The supporter CT peace and order in Europe.
but this fact makes the situation OF Napoleon
III, as well as of all Europe, the more preca-
ncus; Napoleon is not immortal, and he must,
sooner or later, share the fate of all men.
The grand bail given at the Britieh Embassy,
by Lord and Lady Cowley, on Monday even
Ing last, in honor of the nuptials of the Prin-
cess Royal of England, was of most bril-.
liant description, the general magni6cence of
the arrangements being enhanced by the ele.
100 nj no l. Al
and shrubs placed about in graceful profusion
The exterior of the Embassy, on both sides of
the hotel, presented blaze of lights; the
grand entrance in the Rae du Faubourg St.
honore bearing the arms of England in Jets of
gas, with an extensive scrollwork at each side,
and the garden entrance being adorned with
multitude of lamps, arranged with infinite
taste. A crowd was stationed without, eager
to get Q glimpse at the fair guests, who began
to arrive as early as nine o'clock; and from that
hour the stream of carriages poured on with
out cessation. By half past ten, the rooms
were flied with q most distinguished company,
consisting of the diplomatic body, the minis
ters, marshals, principal members of the legis-
latlve corps, &c.
Before eleven the arrival of the Emperor and
Empress, By the garden entrance, and received
OF The vestibule of the Hotel by the Ambassa
dor and Lady Cowley, accompanied by the
whole staff of the Embassy, gave an additional
interest and cclat. The august guests were
conducted to the Throne room, where they seat
ca themselves upon the chairs of state placed
upon the throne for them.
Both the Empress and the Princess Mathilde
wore white tule dresses; that of her Majesty
was trimmed with bouillons, the upper skirt
listened up with bows of plaid velvet ribbon
ana diamonds; the tout ensemble of her toilet
was, as usual, remarkable for its elegant sim
Phclty; the head-dress was composed of dark
sseve,, gittering with diamonds. Princess
mH,hilde's dress VAS trimmed with gold blonde
ana cherry. coYered velvet: her head.dresa con