Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-08-11
Daily Nirsiuia,l.
Fssm n Lsssrpee, Je.y~sb Js,y %.
Napoleon III and the Cheshire SOUR

sne nero OF many stories thnt nave their only toun-
daton for the truth in the lively imagination Of
their authors. The following aaocdo,e in the liie
OF that remarkable man We can vouch for as en-
tireiy authentic. u was communicated 20 us by
| gentleman In whase yeracity we can place i'm
pl'cit confidence. lle was himself acquainted
with the individual who figures ~ a character in
the story.
Many years nga. when Louis Napoleon WAS a
mere lodger in ST. James street, LoId he was
invited asa guest to the hospitable mansun Of the
late Sir John Gerrard. few miles from this town.
During that time he jnined in all the sports and
pleasures common to English country gentlemen,
aud In which the late Sir JOHN was distinguished.
On one occns"n he Joined tho Cheshire hunt and
being an excellent rider he is said to have appear
ed to great advantage in the field But pleasure
wearies like labor. aud ere the days spot had
closed tho distinguished horscman was found Ing
ging far behind the hounds by Squire. So W, up.
ped up was he in deep meditation that he did not
notiee the squire's approach nntil their horses
were abreast, when they cordially salued each
other.
Your Ilighness," said tho squire. "looks tir-
cd" Mot with the sport, good si' - replied the
Prince. "but Of my liic." The squire looked up,
surprised but II glance at that strange mud sad
coun,enanoe, which is remarkable in the Empcr-
or, convinced him that the Prince was serious.-
You are young 10 he 30 melancholy" observed
the squire His companion smiled, remarkiag.
Ssh n my lie has GO foriu 10 has dsal str, n.e
y vail. me. sir why, Prince" said the squire,
''ncver heed the jade" His IIighncss merely
shook his head. and said, "Nny. sir, none of us
can escnpo 'ur fate" Your llghnrss Dies no,
believe in that superstition 7" was the squires cx-
clamation. "Call it whit you will, sir" replied
the Prince III is IA religion TO me-" AGer n long
pause the squire said, "Every man has right 10
his own opinion none moro 81 than your High
ness" The Prince ai-ed his hat. renarking,
"Sr. you fatsr me-" Now, have heard il
sad," ,be,,ed the squire "tha, iatnlists (s,ealng
n cautious glance ut the impenetrable face before
him. have an immense advantage over ordinary
men by anticipating their future in this world"
The Princes face became lit with sudden nni-
nation, ~ he answered. '.Sir. were IN confident
OF heaven ns am Of what ] shall be. ! would not
-" The squire's merry laugh cut short the
Princes speech, NJ he roguirhy exclaimed, "Ah.
nh this is the advantage the followers of your
religion lab n under. Your state hereafter is MS
much mystery Ia you a1our earthly existance is
TO US poor devils" The Prince good naturedly
oied in the laugh him. elf, bat soon rclapsed in
To hs melancholy mood again. The squire was
too much in,cre tied in the subject to let itdrop lie
said II should be afraid to think then III tho FL.
ture disquets YOU" ut is even 81, good sir ;
though. t. "A vulgar mind it would seem as brill
iant as could be- was the reply Of the Prince
"W hat is that. your llghness 7" asked the squire
now all attention. refining IN his horse, and louk-
ing steadily in the squres fine open English coun-
| t"nance, the Prince replied with much emphasis.
Nothing ess, sir, ihnn the imperial purple Of
France"
The squirrs first impulse was to laugh but
there something indescribnble about the
strange man at his side, that he ielt mysterious
influence creep over him, and tor sone time his
tongue refused it's Office lls however, venturrd
once mare to address the Prince, but in amore de.
frrentul manner than he had been accustomed to
nsc 80 great II station as the one You mention,
IIiuhtps. ,y,ul en,n IN m, Far
'al the l1 that flesh is heir to-" Sir" repli-
ei The Prince, with warmth. 1.-The ma ority ofmnn-
kind are mere ca,Liiiict grent men monsters bo-
cause they are giants in the midst Of rigmes.-
A. Emperor of France have destiny to fulfill
Contemporaries may call me cruel, false, tyrnnt;
but | work for p.sterity and by that will BIZ judy
cd" Your llighness is right" answered tho
squire; ''the responsibility of such Office would
make man Of your llighness's intellect serious;
butin the meantime, why be snd?" Sir" repli-
ed the Prince, i am but mortal. and must yeget-
ate like my fellows" The squire lookel up in
doubt, remarking. Il don't exactly comprehend
your Highness. "Sir said the Prince, with nn ef
fort TO smile. will it not turn history to romance
when it is written that Napoleon the Third ex-
perienced the pangs of poverty"
The Squire looked up again with still moro sur
prise. aud besitutingly sad," tenr to be imperli.
nent, but you astonish mo. If il should be merely
for temporary assistance. your IIghness can com
X
ing The squre's hand. ''yon are gentleman. and
your delieacy does you honor. j would ask a
favor. though it may be at the expense Of my .wn
feelings." Your ilighness has only to tell me
how can be of assistance and there is an eud of
the matter, and no obligation" In II few words
the Prince told him how he was pushed for money.
the victim Of his creditors. his misery and hs
wants. A eheqoe Of fl00 Immediately changed
bands and hen the Prince writing ut receipt
tho fyleaf of his pncket-bDok, handed it TO tho
squire aging, I ha We an absent mind, good sir. and
may forget this transaction; let this DO en-
orandum. and when you Come to Paris call NJ the
Tucries, and the debt owe You SHALL discaar-
geL-thongh before that hope the obligation may
not exist.
MY gratitude may not repay yon; yet if you
think the respect Of Napoleon III oi any ynue.
You have it, isr, from my heart" No more, beg
your Ilighness," said the squirer 'but will keep
the memorandum; and you may depend upnn it
shall most ceLtanly call at the Tuilerics for,
Prince, am not a convert. Jon know" by this
time they had reached the door of Sir William
Stnnley's house. where tie hunt had already as
sembled; and in 'the feast Of reason and the dow
OF SOUP which followed, the squire did not forget
the extraordinary rencontre Of the morning. and 1t
was only the gray dawn Of the following day that
chased the recollection Of Il from his pillow
Great events had occurred sipce the memorable
incident we have been describing. Revolution
had once again burst out in Paris, and from tho
chaos TINT ensued the follower of the Cheshire
hounds had become the Emperor Of France
Squire ----- had never forgotten the meeting
with the "man Of destiny" on whom oil eyes we're
now turned. During ail the long years that had
elapsed since that occasion the squire never heard
from the Prince. He supposed that, in the wbir-
wind Of politics and government. the Prince had
failed 70 remember e,en the knowledge Of his ex-
istence; hut strange impulse. over which be had
no control. and Tor which he could not account
lad fQ IL,
pier Of tho Tuileries and he determined to set out
for Paris without delay He arrived In Tint nav