The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-09-01

to him and attempted in vain to induce
him to leave the chateau aud 1y TO q Sc
cure spot. The event proved that he was
right to remain there. The French troops
entered by the Canton Vaud. and passed
close to Coppet; but message from the
DircctOirc informed NJ. Necker that his
life and freedom would be respected du-
ring the invasion. The inhabitants Of
Coppet listened to the sound Of the cannon
which was borne to them through Alpine
echoes from Berne, distance of nearly
eighty miles, and the old Genevan knew
well enough that his native land was des-
tined to become an appanagc Of his adopt
e1 country.
Madame de Stael returned to Paris
about the same time that Napoleon came
back in triumph from Egypt, and mado
his first great steps toward absolute pow
er, backed by the army. She re-opened
her salon, which was now crowded with
all that party which, like herself, dreaded
the iilcrcasin. influence of this new man,
aud looked with regret on the decay Of
the Republic, which they had imagined
to be well and firmly established. Among
her guests was Joseph Bonapartc, for
whom she entertained sincere regard
The first Consul gathered from his broth
or something Of the principles Of the most
popular drawing room in Paris, and felt
that here was rival to his own popular
ity among the educated classes Of the me-
tropolis. The great little man was not
above jealousy Of such woman, and tried
to attach her to himself. -
~ l,.f ,lf, M I,ac cns1 10 TN
ecph. Her fathers two millions? She
shall have them! Leave to stay in Paris =
She shall remain. What does she want!
Why does she not join az ?"
When Joseph reported this TO his friend
in the hope of bringing her round to his
brothers party, she replied, "Thc diff
Guilty, monsieur, is not what want, but
what Think"
The popularity Of her salon was not in
creased by the speech in the Senate Of
benjamin Constant, the famous journalist,
who there denounced the first consul,
without specifying him by name, as as
piring to arbitrary power. Madame do
Stael was suspected Of having prompted
this speech, and the next day her salon
was empty, and she was recommended by
the minister, Fouche, to "retire for few
days to the country. At this period,
both Lucien and Joseph Bonaparte were
as frequent visitors at Madame de Stael's
as at her intimate friend, Madame Reca.
mier's. Joseph was her especial favorite;
and it will well be understood how-eom--
plctcly the conqueror of Switzerland,
Egypt and Italy dreaded the tongue and
independent spirit of this ono woman,
when 1t is known that he even warned his
brother, soon after the speech Of Constant
to deSist from his visits which Of course
he did. II was from the day on which
this speech was made that Madame de
Stael dates the hostility Of the future En-
peror. Constant was known to be her
intimate friend. 1t was known that be
had apprizcd her of his inteution; and
she confesscs that she had encouraged
him strenuously to deliver the speech
which created SO much sensation. 80. l.
Toward the end Of September she re.
ceived, by commandant of gendarmerie
an order to retire to distance of forty
leagues from Paris, and not approach the
capital within the circle 0f that radius.
This was the fashionable mode Of exile aE-
that day, when the offence was not sufa-
ciently marked to justify bapishment
from the country. ''''''o ''''F' =
TO Madame de Stael this was the COM
mencemcnt of an exile which lasted ten
years. To the woman who preferred q
small room in the Rue de Bac to chateau
in the lovely scenery of Lake LemaIi, this
was indeed a terrible hardship. "T6u
see," she said to the gendarme, the cop
sequences Of being n femme T0sprit; and
would recommend you, if there is occa-
sion, to dissuadc any females of your fam
lily from attempting it"