The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-03-20
The Opening sf the French Lesisla,vre-
Brilliant Scene.

Brilliant Scene.
Faris letters say the opening Of the French
legislative body was a very brilliant ceremo.
NAL. One account says:
AS early as ten O'Clock a great crowd w,s
. LoImeo upon the Place du Carousel. Hun.
dreds OF sergsnis de rHte and mounted y.mdarD,~,
Kept back the impatient masses as they presxed
forward to glance into each carriage .ha,
passed hastily along. At one O'Clock his Ma.
1esty the Emperor Napoleon was to onen IN.
Legislative Chambers, and amhss.sdnr.
charges and the elite Of Paris society wsre ~
witness the grand and imposing ceremoni,i
= ne cards issued to the favored few bore unon
them the notice that all persons must ,rrixa
at twelve O'Clock at latest: hence the ea riv
movement towards the SAL, d'stof entoraS
this grand and imposing hall Mt half.nnst
we've ana was struck with the brilliancy of
the coup d'0H. Senator's deputies. Councillors
marshals of France generals and Ali tho COR
gee us!y attired officers OF both the ImperiaI
housenolus were crowded into the elitierino o
"nu . saIueo ano irescoed sale. In the gale ries
tnat run entirely around the hall wore crowd
Iaoies In all the eciat OF Paris TOILET. hnh;is
Nt'Hs: Silks, satins and velyets rustled
ana glistened in the rays of the sun. "a thev
ea.le mellowed aud many -colored through the
pahes OF stained glass. All was magnificent
Al the extremity of the sale was a grand tent
OF canopy OF red velvet, made to repre- sent the
tent OF a Roman Emperor. 1t was grand. and
q. tne same tlme simple. Inside these hang
ings OF velvet stood the throne or raised seat
10 be occupied by the Emperor, while on the
steps that descended to the floor were placed
seats Tor the grand dignitaries of the empire
On the right side of the throne was placed a
tribune for the Empress and the members of
the Imperial family seat for Prince Napo.
icon was placed 1T the side of the Emperor-s
chalr Prince Jerome was not present: he ia
yet too feeble TO 20 out.
AT one O'Clock the Empress entered the sale.
universal shout of "Vire rImperatric.' greet.
eo her Ma]esty's entrance. A few moments
more and In came the Emperor preceded by
ms chamberlain and the officers Of his house.
hold ~ @rrics. An escort OF Cent G3rdes
gnttering in their gala uniforms, pressed along
III advance OF this cOrtege, and ranged them
serves behind on the sides of the throne The
Emperor having mounted the steps that led
10 ms seat, turned and bowed to the brilliant
assembly that anxiOusly gaZed at him. A loud.
'ohg ana repeated burst OF hearty cheering
sue ed' q, aud for some minutes his Mai sly
could but bow as the cheers grew m ore anC
more intense. But all present were aware
that discourse was to be pronounced by the
sovereign whom they so loudly acclaimed, and
anxiety to know what was to be said soon
caused breathless silence to ensue The En-.
peror rose and read in q clear and most dis
iinct voice his speech. At its conclusion. NJ,
Fould, the Minister of State, administered to
the new members the oath Of office and then
he declared the session commenced. request.
ing the deputies to meet tomorrow at one
O'Clock. This done, their Majesties retired
amid the most vociferous cheering and the
grand ceremony was ended 1t took hours
Tor the crowd TO disperse, and as l now write
near IN the distance the trumpet notes of the
Garde lmperiale as they returned from the
pageant