Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-02-06
Edmond About on Prince Albert's Death

1 GuWUUu dUOuL Ou 1I1uC6 dAO6CC UeaI0.
The brilliant French writer, NJ. Edmond
About, is at present contributor to the
feuilleton ofthe Contitutionnel The follow
ing passage is from an article in that journal,
which bears his signature:
Have you remarked that phase in the
official publication Of the English Govern
ment after the death of Prince AlLert-'It
| is expected that all persons will assume a
decent mourning ?
| ."How much is said in few words A
whole treatise might be written on them
The Queen of a great nation has just lost
her husband, and she hopes that in her three
kingdoms every person will assume decent
mourning. This is neither decree, nor an
ordinance, nor a command sent down from
on high it is simple appeal to public SYM
pathy, and at the same time reminder of
a social obligation. There is in the formula
a mingling of dignity, confidence and fa-
miliarity. You feel, from the very first
word, that the dynasty which speaks is in
the most courteous, if not the most intimate
relations with its subjects that no one dis
s:ntes its Ights-that it has no declared ene-
-Tfses e .:>,.l-sAat may
all occasions, upon that loyalty without
meanness which the English display with
sort of coquetry. You perceive Queen
who reigns and who does not govern-a peo-
pie which manages its own affairs, and fears
all the less to appear humble and submis-
sive. because it is sure to remain free-a
country of tradition, of decency. and of de-
c~um, governed by manners even more
than by laws.
."We, of course, are proud Of being French
that is all settled. But there must pass
away many years before our political man
ners are elevated to the high tone of those
of England. Nothing is more unequal,
more capricious, less logical, than our rela-
tons with the men who govern u.s. The
French people conduct themselves towards
monarchy as towards mistress. We em-
brace it, We beat it, we put it out of doors
we seek it out next day and cling around its
knees. Yesterday we could find no name
foul enough for it j; to-day we Aatter it, and
without blushing at our present bascness
and past violence. It is question Of pas
sion and temperament We adored Louis
XIV. as god, yet We flung mud upon his
funeral cortege. There was, too. the bon
hommae of king whose hands we clasped
between both our own, full Of respect for
his coifure and of admiration for his umbrel-
la, yet he had to fly in the midst of hootings,
honest man though he was in his own per-
son. With what acc!amations did we not
deafen Lamartine upon the Place de PHotel
de Vile! Appollo himself descending upon
earth to bring US harmony, could not have
been more welcome. Fourteen years after
this splendid triumph Appollo pines in hun
ger. and the generous little journals follow
him with the bitterest cries.
Il have already assisted at some ovations,
political and otherwise These clustering
scenes fill me with profound sadness. 1t
IS not Jealousy-of that you may be certain.
No! pity the recipient. should rather
see for him the tokens of decent appro-
baton. as they phrase it in London He
would then be exposed to less terrible reac-
tions.
Suppose that our old ancestors had not
left to us the Salic law. and picture to our
selves queen of France, young and fair,
choosing for her husband foreigner who
would not be king. What delicious
dream for this young prince but also what
an awakening after the honeymoon of his
popularity! What pamphlets, what coup
lets. and what caricatures! One of two
things must happen-either this unfortunate
man must shamefully fly to escape from our
popular injustice. or he must try to crush
our ill-will and to overthrow our laws
Prince Albert. for whom decent mourn
ing has just been asked and obtained yon-
der. has never been placed in this dangerous
alternative. The nation received him po-
lltely. not as stranger. but as guest; he
rendered to England courtesy for courtesy
he gave to the Crown numerous heirs, and
created family truly royal. Modest and
delicate. he kept discreetly within the pale
OF politics; bis dearest study was the educa
ton of his children; in his hours of leisure
be encouraged art and industry so we'll that.
after having lived more than twenty years
! near the throne. without eyer having been