New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-30

powerful frame, with shoulders broad and full, and
limbs muscular and firmly knit. He wore his armor
without sensation of fatigue. Hisface was round,
and his full red mouth the only feature which he
had in common with bis father. His complexion
was transparent olive, tinted with q ruddy glow.
His thick, black hair hung over his forehead in
wavy masses, and flowed around his neck. His
eyes had certain proternatural cleerness; their
chances were piercing and expressive and flashed q
strange terror in moments of excitement. The
tones of his voice were agreeable and distinct He
had natural gift of eloquence, and his discourse
was no less logical than vehement.
| In his disposition, Charles was fiery and infex-
ible. OF proud and melancholy temperament he
was implacsbe in his enmites, and rigorous,
though Just in his judgments. lilo often gave way
to sudden gusts of passion, which settled into stern
fxedness Of purpose. He was inaccessible eliko TO
fattery and counsel. His first military experience
aroused an Unsuitable passion for arms. The natural
desires Of youth were consumed BY the intense
flames of his ambition.
The great rival Of Charles the Bold Louis the
Eleventh, succeeded to the crown in 1861. His
coronation at Rheims was the most magnificent
The Duke of Burgundy played the principal
part in the imposing pageant, and by his
display of wealth and spleDdor completely
eclipsed the new monarch. Louis, though
attired in crimson satin, was one OF tho
least conspicuous persons in the ovation. While
the princes and mobiles were engaged in feasting and
dancing he spent the night before the ceremony in
privacy and devotion. In the morning he was con-
Quoted 10 the cathedral where the solemn rtes were
performed in the presence of a vast concourSe. At
the banquet which followed it still the father Of
Charles who appeared as the principal fsuro
On the last day OF August Louis made his grand
entrance into the capital of his dominions. The
Duke Of Burgandy took up his residence in his own
house in Paris after On absence of twenysix years.
His presence threw air of gayey over the capital
such as it had not worn for long space Of time.
The populaee as well the higher ranks were daily
entertained by tournaments and other brilliant
spectaclcs. AT the palace of Philip, there was a
constant succession Of magnificent banquets and
balls. prince so splendid in his tastes could not
but be popular with oil classes. Louis meanwhile
employed himself in different manner. He had
no passion for shows or festivities He was seldom
seen in public, although affable 10 those who had
business to transact with him. Ho was in fact so
much occupied with the Affairs Of state as to have
no time for anything else but the performance OF
his religious duties to which he paid the most
scrupulous attention.
The external appearance Of Louis was far from
being attractive. His person was lean and III
shaped. His features were neither handsome nor
pleasing. His eyes were small and keen; his mouth
large, prominent, and dropping; his fsbby cheeks
indicated sarcastic, self-complacent, and gnoble
mind. No courtliness or dignity of manner made
up for the defects of his person. His style living
was free from pomp, and frugal even to parsimony
He travelled without state and with but few attend
ants. Upon entering town, he avoided public
reception, prcferring TO take up his quarters with
some private citizen good ecceslsshe rather than
at the moro stately residence which Ind been Pre-
pared for him. He lent gracious ear TO the petit
tons with which he was besieged wherever he went
for the dmnution Of the public burdens established
in the preceding reign. Ho discoursed in fs'ter-
ing strain of bis desire 10 favor tho interests OF the
people, and restore tho kingdom TO its ancient hber-
ties. But such object was not TO be attained al
once; arrangements were necessary meantime no
recommended patience; and by way Of enforcing
the lesson, as it would SEEM proceeded TO lcyy add
tional taxes.
At the commencement Of his reign, Louis appears
not TO have been correctly understood by his con-
temporaries. His conduct was 80 eccentric, that he
was thought to DO deficient in intellect. On tho
other hand, he 10 represented in the popular uadi-
tons concerning him as Q compound of cunningand
cruelty He is tyrant Of the most detestabe sort,
delightng 10 bring calaInities upon others and
gloating over the misery Of his victims. His fa-
yorte abode is stunned as the habitation Of demons
The park is surounoedby deep planted with steel
traps. An archer stands behind every tree ready TO
aim at tho unsuspecting intruder. The vaults be-
meath the castle are filed with cages In each OF
which a prisoner has languished for years. Such
traditions are not without bGsis. lilo arullesS
and cruelty Of Louis, the cages and stool traps, are
authentic historical facts. Still the great chronicler
of the day, Philip de Confines, pronounces him TO
have had the fewest vices Of all the princes whom he
had known. But this remark doubtless refers tosuch
moral defects as might interfere with the struggle
for power. Louis seldom deyisted from the line Of
conduct dictated by bis own interests. He never
permitted his pride, incidence, folly, or caprice to
illustrate Lis ambition. This is the explanation of
~ career which, at fist view, seems to present g
mas Of contradictions. Without trace Of ele-
waited principle or generous feeling, Louis accom-
plished vast and important work. BY the action
Of his resolute policy, feudal anarchy was crushed,
and the unity Of France preserved from the perilO
which threatened its existence.
Louis succeeded In his plans, not BY the favor Of