Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-09


Graphic Description OF the Character of
the Emperor Louis NapOIeOn----His
Habits---The Character of the Empress
Eugenia.
From the Richmond (Va.) Examiner
The last steamer brought the news that
mysterious telegram received at the Ex-
change, at Frankfort, had suddenly caused
great CONSERVATION among the rich bankers
of that centre of continental finance and
produced a serious fall in many securities.
1t soon became known that the dispatch
spoke of a paralytic attack of the French
Emperor. The news itsclf-which did not
even claim to be offcial-may have been
true, or it may nave been a mere speculation
of the kind which once sent Lord Cochrane,
justly or njustly, into exile and disgrace
but its immediate and marked effect showed
at once the paramount importance which
makes the peace of all Europe depend on
the health of a single man. Whatever we
may think Of the morale of Louis Napoleon,
it cannot be denied that the hold he has OBJ
tanned on the mind of the French. and the
control over his 100000 bayonets gives him
a weight and influence in the affairs of the
world, which was probably never obtained
before by pdrgenu ruler 1t may, therefore,
be of some interest to learn from a person,
whom personal relations alone brought for
a time, in near contact with the Emperor
how he appears within the circle of his fam
lily, for a home he can hardly be said to pos.
sess.
His health is apparently excellent, and
such as seems to justify expectations of pro-
tracted life. 1t is true, the elasticity of
youth has disappeared, and signs of the ripper
manhood of his ffty-six years begin to show
more clearly. The form grows fuller, the
carriage less firm, the walk easier, the eve
more languid than ever, and the hair disap-
pears in all directions But what is espec-
tally perceptible by those who are not in the
way of seeing the Emperor daily, is the gem
eral relaxing of all the features Still, those
signs are nothing but what is noticed in
every man who has passed his fftieth year,
and has led an active life rich in bodily and
mental excitement. 1t is evident that the
Emperor can never have been 4 handsome
man, not even in his youth and now that
freshness and grace have long departed, his
appearance is in no wise winning The brow
is too broad, the complexion too yellow, and
the legs, half hid under increasing corpulen-
cy, are too short in proportion-a defect
which is very striking when the Emperor
walks out on foot The blush-gray ewes are
more than ever cast to the ground and even
when raised they are only half unveiled. In
spite of these disadvantages, there are noble
qualities, great calmness clearness of
thought, and irresistible power of will i'm
pressed upon that immovable face that looks |
as if it were hewn out of granite. Phrenol- |
ogists tell us, moreover, that the breadth of
the skull is extraordinary, and indicates
rare faculties, in his youth, famed for his |
skill in gymnastics, and through life an ex-
cellent horseman, the Emperor has Of late |
become very quiet. He rarely mounts his |
horses-the best in Europe-except when |
reviews and great hunts demand it, and even |
when he walks out he is apt to lean on the |
arm of companion.
His mode of life is extremely regular |
He rises early and passes a large portion of |
the day at his writing table, a necessity |
which is easily explained in man who not |
only rules a great Empire, but in his leis-
ure hours translates Julius Caesar, or invents |
new kinds of guns. His German educa-
ton has made him thoroughly at home in
and history; he speaks French
with decided accent, German and English
Latin and Italian; is an excel
lent mathematician, and, theoretically, at
least, superior artillerist, having written
some valuable works on artillery. 1t was
his good fortune, in his scientific education
as in more important points, that he was
not bred for the throne, and thus learned
more, and more thoroughly than is gener-
ally the case with Princes. Nor must it be
forgotten that he made good use of his pro-
LraCted solitude in the prisons Of Ham to
improve his mind and TO strengthen his
character.
The of-repeated assertion that Louis Ma
poleon hao led, when young, a reckless,
awless life, is not founded upon truth, nor
is there any premature decay or fearful Sc
ret disease known to exist in him. that
could be attributed to youthful extrava-
yancc. This does imply that he has always
ed a truly philosophic life; his fondness for
ards and women are too well known, but it
IS certain that since his elevation to the
hrone he has become more and more tenn
oeratc, and his beautiful wife has never had
rue cause for jealousy. At the table, he
'ats moderately and drinks very little, and
when he joins the private circle, after din
Ter, be shows no little humor, and by far
more affection than his impassive appear
lnce and stern manner would seem TO prom
Sc
Ills UltTTlOu illt i. on lic NuOlC, Il n3HlN |
nc. The Empress, who represents admira-
by and generally wears the purple with
much grace and dignity, has given him what
ne most desired on earth, a son and a sue
.esSor. His highest wish 10 found dynas-
Y, is thus apparently secured, and he is
grateful 90 her for the noble gift HIS do
nestle relations are, therefore, as satisfactory
IS they can well be in a soveTeign's palace.
G. |
ling rs in the early DAYS of her splendor, is
till beautiful enough for diadem, and UNI
lerstands thoroughly how 10 enhance her
harms by exquisite taste and imperial splen-
lor Unfortunately, she has all the pecu-
iaritics of Spanish women belonging TO the
higher classes Of society, and these seriously |
IMPAIR the power of her good influences and
he happiness of her husband. She is utter |
V uneducated, ignorant. and by no means
lesirous TO improve herself without any taste |
or higher thoughts or feelings. Her only
lelight is in tritiing conversation in every
lew amusement and n most eNtravagant cx
'enditure, Her religion is pure supersti-
ion and bigotry; her confessor is her true
ord and master, and the only serious occu-
'ation she ever engages in Is to intrigue
gainst the Emperor for the benefit Of the
Pope and the good of the Church. In pub
&c she is excessively naughty, and, there
ore, little beloved by the people, and sill
ess by the army.
The little Prince Napoleon, che pride and
he JOY of his parents, is hearty, blooming
hid, bearing all the signs Of full health and
ne natural parts in his carriage and his Ian
uage, The EmpertF is evidently exceed
ngly fond Of the boy; he romps and plays