The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-03-22
Literary FInnkeyisun.

Mr.. John s. C. Abbott has written TO
New Haven paper an amusingly selfconceit-
ed letter, giving an account of his recent in
terview with the French Emperor, the honors
with which that august parsonage received
him, and the conversation which ensued be-
tween them. Mr.. Abbott is preparing to add
to the list Of his popular romances on the
Lives Of Eminent Men another on the sub
ject Of Louis Napoleon; and he informed his
of the spread-eagle kind, in which he manag-
ed to introduce every fact in the history of the
Emperor which would be likely to be recalled
with pleasure. The effect was as grati-
flying as might have been expected. Mr..
Abbott beams with delight over the
agreeable things said to him "by the
fireside, entirely alone, in one of the interior
parlors of the palace, and with the most graft
flying cordially" With becoming reticence
he decides that 1t would not be proper to re-
cord "all the frank remarks" which the En-
peror made in response to his speech, but he
says
In reference to the Mexican question, l re-
marked: Il have always felt it to be great
mistake that our government did not lend its
moral support to the only government which
it seemed to me promised the restoration of
peace and order 10 Mexico. The overthrow
OF the Empire inevitably plunge that uDhap-
py people into that state of chronic anarchy
which has desolated the country now for half
century,"
To this view the Emperor expressed his as
sent, saying, III hare regretted deeply hdring
% nh
seemed to me, that it tcas for the interest of
the United States, as i1eu as for The inter
ests of Merico, that there should be a stable
iqorerhn,ent there, ,ehich shoald secure pro
lection to the people and derelope Industry"
lie also expressed an earnest desire to main
tain friendly relations with the United States.
Mr.. Abbott is freely welcome to all the
honor which is to be got out of this express
sion of his views on the Mexican question:
The French Emperor, fortunately, is much
too shrewd to suppose that such opinions are
shared by any large number of Americans,
and therefore their expression can do no
harm. But We cannot help wondering wheth-
er this obseQuious gentleman in the imperial
back parlor, who so cordially approved Louis
Napoleon's attempt TO overthrow the peacea-
BILE and lawful government of Mexico, and
who feels so much regret at the failure of that
portion OF the scheme to establish a great
Latin empire" ON this continent, also regrets
in the same degree the downfall of The South
ern Confederacy, which was to have been the
chief ally OF Maximilian's th;one.
! 1t is touching sight to see these two great
and reliable historians performing katop to
each other, and complimen.ihg one another
on their literary achievements. At the con-
clusion Of the interview, says Mr.. Abbott, the
Emperor "took me cordially by the hand, ex-
pressed the intention to see me again, and
gratified me by the assurance that he should
send to my address copy of all his publish
ed works. Did that gentleman, in return,
present to his majesty copies of all his own
contributions to the great cause of letters?-
Surely, one might compassionate even Louis
Napoleon under such an infliction.
I We make one more extract from this letter,
which our readers will doubtless agree with
us is worthy of Yellowplush himself. The
Italics are not ours, but Mr.. Abbotts:
The next evening | was honored with a
public presentation to the Emperor and En-
press at magnificent soiree in the TuiIerles.
Four thousand guests were present. The
presentation scene was very imposing. II
may not be improper for me to state that /
was hoDored with particular attention. When
my name was mentioned, the Emperor APP
preached, and taking me by the hand, said:
II am happy to see you, Mr.. Abbott. Ibid
you welcome to the palace OF the Tuileries..
This 'oas an honor phieh tcds not conferred
upon any one else. f r ..r.s.r i.. ...-