The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-26
An Interview with Napoleon III.

MI Ah'cfNieW WIN Napoleon III.
John S. G. Abbott, whose romano
ing history of the first Napoleon is
familiar, is now engaged in Europe
IN hunting over the libraries, archives
and bookstalls Of Paris and London
tor data upon which to transmit to
posterlty truthful record of the life
and reign Of Napoleon LII. Mr..
| Abbott writes to friends in New Haven
OF late tireside interview with the
Emperor, within the seclusion of one
OF the interior parlors of the palace,
where he enjoyed the unreserved CON
versation OF the sovereign. which.
however, he does not betrav. after
the manner Of some other American
writers who find themselves closcted
with rulers. Indeed, Mr. Abbott OK
cuses himself from entering into II
narration OF the conversation. re-
marking that it would not be proper
for himto record the frank expires
slons OF tie Emperor under such
circumstances, though he tells MS
that he himself referred to the AEcxi-
can question as follows:
81 have always felt it to be a great
mistake that our Government did nov
lend It's moral support to the only
Government which, it seemed to
me, promised the restoration Of
peace and order to Mexico. The
overthrow OF the empire incvitablv
! piun&cs that unhappy people into
that state of chronic anarchy which
has desolated the country now for
half century,
10 this view, the Emperor ex-
pressed his assent, saying: Il have
regretted deeply having been so much
misunderstood in America. 1t seemed
to me that It was for the interest Of
the tnlted States, rs we'll as for the
interests OF Mexico, that there should
be stable Government there, which
shonld secure protection to the peo-
pie and develop industry" He also
expressed an earnest desire to main
tam friendly relations with the United
States. Mr.. Abbott goes on to saw
that he saw no indications of i'll
health, though the Emperor looked
decidedly older than when he saw
him fourteen years ago. He alluded
IN the course of the conversation to
that interview, which was remom-
bered. AS Mr.. Abbott made his
adieu, the Emperor took him cor
daily by the hand, expressed the in
tentlon to see him again, and pro
missed 10 send him his published
works, which are quite yoluminous.
The Springfield Republicsna's Paris
correspondent writes of the Emperor
Napoleon. his wife and son:
Last Sabbath, in the garden of the
'IWllerles, | had my first view of the
Emperor-a stout, comely, well-built
gentleman, with an inquisitivc face
and eyes which seem always to be
looking at something a good way off.
Years do not seem to have told un-
kindly upon him, and he appears GER
talniy to De III the best of health. |
believe that the rumor that he is fail
Z, ing is entirely without foundation.
He, with the Empress, was in his phi
vate carriage, enjoying the fine wea-
ther. The crowd Of lookers-on on were
quite republican in their manners.
and only y one or two old men took oft
then hats. The little Prince Inpe-
rial, who | saw a short time after, has
pretty face, with no signs of cha
racter Yet moulded into it, and, to
my thinking, if his fathers mantle
tall on him even twenty years later,
1t will quite overwhelm him. But
one is never sure how these Napo-
Icons Will develop. The Empress, in
full toilet, and in her carriage, where
distance lends enchantment to the
view, IS very pretty woman, and
certainly looks far from growing old.
Her dress, O, ladies, was bluc-bluc
rs the gcntian, and her bonnet, o
charm Of charms, was not a bonnet.
but q bit OF lace, with delicate blue
ribbons. At the ceremony of the
opening of the Legislative session,
yesterday, in the grand sale of the
Louvre, Engenie wore robe OF white
satin, literally strewn with pearls.