New-York tribune., 1867-03-25
vr aRDOTrS COUP UErAT

IL isn't every Yankee who can storm the
doors of the Imperial palace, and intrench
himself in the Imperial closet; and 1t Is ut
tie queer that while the royal residence has
been broken into oftener than any other hui
man habtation in Paris, the person to break
into Il the most successfully should be an
American clergyman. Other visitors in other
times the august occupant of the hour would
have kicked ont, if he could; but our con-
auering comnatriot -vas trvciNed, as ne taxes
pains to inform us. "with the most gratify-
ling cordiality." Chronology is not without its
condolences. 1t was i'm February that Napo-
leon l., having smashed the Council of Five
Hundred, went to housekeeping in the
Tuileries; it was also in February that
the Rev. John s. C.. Abbott called
upon Napoleon III. Upon leaving the pres
ence, our historian wrote a long private letter
to friend in New-Haven, portraying his emo
tions and detailing the speech which he made
upon this thrilling occasion. This letter, as q
matter Of course, the friend has sent to the
newspapers-a perfectly proper proceeding.
Why should the social circles of New-Haven
have a monopoly of this interesting produc
tionf Why should such contribution TO his
tory be hidden in anybOdys breeches pocketR
Why should the public be didded out of tho
delights of this charming epistlef We have
only one fault to find. The letter should have
been published in Harper's MdgGsine, with pic
toral illustrations. Gle received me by the
fireside," says Mr.. Abbott, touchingy a pic
ture of the fireplace, with the great American
upon one side and the great Frenchman upon the
other, would have sold an enormous edition of
the magazine. Considering all that they have
Al Ill Ia,
pie have a reasonable right to complain that the
Livy of their pages did not send the narrative
directly to them; and there is a pleasure in
thinking that he has q more elaborate effort
with cuts) in reserve.
The first thing which His Imperial Majesty
did after receiving Mr.. Abbott " in one of the
interior parlors of the palace" was to thank
him for writing the Life of Napoleon l., and
for the justice done by my pen to the En-
perorp That so great man should be Obliged
to wait for historical justice until the advent of
80 small one, will remind the reader of the
lion who was caught in a net, and of the mouse
who liberated the mighty prisoner. large
number of Frenchmen have expatiated upon
the glory of the Emperor but Mr.. Abbott has
been the first to raise him to the rank of
moral and religious character; and it is this
which makes the perusal of the Life per-
petual and amusing surprise The apologies of
Mr.. Abbott have the relish of comedy. We are
always looking forward TO the modification of
murder, and are constantly curious to know by
what fine name the next villainy will be digni-
fled. We reycl in the metamorphosis
of falsehood, and. after the execution of the
Due dEnghein has received Mr.. Abbott's ex-
tenuations, we. have perfect confidence in his
Old Bailey capacity. We do not remember
that Mr.. Abbott has occasion to mention the
fondness of his hero for cheating ut cards but
if it had been necessary he is just the writer
to prove conclusively that His Majesty revoked
to the glory of God, and made misdeals for the
honor of France. Mr.. Abbott is not one of the
greatest, but he is one of the most unscrupu-
lous of the new school of historical whitewash-
ers, who start with the presumption that the
world has been all wrong, and who show their
skill and ingenuity by setting it right 1t is to
be regretted that professional decacy has pre-
vented him from tryinghis hand upon the devil.
There are yet neat things to he said in behalf