The New York herald., 1869-11-21
NJ. Ferdinand De Lesseps.

the Suez Canal, past and present, Its completion and
opening. the muster OF crowned heads and distin-
gusned personages and the peoples on Its banks the
presence and inspiration Of the Empress OF France,
the reorganization OF great feet for Its passage
IN the wake Of her Majesty's yacht, the signal the
start the through and time to Ismaiiia 1t Ia
but proper that we should conclude with sketch
OF the life OF M. de Lesseps the guiding mind under
which all has been accomplished, prefacing the
biographical sketch with the most pleasing feature
OF the announcement Of his approaching marriage
to OF IN Paris. the blooming and happy
bride being IN the - year OF her age.
M. Ferdinand de Lesseps is the son OF Jean Bap-
tlste Barthelemi Baron de Lesseps, who was born
at Cette French port in the Gulf OF Lyons. in the
year 1885. His father was, for five years. French
Vice Consul at st. Petersburg In 1855 he accompa-
MES La Perouse on his voyage to KamtchatKa.
whence he brought, by land, the papers containing
a description OF the expedition In 1888 no was
Consul at Cronstadt and ST. Petersburg. From st.
Petersburg he was called by the Emperor Napoleon
l., IN the year 1912, to Moscow, and appointed
ntendant OF the latter city. In 1914 he proceeded
to Lisbon, and was stationed there Consul until
1923. He died in Paris May Q, 1884. His son Ferdt
oaentiy in his sixtyiourth Year though his appear
IL that OF man little past middle age In 1925 ha
was attache to the French consulate at Lisbon TWO
years subsequently found him engaged IN the COM
merciai department OF the French Ministry Of
Foreign Affairs. During the latter part Of 1928 he
1881 was despatched by his government as Consul
TO Alexandria, In Egypt. Seven years subsequent
IN bis thirtynfth year he was sent as Consul to Rot
terdam. From this place he proceeded to Malaga.
% ms sss H s ps u n
the same he was transferred 70 the consulate ~
years., he was especially active. and and sSnsy ais.
tiDguisned himself against the reign OF Espartero.
sent to "e take the place Of A. Lasaetts lie lie did
not remain long IN Egypt. Returning TO his former
position In barcelona he was witness to some OF the
scenes OF the Spanish revolution OF February In
1s4s ne was appointed French minister the court
or Madrid. Remaining at the Spanish capital ABOUT
ayear. he returned to Paris immediately after the
revolutions OF 1s4s and In May OF the following year
despatched envoy OF the French republic TO the
republican government OF Mazzlni. at Rome where
he took leading part IN the abortive negotiations
which preceded the restoration OF the Pope by a
French army , In n ISL ne received commission sts
to negotiate with SAID Pacha for the construction Of
the canal. first projected In 1915. Accordingly to-
ward the close OF that year, we again ind him
on the lsthmus preparing for his work. HIS
mission crowned with success and the
necessary concession was made In November OF that
year. naace and retnue or servants were
signed to his use, aud he was treated as guest OF
tlon followed, especially from England. and it was
not January, 1885, that the second and fuller con-
cession was granted by said Pachs and the "Inter.
national Company fully organized.
In 1858 N. de Lesseps succeeded In raising two
hundred millions OF francs in France alone, and IN
1859 he proceeded to Egypt and planted IN the har
Dor OF the ancient Pelusum, where Port Said now
stands, the Egyptian nag. Laying at the same
time the founoation stone for lighthouse he
proudly proclaimed the work commenced. Fresh
ANTIQUITIES, chiefly OF political nature interposed;
but Lesseps despared. In 1859 he had the sat
isfaction OF seeing his company and work placed
upon firm footing though the flna decision OF the
French Emperor was not given till July, 1854, and
from that time TO the present hour the canal has
steadily progressed.
The personal appearance of NJ. de Lesseps is very
striking; though long past middle age, he has
fresh and even youthful appearance. Both face and
figure well preserved; his slightly curling gray
hair setting or In pleasing contrast his brozed yet
clear complexion, his bright eye and genial smile.
He is somewhat over the medium stature, is pos
sessed OF q compact and well knit frame. he carries
his head erect and moves about with buoyancy
and animation perfectly marvellous IN one OF HIS
years. His address is that OF the French gentleman
he Is: his manners are winning. his voice clear ana
under most excellent control. What is, perhaps the
most remarkable is that with great genteness OF
speech and suavity OF manner he combines q
strength or will and steadfastness OF purpose
worthy OF Napoleon Though beset by difficulties
and scofed aud Jeered at alike by friend and foe,
he has never for one moment swerved from
his purpose or relaxed his efforts to accomplish
IL. Neither the sneers Of Stephenson anu his associate
English engineers nor the heavy broadslde oil the
London "Thunderer" ;" made any visible Impression
on the Will conduct OF Lesseps. lie early learned
to labor and TO wait. "J'dl pour DrtnciDe us cone
fnencer par duofr u cotddHce'-"My prlnciple from
tha commencement was TO nave confidence