The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-08
FRANCE.

The Prince Imperial as Temporary Head OF
the Army-YOung Napoleon at the Centen-
sry Celebration of the First-Hish Mass In
Presence Of the TrOops-Marsbal Neils
Funeral.
PARIS August 20. 1859.
The return OF the young Prince from the camp Of
Chalons ana the Emperor's partial recovery from
his severe attack OF rheumatism the only incl
dents OF the day, with the exception Of comments
on the amnesty ana the contested appointment OF
successor to the nigh post held by Marshal Nell.
That Napoleon really is recovering can naturally
inferred from the fact that he has already taken
little exercise the apartments Of st. Cloud, but
the papers express surprise at the silence OF the
Aoniteur on this small incident. as II royalty had no
right to enjoy the privilege Of lumbago In private
without informing the nation by special trumpet
CALL
Some OF the Oldest ofcers relate how very credltaby
the young Prince has for the first time gone through
the ceremony Of representing his father in the midst
Of the French army on the day Of the centenary Of
the great Napoleon. He was received by General
Bourbaki, who Is commander.in-chief at ChalOns,
and escorted by the Cent Gardes to the One-st0ried
pavilion, built OF wood, which Ia reserved for the
Emperor's After the arrival Of the Prince the
usual retraie aux fanabeauI, retreat by torch
light took place. It has often been described in the
HERALD as most imposing military ceremony. 1t
The men assemble at eight O'Clock in front Of
the camp, each holding o torch which he
nourishes about wildly, and at a given signal
$50 drummers begin stirring roll; it sounds some
thing like low artillery firing until relieved by the
trumpet call. Then all advance up to imperial
quarters and when there lower their torches. The
din Ia terrific. Soon they break Off and march BACK
the torchgbts gradually fading away, DINNER and
DINNER; the drum rolling more deafened, the trum-
pet less clear. At ten O'Clock 1t Is all over the camp
Is silent and dark.
The first celebration OF the following day was
mass, to which the early trains mad brought in
thousands of people. The altar was raised in front
Of the imperial quarters, in open air. carpet and
chair being placed for the Prince the edge Of the
turf. This was where the band stood which
accompanied the chair, the bishop Of Cha
Ions ofllciating. The men, all equipped for
81 tSS S Fsa as to ssy
did. The cavalry were all In saddle, the infantry
held their chassepots. and their swords cleaned In
| the sun long way on. They ALI joined In the Te
Deun. At the elevation guns were discharged and
the drums beaten; every head bowed. and about 100
to be forgotten, and rendered impressive to stran.
| gers by the knowledge that these men who are 30
reckless OF life In their way look beyond It TO
| higher power than that which they serve.
Alter mass the troops denled before the young
Prince, in the centre Of glitterlng stair, IN,
| quickly by and cried "vivasn when near
the Prince. After the infantry came the
| As soon the bugle sounded the charge up the
slope they dashed, shouting loud, and did not stop
laundering until close TO the saluting point, about
| fifty yards from the star. This dene was followed
by distribution OF the cross to the appointed after
which the real fete began for the soldiers who re-
ceived extra rati0ns.
The Prince, who had earned his breakfast and was
ravenous had to do the hOnors OF the imperial table
to the officers and representatives OF foreign armies
The other great display Of the week, in very dr.
| ferent order of ideas, was the burial OF Marshal
| Nei the deceased Minister Of the War Once
The service took place at the "Invalidesv No Iess
| than $4,000 people had assembled between the
Ministry where he was laid out, ana this edince
His body was at eleven O'CLOCK placed in triple
coffin. The outer one was Of oak and mahogany
lined with satin. At twelve the dgnitaries Of state
met in the salon OF the Ministere: When the body
left the building the cannon fred, bells pealed and
mufiled drums began. The c0rtege was interminable
The same chariot drew the Marshal's remains which
had been used for the obsequies OF the Duke de
Morny, M. waiewski and NJ. Tropong. Some OF the
ensigns OF the deceased were placed on his bier
others carried on cushions behind him-they were
his crosses or orders, his marshal's baton and the
| sword he wore at Solferino.
His Soern0 war horse. O bay followed.
The Church Of the lnvalidea was hung with black
drapery, relieved by silver Characters forming the
names OF the Marshals chief fests-Rome SebastopoI
| BOmarsund, Magenta, SolierinO, Constantine and
above these waved the Old tattered raQs preserved
at the lnvalides, which have been WON 81 France
In the centre OF the chapel was erected the cata-
| faque having round It's columns and at tue four
corners statues representing Faith Hope. Charity
| and Religion. Large lustres burned and glowed
| among high tapers. The altar was covered with a
Yeti OF Grape. on all sides stood out the letter N
| with trophies behind. The Archbishop OF Paris ana
his grand vicar were In the choir; the corps dpio-
atiQue the CHIEFS OF the army and navy In the nave
| The Emperor was represented by the Duke OF
Cambaceres and Prince OF Mosk0wa, the Empress ~