The New York herald., 1869-02-17
BERRYER.
Lecture by MIR. John Bigelow-Interesting
"reminiscences.

Lecture by MIR. John BigelOw-Interesting
"reminiscences.
Mr.. John Bigelow. the predecessor Of General Dix
as American Minister at Paris, and before that
the American Consul General in France, delivered
lecture, giving his own personal "reminiscences OF
great French barrs:er, NJ. Berryer. The lecture
room of the Historical Society, corner Eleventh
street and Second avenue, well filled by one OF
the most intelligent audiences ever assembled to
listen to the lecture OF any literary man. and the ap-
plause Mr.. Bigelow received must compensate hm
for many disappontments and many drawbacks he
must have experienced In his diplomatic career.
Mr.. Hamilton Fish, as president Of the society,
called the assemblage to order and introduced with
few well put remarks, the lecturer OF the evening"
Mr.. Bigeow, who had been the former secretary Of
the society. Applause greeted the introduction, and
Mr.. Biseow at entered into the. main subject Of
his discourse. lie said that Berger was remarka.
bic man and PROBABLY the most remarkable forensic
orator since .Arabeau. and, perhaps, since Cicero.
From his yoath up he was imbued with the spirit Of
feulasm, ye. such was his character that he could
comprehend the spirit Of liberty and OF republican
isln he lecturer then referred to the contempora-
ries OF Berger, the greatest Of whom was Guzot,
vino for some .lme after 1880 was the Prime Minister
OF France. Further reference made to the
Parliamentary triumphs Of Berger in the
Chambers, from IS4s to 1851. and to the
great effort the deceased made to have the
then Prince President ousted from his Office. The
fuUNtilelb DUb the talent OF the
leader ~ the movement was acknowledged by all.
Al critical stage Of the American war--in 1885,
the lecturer, being then the American representative
at Paris, made tue personal acquaintance OF the
great French lawyer Messrs. Mason and slldell
had made great exertons TO obtain the recognition
OF the Confederate states aud there were many hgh
and influential people IN both England and France
70 second their Efforts. M. Berger was a member
OF tue French Chambers IN 1856, when General
Jackson made his stern demand on the French gov
ernment, anu an Old grudge still lodged In his
bosom. bnt when the speaker visited him,
On on the letn @ Of Of. september, 1853, and gave
the South, NJ. Berger stated that the pro-
cauiatlon OF neutrality BY France and England
was received Dy the people IN utter ignorance OF the
true state Of affairs In America that the Mexican
expedition would bring to France neither wealth nor
glory, that any disturbance OF the friendly rea
tlons between France and the United States should
be deeply monrned and deplored. Mr.. Bigelow then
entered INTO description oi the character OF the
liglons aud dynastic that he opposed the Emperor
| as ied1ing The people no one knows whittier: de-
nounceu y. ,ne Anglofrench alliance and always ex
| "a their EFFORTS TO put down rebellion. Reference
| was mace 70 Tue legal opinion obtained from NJ.
befIyer IN regard 10 the building OF steamers in
France Tor the Confederate states anl to the seut
ments OF this eminent advocate when In l38s peacc
a,i. va Ean ,, o"ns ~ Amenca rhe lecturer. after
ceased French barIster, gave some anecdotes show.
ing the intense adherence OF ~. Berryer to
the bourbon iailliy, VINO, although he had defended
Ney ana Louis Napoleon before the House OF Peers
still Kept up a constant correspondence with the
touht NC huVm NC addressed
Henry ", King and Majesty. very telling story of
Count Bismarck was iRterwvven, The point Of which
was thai bismarck considered Berrye the greatest
and best FrenchInan living. This great Frenchman
never wrote his speeches. They came from his lima
~ complete as II they had been studied; aud com
parson with Denosthenes, Burke, Palmerston aud
webster was most happy. though the lecturer did
forget TO mention tnat M. Berger, TO the last
mo,ncnts OF ms life, was faithful 70 the Roman
Cathoic Church. Dying, M. Berger left no rival TO
take nis paye.
When Air. BGelow retired Judge Kirtland moved
a vote OF tllanks which was seconded by Mr.. broad
head aud hev. Dr. 0sgood and carried unan-
Inously Dr. 0sgood remarked about the Germans
ana cited the verse, Cneer ye, cheer ye. close the
dicaive of great merging Of nations inthis free
country. The Franks and the English were all Ger
recognized.