The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02

| Baden while the limited means OF the latter con
fine them to the humble but ever gay villages on the
| coast OF Normandy. There we'll known localities
on the northern seacOasts that likewise frequent
ed by the efite OF French society, and sometimes In
great numbers-sucn for instance. as Dieppe, Deau-
vile and Trouville. The latter place Just now Is
| overlooking with the nabobs and the grand of all
countries. English, Americans and Spanish are as
| numerous as French. the ex-Queen Isabella and
suite are there occupying no less than sixty rooms
at one OF the leading hotels, for which sue pays the
| tribe OF 800 900 month. l suppose this includes
board as well lodging The last rumor about Isa-
bella Is that the Emperor has persuaded her to abdi-
cate formally and in favor Of her young son, the
Prince OF the Asturias. She might a. well, for
her chances OF returning 10 the throne OF Spain
are very small indeed; yet there are fools and
dependents about her who have constantly sought
to persuade her to the contrary, far more
in their own interest than hers. The
scales are beginning to fall from her eyes ana the
receptions OF the syc0phants about her are being
brushed away. Should she abdcate at once and In
the right time her little son, an interesting boy Of
twelve years. might be taken up to settle the vexed
question Of the future monarchy. l was amused
10 hear the other day that Isabella, while talking
with friend Of mine. began discussing the peculiar
tiles OF various natOnalites that she had met types
OF, and after commenting on the English, French
Germans. &C.. suddenly sue broke out with an en-
phatic expression OF her liking for Americans
''ies," she declared, "they are straightforward,
honest kind Of people and mean what they say.
They dabDie little IN compliments ana sometimes
lack in ceremony and form, but you can believe In
them and rely on them" This sounded oddly in the
n %9asa OF woman VINO was not supposed to be
very words. She must have been favOrably i'm
pressed by some Of our Ministers at Madrid. But to
| began Ny saying this was the very height of the
dead season, yet don't know when We have had
IN re- WEEK. began ~ the splendid Se
scribe this for It's details would swallow up the whole
letter and dozen more IL was the centennial an
niversary OF the first Napoleons birth, and the an
nual celebration Of the 18th OF August was, there
FORE more brilliant this year than ever before Far
greater expense tnan usual was lavlshed upon the
OF amusement or ornament that could be invented
or imagined. After the fun of the day was over
celebratiOn-the fireworks and the Illumination. A
new site selected this year for the former, and
better TO one than ever before It. was vast plain
Mars. where the last exhibition took place.
This afforded ample space for the untold
thousands assembled to witness this brilliant
sight without Inconvenience or J0stng. 1t also en-
abled his Majesty TO treat his liege subjects with
slc0 display OF pyrotecnnics as was never witness
ed here or elsewhere previously. Nothing That In.
genuity could DEVISE nothing the most liberal ex-
pendlture could supply was wanting to make this ex
this anniversary. The Partsans and pr0vlncials In
countless numbers, were In ecstasy, and not mute
IN wonder were frantic with Delight But after al
iete. The Champs Elysees q mile and quarter in
length, were hung on both sides In glitterng fes-
at one end lit up with electric light, and at the
other end the great square, called La Place de ID Con-
coTas Sc.ua ally; ostnsd in dassng sea Of glare
Tuileres, which was illuminated IN every possible
fashion, but the most imposing effect was
alleys formed by the noble trees OF which there are
80 many. AL the public buildings OF Paris were
em All ~ n
government and done on q scale that outran compe-
titon; yet the most interesting, II not the most I'M
posing part OF the display was the universal private
illumnatlons OF houses, shops and cafes. When
gas was too expensive Chinese lanterns were re-
sorted to e, nasse, and 1t amusing to see some
times single one hung out OF garnet win
dow In all parts OF Paris. No better evidence could
be given than this popular tribute to the memory OF
year to his honor, being, as said, his centennial
anniversary aud those who doubted the duration of
mlsgivings gradually Oozing away as their eyes
wandered up and down the spacious streets In every
quarter OF the illuminated metropolis.
Last, but not least. the day was slgnaized by an
unexpected act OF imperial clemency. An amnesty,
unconditional and unrestricted, for oil political Of
fences was proclaimed all over France at dawn of
day, and hencefOrth the word exile s plotted from
the French vocabulary: No man now need pine IN
exile mas greater charms t0r him than her housenold
gods can offer him. MartyrdOm for opinions sake
is at an end in France. and those arch enemies Of
Napoleon, the brilliant Victor Hugo and the great
socialist Louis Blanc, with long line Of others.
may now take the first train and return to their old
"
never cOnsplred, fOmented sedftiOn or worked at
revolution. The amnesty was, In fact, SURPRISE
was considsred improbable from its very podness
When, however, 1t was really announced, ana
was found TO include all ranks OF offenders and
free from all regulations and exceptions everybody
was astonished and most OF all the recipients Of the
pardon. Public opinion has warmly and unani-
mousy endorsed this sagacous act Of clemency and
the praise grows louder the secret leaks out that
the Emperor incurred the risk Of q new ministerial
Crisis by insisting on free pardon to all alike. Sew
nra Of ma fhna af
tnat conditions should be annexed While others
thought the amnesty unnecessary aud dangerous.
soned and argued, and at last appealed 20 his ad-
vis0rs to withdraw their opposition to his
wish to commemorate the day by an act OF grace.
This was irresistible, and the Ministers, though not
convinced gave way and cOuntersiened the am
nesty. The journals OF Paris which lay any claim to
impartiaity or freedom from party bias are
but the ultra party prints whose very
heroes are returned to them en- masse have
ate and hesitating TERMS Is It that care great
deal less for the dear friends now hurryng back 10
years 10 painting the sorrows and mlseries Of polt
Cal martyrs, or are they annoyed and embar-
raised &C losing such excellent pretexts for
making war on the imperial regime which has be-
come second nature to Them Is 1t both Of these
Be 1t what, the journals of tile "irreconcilabesu
draw their appreciation very mildly. and it very
easy TO see that they are looking very anxousy
about for chance to pick naws so as to resume
their wonted dlttles OF censure and abuse.
leon has outgeneraled them again, and 1t is loudly
asserted by close observers that the Emperor was
never more popular in his whole career than ne ID
at the present hour in France The English journals
have behaved with the utmost magnanmity on this
occasion: They have dropped criticism and aban.
dOned all cavil, and fairly, loudly proclaimed the
amnesty not more liberal than 1t Is wise and even
generous. The Times mas utterly changed its tone,
and shows that all the late policy OF concession to
public opinion on the part of the Emperor has
surprised If net discounted them. Lots Of
shrewd people besides the Times, both In
England and France have been astounded at the
pr0mptitude and boidness of Napoleon IN giving
up his entire system OF government, and Degin-
ming to search for some satisfactory solution Of this
perplexng mystery The Ti,nes has maze up IT,
mind on the point and made 1t known with Its usual
ability but 1t VIII lack novelty for your readers ut
least since ventured 10 state a month ago that
the Emperor was preparing the Transformation Of
nus government, with the simple view Of paving the
way Tor the accession OF his son. ] declared, you
may remember and as your dies Will show, that
Napoleon had accomplished the mission he had LAID
out Tor himself and that henceforth the keynote Of
az MS policy would be the future interests OF his
heir II IL as evident to him to others that hts
son, Whnt0v6r big utelliQenCe. cOuld Qutd0