The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-10
Napoleon's Career.


In reading over the report Of our correspond
ents interview with Napoleon one is irresist-
Idly leu 10 review Of the career OF o man
VINO was yesterday the arbter Of continent,
Born at the Tuileries on the Goth Of April.
1908, the first French Prince of the Bonanarta
dynasty, his two elder brothers being natives
of Holland, his birth was welcomed bv the
thunder Of artillery and was announced to
France by special couriers from Paris. His
uncle and the Empress Marie Louise were his
sponsors Josephine, his grandmother, the
discarded wife, felictated the family at the
future that awaited the infant. A few years
passed and the star of the great soldier sank.
Hortense resigned the title Of Queen and ac-
cepted that of Duchess of st. Leu. When
Napoleon returned from Elba she fastened to
greet him, but he received her coldly, say
ing, ''You have placed my nephews in
false position by permitting them to
remain in the midst Of my enemies" Never
retained the warm affection which he had con-
ceved for the little Louis. now fine child Of
seven years. The boy accompanied him to the
Champ de Mars where he was formally pre-
sented to the deputies and army. Such was
the splendor Of the scene that it was never
after forgotten. During the interval preceding
the departure of his uncle for the army Louis
was almost constantly with him. On the day
that he left he embraced the child, who be-
trayed the deepest agitation, clasping the
Emperor around the knees and begging to be
permitted to accompany him to the field:
This could not be, and but once again did he
see Napoleon. II was after the fatal battle Of
Waterloo, when he was on the point Of flying
for the coast, that Hortense brought her two
sons into the apartment to bid him farewell.
He silently embraced them, and again did
Louis give expression to an intense emotion.
A brief moment more and Hortense led him
and his brother from the room.
If there has been one feature in the career
of Louis Napoleon more distinguished than
another it Is to be found in his devotion to the
memory of his uncle. Banished from France.
his mother found refuge at Augsburg, and
finally In Switzerland, where her sons received
their education. Here the exiles became citi-
zens and served in the army of the republic.
At this time Louis was q silent, thoughtful
youth, noted for his literary studies and for
his knowledge of military science. In 1880
he applied for permission to return to France,
but Louis Philippe, who had just been elevated
to the throne by revolution, refused.
During the following year we find him with
his brother in Tuscany, and soon after particle
pating in the Roman instruction. Cardinal
Fesch and King Jerome urged them to leave
the insurgent army, and their father, King
Louis, consented to joint letter informing
the provisional government that the presence
Italy. Yielding to this representation both
resigned their commands and endeavored to
leave the insurgent lines. Hortense, one Of
the most devoted Of mothers, FASTENED to
their rescue When she reached Forli her
eldest son, Napoleon, was dead. Soon after
the unfortunate Duo de Reichstadt, son Of
Napoleon by Marie Louise, ended his earthly
career, and Louis Napoleon remained the legal
heir of the Bonaparte dynasty.
Up to this time he had been more dreamer
than anything else. Now the hour had arrived
for him to become practical. The conversion Of
Chateaubriand and others fred his ambition to
sit upon the throne of France. Early in 1886
his designs became evident, and in June, 1886,
he made his disastrous attempt upon Stras-
bourg. Taken prisoner, the devoted Hortense
hurried to Paris to plead for his life. Her
prayers were granted upon condition that he
went to the United States. He protested
against this in an eloquent letter, in which he
described the misery Of an exile's life. Had
he been willing to renounce his claims to the
throne Louis Philippe would have been less
severe but Napoleon had one idea in view,
and that was to avenge his uncle upon Europe.
After brief stay In this country, during which
he became known to nearly all of our promi-
nent literary men, he returned to Switzerland,
arriving in time to close his mothers eyes In
death. She had scarcely been buried before
France demanded his expulsion from the re-
public. Switzerland at first refused, but the
pressure brought to bear upon her was too
strong, and Napoleon was compelled to retire
to England. Here, in 1888, he published his
"Des Idees Napoleoniennes." The year fol-
lowing he embarked on board small steamer
with Count Montholon, General Voisin and
fifty-three others, and, landing near Boulosne,
endeavored to win over the garrison. Failing,
the party attempted to retreat, but were sur
rounded and captured. The Prince was tried
before the House Of Peers and sentenced to
perpetual imprisonment in the fortress Of
Ham. Nearly six weary years were passed in
confinement. Louis Philippe refused to per-
NIT him to visit his dying father, although he
offered to bind himself to return. At length,
ON Nav o. 1916, he escaped from the fortress