The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-10
OBITUARY.
Prosper HIerlmee.


A cable telegram announces the death of this
distinguished author and member of the French
Academy He was born at Paris on the 2Sth of
September, 1903. His father the painter
Merimee, Secretary of the School OF Fine Arts.
After receiving an excellent education the SUBJ
ject of this sketch studied law and was received
as an advocate, but instead of practising his
profession be at once entered into the service
of the government at the same time making
specially OF literature, which occupied all his
leisure hours.
After the revolution of 1880 Comte dArgout
appointed him Secretary to bis Cabinet, and
subsequently, he became Secretary to the Minis
ter of Commerce and Chief Of Bureau to the
Minister OF Marine. In 1881 he succeeded NJ.
Nitet as INSPECTOR of Ancient and Historical
Works of France; but this position he abandoned
almost imme dately after its acceptance to re-
enter the Ministry.
NJ. Merimee nade several tours through
these journeys ere his "Voyage dams lie midi
de la France" (S35-S) Voyage dams rouest
de Ia France CS36-S), "NoN aye dams Auvergne
ct dams Ltmousin' 1885, ''Voyage en- Corse"
QS40-S), Monuments Historiques" Qhis being
report 10 the Minister of the lnterior), "Pein-
lures de leglise Saint-Savin," with designs by
Gerard Seguin (1S44). In 1Sl0 while on a visit
to Spain, he became acquainted with the EN-
press Eugene, who seems to have borne him in
friendly remembrance after her elevation to the
throne. The revolution of 1913 was supported
by him, aud the Provisional Government APP
ointed him one of the commissioners charged
Orleans family.
Some time AFTER because the courts had con-
domned NJ Libri, an old friend of his, for contu-
macy, NJ. Mermee published two letters in the
HecUe des De,tL- londeS, sharply criticIsing the
action of the Judges. For this he was brought
before the Court aid condemned to make an
apology. as also to suffer fifteen days imprisoH-
ment. He succeeded NJ. Nodlier in the French
Academy. Never havings been at any time q
Republican ne was one of the earliest to give in
bis adhesion TO the Empire, and in 1858 he was
appointed Senator of Franco. He was named
Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1860,
having been for several years previous an officer
of The order.
1t would consume more space than we can
spare to name all the published works of NJ
NeIimee, They are quite numerous and volumi-
nous, and have won for their author decidedly
high reputation.
BY his death the French Academy loses one
OF its most brilliant members.
Tlh-spc, Prince of Kung.
A cable despatch from Bombay, via London,
mentions a report that the Prince of Kuug has
been murdered in China. Should this report
prove true it will be generally regretted by all
foreign Governments, as the Prince was one of
the most iii eral men in the Empire. He was an
uncle OF the reigning Emperor Ki-tsiang, and
brother of tue Emperor EIieng-fuDg, who died
in August, 1861. For many years he had held
important positions ia the En- pire, and after
the death OF his brother he became regent, and
held that Office during the minority of Ki-tsiang
He first obtained reputation in Europe and
which follow ed the last war between China and
Great Britain and France. Appointed absolute
plenipoteDtay to negotiate a treaty, he aston
isted the representatives of the allies by dis
play of diplomatic skill they had hardly cx-
pected to meet with in China The treaty which
he concluded was as advantageous to his coun-
try as to England and France, and was observed
with scrupulous fidelity until lately. To the
influence OF the Prince of Kung was due the
appointment of Mr.. Burlingame as Envoy
Extraordinary TO foreign powers and it is said
that he gave the mission hearty support and
did all in his power to make it successful.
At this time he was Prime Minister of the En-
pire, which position he had held from the close
of the regency. He did much to extend the re-
sources of China and to liberalize her policy and
place her Oh footing with the civilized nations
of Europe aud America. If he has been murdered
we may depend upon it that it has been because
his enlightened and progressive policy was ini-
mical to the wretched barbarians who have for
some time past been engaged in the bloody
work of massacring foreigners The Prince OF
Kung probably endeavored TO suppress these
barbarous manifestations, and became victim
to his humanity and endeavors to advance his
people to the height of Christian civilization.