The New York herald., 1870-11-10


pietri there met the correspondent Of the ST
| petersburg Journal, who was very downcast ii
mind beceuse he was unable to obtain an audi
ence with NJ. Pictr Towards evening received
the following note:-
Monsieur-Veuillez Je vous prie venir demair
matin . heures me voir. Jaurais a vous donnel
une reponse.
Croyez mes sentiments distingues,
+. PETRI.
(SiR--l beg that you will como to see me to-
morrow at nine O'Clock, when shall have an an
swer for ySu. ''
Yours, &C., r, PIETRI.
Punctually at the appointed hour called again
at the castle and listened once more to M.
Pietri's polite nsinuatons, to the effect that in
terviews of this description cannot be regarded
by the Emperor as very advisable or very con-
venent. Nevertheless" continued M. Pietri,
sin your case his Majesty the Emperor is willing
to make an exception; 80 while beg to remind
you Of our conversation yesterday will now 60
and announce you"
THE APPROACHES.
followed NJ. Pietri while he traversed num-
ber of stately halls and apartments which led to
the central portion OF the castle.
Having entered the large hall of State, M. Pietri
disappeared through door at one end Of 1t.
returned and invited me to enter through the
same door, while he retired.
THE EMPERoRs ROOM.
To my surprise found myself in 0 very small
apartment, 80 small, indeed that writing desk,
which was placed in the centre of the room, op-
posite the fire, appeared to take up almost the
whole floor.
was face to face with the Emperor Napoleon
the Third.
RECEPTION.
His Majesty rose from a chair near to the
desk and welcomed me with q very polite
bow. He motioned to me to be seated in o
fauteuil placed close to his own. After had
taken the seat Napoleon said :-"I am glad to see
you, sir, as I am always when meet citizens Of
your great and prosperous country"
The tone of extreme aflability in which these
few words were spoken caused me to feel at
home at once, SO much SO that I moved fully in
On the cushions Of the fauteuil and commenced
not only a conversation CON ansore, but at tho
same moment could study out every word and
shade of the appearance Of my illustrious
Uis.d-uis.
NAPoLEoN's APPEARANCE.
Napoleon's failing health, pallid complexion,
sunken eyes and decrepit condition in general,
found to be the veriest idle "bosh." The EN-
peror is stout, portly gentleman. setting forth al
the indications of the enjoyment of robust healtl
in his person. His hair shows o very slight tngt
of gray. He wears fine mustache and goatee
His face has ruddy color. His eyes, though
small, appear to be smiling with good humor and
benevolence. He has liveliness and grace in
every motion. Indeed, may say that he presents
an exceedingly handsome, pleasant exterior,
which indicates an age rather Of forty-two than
sixty years. This is perfectly true of his ap.
pearance as it impressed me during the interview.
saw such discrepancy between the picture of
the Emperor, as had previously imagined from
spurious reports what it might be, that it could
have almost caused me to doubt whether this was
really Napoleon the Third who was sitting oppo-
site and within few yards distance Of me had I
not been reassured by the surrounding objects
near the writing desks, such as miniature por
trait Of the Empress in golden frame, painted
and engraved and set in diamonds, the monogram
al. N" on the boxes, and the seals and ring
which were either lying about or worn by hi
Majesty.
NAPOLEoN's DRESS.
| Napoleon was dressed in plain suit Of citl
zen's clothing, wearing on his breast the ribbol
of the Grand Cross of the Legion Of Honor.
THE CONVERSATION.
First having expressed my Acknowledgements 0
the great kindness displayed by his Majesty il
receiving me at a time when he was SO engrosse,
| in other important affairs, ventured to add tina
his granting an audience to correspondent 0
the great leading American journal, the HERALD
was tribute to the power and influence of th
press in the United States.
EMPEROR NAPoLEoN-Yes; have we'll know
and constantly read for years past the New YoRI
| HERALD. Certainly, all must admit that the pres
is powerful institution. In France the press ha
worked much good, but also much injury. WheI
consented to its being freed entirely from thu
censorship it was seized by demagogues an(
unscrupulous politicians who openly preached
successful in perverting the mind Of the people.