The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-03
turned out quite differently from what might


turned out quite differently from what mieh
have beon expected. The man of matur,
years who had married beautiful girl, "
far from heinz nrorious, gave f]iis young
wife just cause FOR complaint, and tried hel
temper sadly. One favorite after another
and some were of the lowest order-wae pub.
licly distinguished. But even then, strange
to say, there was nopublic sympathy for the
injured wife. In France, as q rule, there il
little sympathy for conjugal misfortunes
She had married from ambition, it was said
and had got what she desired; domestic
happiness was quite another affair, and be.
longed to another class of bargains.
The Empress, it must be added, was ne
patient Griselda, Whiting meekly on hel
lords wilt. She fretted and scolded, and
made "scenes;" she rated soundly the
complaisant abettors of her husbands fol-
lies, and, in fact, always succeeded with
time in getting rid both Of them md of the
rival of the day. No man or woman who
really offended the Empress ever kept q
place ut the Tuilleries. It WAS in those
days that, emboldened by the conscious.
ness of her wrongs, the Empress acquired
that fearless, outspoken tone toward bel
husband which gives her now such power
No rebuke can silence her no fear of mari
tai displeasure or respect for appearances
can stop her when she is in her mood. Now
| no man in an exalted station-to say moth
ing Of q sovereign-oan afford to squabble
with his wife before company. Those
who do not care for appearances will
always get the better of those who do
and to wife who does not mind
scene" a dignifed husband mus
knock under in public. When he has
done this, the way of mastering him il
found out, and it is not always easy for him
to resume his authority in private. Al
time has progressed, too, the will of the
husband has become less rigid, and the viii
of the wife more fixed. This is natura.
result which gentlemen who marry late in
life never seem to anticipate. In marrying
woman much young than himself q man
NAV, perchance, secure docile companion
for the first years of wedlock, but with fa1
greater probability does he take to himself
domestic ruler for his declining age
After sixty, the will of even obstinate men
generally begins to relax; at forty, wo-
mans will is at its strongest.
In the first years of her married life, the
Empress had no pretensions as politician,
and she chiefly sought occupation for her
mind in dress. Others might be fairer
which was not easy; others might be wit
tier, which was not difficult; but she could
and would be the best dressed woman in
the world. Paris was the capital of ele.
cance and good taste, and in Paris she
would reign supreme. New fashions-and
alas at the same time, new openings for ex.
travagance and folly-were daily invented
under her patronage. This was no harm
less diversion, rs might at first sight appear
in q sovereign, and system Of luxury and
reckless prodigality was inaugurated under
her auspices which has done much to create
hatred and contempt for the Empire among
the soberer classes of the community.
cannot on this occasion dwell on thu
mischief it has done rs regards the bes
characteristics Of Partisan society in times
gone by. Then ii was that the Empress
Eugene earned from the Partisan public
the surname Of Crinoline l., by which sht
was so long distinguished, and that repu
tation Of frivolity which she will never b.
able to shake off.
Times wore on, crinoline went out, and thu
Empress went off; she was to be regent il
case of the Empcror's death, and something
must be done to make her popular. She
suddenly came out as i sister of charity
and mother Of mercies. A naturally kline
disposition made the past easy to her. Al
the patronage OF all the State charities O.
France was ut once centralized in her hands
She became, BY right Of office, the patron
eas of all COOL works. The philanthropy.
| of her Majesty, indeed, is sometimes inju
dicious it is very troublesome to prison
directors, and, in general, to functionarie
Of the " Assistance Publique."
Yet another change, and the Empress ap
| peared before the world as "superio
woman" This is her last Transformation
and neither her education nor her habits o
| life fit her for it. She now stands up TO
the intellectual claims of women, and dis
courses on art, science, and literature
mot wisely" but too much. She speak
! huently and we'll, and as there are Away
plenty of people ready to afford her infor
nation, she retails it to chance visito
very creditably now and then.
SAS IL thC obiy PSioOh AZ Sah II uCs' AAS
at least, is sure to stand by Napoleon w.
she will not betray her son. For this
among other reasons, her influence is great
and it is supposed to be constantly exerte'
to urge tho Emperor to vigorous resistance
as regards Liberal encroachments. TIL
Empress Eugene is gifted with indomitabl
courage and few men can stand being
twitted with pusillanimity by brave wo
man. Many follies have been COMMITTEES
by prudent men for no other reason.
In conclusion, the Empress's unpopularit..
is of negative character. She is though
to be Catholic and opposed to Liberia
concessions, but she is personally powerles
at present. Should the time come whel
she may be able to suit her actions to he
words, the same populace which cried ~
baS pAutrichienne " to Marie Antolnnett
would soon cry I'd bas pESpagnole to En-
qenie'' Three times within the last sixt.
years the French have rejected the idea
child king under q woman's guardian
ship; they are scarcely likely to submit t
it now.