The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-10-08
IN 1NTEnHrEW WITH NAPoLEoN
An Interesting Sketch.

A correspondent sends to the London Stand
ard, of September "a, the following account Of
an interview with the ex-Emperor
NV mind, full of gorgeous visions Of an I'm
perial staff In every variety of brilliant uni
form, quite failed to realize the idea that the
quiet looking gentleman In plain dark morn
inp-suit who stood waiting for me at the top
of the stairs, could possibly be General Reille,
the Emperor's aid-de-camp, and accordingly
followed him, with but very slight salute,
/ looked vainly round for the magnificent per-
sonase with whom expected to have to deal.
Nothing, however, was to be seen but rather
small room, scantlly furnished, with settees
covered with ragged yellow silk. and OPEN
ing by folding doors into rather larger
room beyond, in the centre OF which
stood long, narrow table, surround
good-naturedly at my blunder, the General
conrteously informed himself of my business,
and took in at once to the Emperor my letter
and request for the honor OF an audience. In
less than three minutes he returned with re-
quest that would follow him, and passing
through an ordinarily sized room, In one of the
two windows of which stood three or four
under tones, while another was busy at
table covered with numerous journals In
French, German and English, the General,
with the announcement "Sd Mdjeste fEn-
pereur,n ushered me through small door In o
corner OF the room, and / found myself, not
only in the presence, but face 10 face, at less
than arms length of him came to see. AS L
seat myself in the chair to which am cour-
teously invited, and fix my eyes upon the
worn but powerful face which turns to me
from the small writing table, from which he
has risen to receive me, ! feel that am In the
presence of the man on whom has hung Tor 80
many years the peace Of Europe, and, with
the leeling, the comic element which has de-
cidedly prepOnderated IN my experiences
hitherto passes altogether away.
If am asked what was the predominant
impression left on me by the conversation
which followed, reply unhesitatingly, the
strong feeling OF the Emperor with respect TO
England. Almost the first words that passed
his lips were an expression OF qualification al
the numerous letters Of coincidence and SYM
pathy lie received ''s.nce his misfortune from
persons who were perfect strangers to him. .and
there was nothing on which he seemed to
dwell with so much pleasure as on the advance
which has been made during his reign In the
cordial understanding between the two coun-
tries. "7Nhen came TO Paris" he said, There
was still great remains OF the old ill-teeling;"
and he dwelt with marked qualification on the
change that had since taken place. He was
much Interested, too, in the condition Of Eng
llsh feeling at the present time, questioning
ME closely on the subject, and expressing his
regret at the tone assumed by q portion of the
London press. The monstrous statement OF
his having misappropriated some 6o,OCo,OOo OF
the army votes seemed particularly CALLING TO
him. "As if,n he said, 81 could possibly have
done such thing. g.even If had desired It." He
spoke ostteelingly, also, OF the terrible catas-
trophe OF the Captain, expressing the strong
est sympathy, and dwelling upon some OF the
details of the accident In o manner which
showed fully the interest lie had taken In IL.
The assistance given by England to his wound
ed soldiers had evidently also made great
impression upon him. Speaking of France,
and of the present condition of affairs there,
his tone-which in dealing with other matters
had been earnest. but not uncheeriul-sad-
dened vislbly, and he sighed heavily as lie
spoke Of the state of things at Lyons and else
where, and of q not impossible future In store
for Paris There was not the slightest appear
ance of resentment In the way in which he
spoke of the changes that had recently taken
place, but o terrible foreboding of what might
come, his whole air and manner Iorcib!y re-
calling to every mind the well-known lines
"Oh my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows,
When that my care could scarce restrain thy
riots,
What wilt thou do when riot Is thy careW
Iventured to express hopo that all might
vet 20 well, and that before long we might see
him once more at the Tuieries He sat for
some moments silent, then, with sigh. turn
ed again to me and said, mo one can tell-no
one can tell, sir, what may happen now."
Such Is O brief, but, 80 far as it goes,
thoroughly truthful account of an interview
which, ! am faln to confess, lett on me very
deep impression. The cordiality of my own
reception cordiallty due, ! am bound to say,
exclusively to my nationality, fol. had no
other claim whatever-fnlly confirmed the
more than friendly sentiments expressed to-
ward my felow-countrymen. and left the lit
tie one-windowed room in which | had had my
first interview with the man who, till yester.
day, was one of the mighLiest sovereigns Of
Europe, more than ever penetrated with
sense of the loss England has experienced in
his fall AS passed out, q long line of sight.
seers from Cassel were drawn up In front OF
the principal entrance, at some twenty, yards
distant, and ut the foot of the lawn, In full
view OF the room had Just quilted, on omni-
bus, gaily decorated with Prlsslan, Hesslan,
and other flags, was discharging It's load OF
newcomers to add to their number. thought
once more OF. the careiny-guarded privacy Of
which had heard so msch-and wondered.