Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-11-30
Napoleon III, Duke of Reich
stadt.
From "DOmn the Danube in Harpe,ts.

IFrom 9Dorn the Danube" in Harp6,fsl
There is something exceedingly
touching in the history of the uniortu-
nate duke, who during his final illness,
thus composed his own epitath: Ma
poleon Francois Joseph Charles Bona
parte; born King of Rome-died
lieutenant in the Austrian artillery
Handsome, accomplished, brave, the
inheritor of a splendid name and daz-
cling glory loved almost to idolatry
by the country in which his childhood
was passed magnificent future
stretching before him-fate frowned
upon his brilliant prospects, gave him
a weak constitution, wretched health.
bitter disappointments, and was only
kind in leading him to an early grave.
He breathed his last at SchOnbrunu,
i'm the chamber once occupied by his
father, and in the neighb0rhood of the
imperial chateau where he was wont
to take his solitary walks.
He seems to have been completely
Jlase from his childhood, and of so
melancholy temperament that scarce
" anything gave him pleasure. Every
thing was done to cure him of his
gloomy Indifference, and, when all else
hod failed, he met in one of his lonely
rambles beautiful peasant girl, with
whom he fell in love at first sight. She
appeared tc return his affection. Her
society aroused him from his lethargy,
and endowed him with new life. She
first taught him, it is said, the nature
of happiness, and by her presence the
dreary emptiness of his being was de
lightlully filled. Peasant as she was,
she was graceful, accomplished, witty
and to his fond fond fancy she was as
a goddess on the earth. He revealed
TO her all the sources of his discomfort,
poured into her cOnliding ear the
secrets of his thoughts and the sacred
est of his feelings. She was the single
break of blue in hia clOudless sky, and
in that blue was set the star of hope.
One evening he was in the city. and
attended the opera. When the ballet
came on, among all the dancers sud
denly flashed form of wondrous beau
" aud grace, agile as fawn, 1.-the as
q spirit, and the theatre echo d and
re-echoed with welcome to the new di-
viniiy of the dance. The pale youth
flushed. and his heart beat quick.
Was he dreaming, or was the sylph-
like creature bounding and whirllng
ON the stage his beloved Earle, whom
he had preferred before all the ladies
OF the court:
He rubbed his eyes and loaned for
ward, his very soul burning i'll his face.
The lovely and guileless peasant whom
he had worshipped and admitted TO
tie innermost sanctuary OF his spirit
ond the magnificent dancer OF the
opera were one and the same. The
blazing theatre grew dim; the tumul-
tous applause was no longer heard:
the unhappy prince gasped struggled,
swooned, and amidst much excite
ment Was borne to his carriage.
The charming dahcer who had fas
cinated him was the famous Fanny
Elssler, then at the beginning of her
extraordinary conquests and career.
She had allowed herself to be used by
his relatives as u bait to ensnare the
young dukes affections, in the hope
that through her some interest iii life
might be awakened. The Ingenious
aud handsome boy pleased her, no
dOubt. Her vanity was gratliied at
tie expense of his final faith. He
never recovered it is said, fiom this
sudden and terrible shock, and She
was literally paid.