The New York herald., 1873-10-22
sInews ofwar II was easy to outpsce Jerome ana 50


who had never inspired moneyed men with much
confidence. Dutch Louis bought or brought over
to his side the principal red republicans and, In
fact, all such republicans as. having obtained no
posts OF emolument under the new Republic, were
beginning to think that the revolution OF ls4s had
done much less for the good Of mankind than
1t had promised. He further organized formi-
dable Bonapartist propaganda by means OF tracts,
songs and pamphlets in the provinces, and. In the
upshot, as we know, was elected President by
Napoleon through his altered phases Of conduct
from this time till the proclamation or the Empire
in 1852. sunlce it to remark that all he said and
did was at his Cousins instigation, and that even
when he seemed to be acting In opposition to the
Presidents policy he was but faithfully obeying
secret orders. In . letter written to Prince
Napoleon by the Presidents secretary, Mocquard.
on the Goth OF December, 1s4s DETER since found,
with many others equally curious, at the Palais
Royal under the Communel, the whilom restive
cousin was thus significantly reminded Of his
duties:-sThe Prince-President desires me to
explain to you that he win admit OF but one viii in
his family, and that you have the alternative OF
operating with him cordially or OF taking up your
Prince Is ready to forgive the past, but with
respect to certain rumors affecting his legitimacy,
which you have been the means Of industriously
circulating-no doubt unmeaningly-he directs me
to point out that even II these rumors were true
which you well know they are MOTT would be less
easy for you to impugn the Princes parentage than
for him TO prove that your father's marriage with
the Princess Frederick Of Wurtemberg was illegaln
Prince Napoleon took the hint. Dutch Louis, being
now in possession OF the State archives, could
prove what he pleased, and common prudence
suggested the most absolute subserviency to his
wishes. So Prince Napoleon, being elected
Deputy for Corsica, set himself to play the
part OF wlre-puller to the moderate repub-
licans, whilst his cousin, Prince Peter Bona
parte, son OF Lucten (the same who, In 1870,
slew Victor Noir), discharged similar functions
among the red republicans. Both these Bona
parties used to 60 whispering about the lobbies
that the President had not the slightest intention
Of oyertnrowing the Republic but was anxious
that all liberals should join with him In keeping
back the royalists Of both branches. They invited
republicans to dinner, voted with them nattered
o word wrought SO diligently In their Cousins
interest that when the Empire was restored each
reaped his well-earned reward. Prince Napoleon
was created prince OF the blood, a general Of
division, senator and Grand Cross OF the
Legion OF Honor, and received, he and his father
Jerome, 215o,ooo between them, as well as the
revenues OF the Palais Royal to support their dig
mites. at this date commences the third stage or
Prince Napoleon's career as
THE MEcoENAs OF THE SECOND EMPIRE.
A stout, Jolly.humored man, fond Of good wine,
convivial suppers and pretty women. he divested
himself of his Casaric manners and set up as q
bon uicant and patron Of the arts But, as 1t was
essential that the imperialists should have foot
and an eye In every camp, it became Prince Ma
poleons special province to feast and encourage
such men as the Emperor could scarcely have re-
ceived at Court without attracting unpleasant
comments-that is, free-thinkers, cr0tchety phi
losophers and propounders Of socialist schemes.
Prince Napoleon gave himself out as downright
atheist and gathered round him ste. Beuve, Ernest
Renan. Havin, editor OF the democratic steele;
Gueroult, editor OF the Opinion Ndttona1e; Edmond
About, Emile Augisr, Emile de Girardin, Louis
Jourdan, and multitude Of Others ejusdem
Jdrin9. Most Of these distinguished per-
sons would have remained radicals had not
Prince Napoleon's hospitality Afforded them an
agreeable excuse for being imperialists. Both at
the Palais Royal and at the sumptuous Pompeiian
villa he built in the Avenue Montaigne the Prince
caroused with those whom the clerical writer,
Louis veuillot, called his "conclave Of inndels;n
and, the better to mark their anti-Papist senti-
ments, they loved to choose fast days. and espe-
The religious papers shrieksd, bishops remon-
strated with the Minister OF Public Worship, the
Empress would look grave when her Cousins
doings were bruited, and the Emperor would oc.
approval Of the Princes proceedings; but at bot
tom 1t was an understood thing The Bonaparte
Mecoenas would tell his guests that in his heart Of
hearts, the Emperor was q sceptic too, but de-
barred nom confessing 1t by q regard for
the clergy and the morals Of his
people; and the guests would laugh at
both clergy and morals, as they drank in cham.
pagne to the propagation Of Messrs. Darwin and
Littre's theories concerning our first ancestors,
the tadpoles and babboons. Not doubt OF it, they
were merry set; but 1t must not be concluded
from this that the Prince scattered his money in
large handiuls. On the contrary, he was ever
prudent with his disbursements, which accounts
for his immense wealth at the present moment.
1t was maxim with him that no man really wants
nnnro than a n00 franca l41 onoA a ranr. thornfora