The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10


French government watched him very closely, and
had he violated hospitality to the extent OF I'M
perlllng the public peace in France, would
have brought complications between the two
countries. The discreet Emperor avoided any
ground for complaint and there was no trouble
whatever. Even while we were at the tomb there
came one or two groups Of French. who exchanged
silent salutations with those who were In attend
ance and knelt In prayer for the repose OF the EN-.
peror's soul. As each left he took souvenir from
the tomb in the shape OF violet to be tenderly
pressed and preserved for the eyes OF his chill
dren.
is THIS REALLY A DRAMA
confess that this personal devotion which the
Emperor seems to have inspired is beautiful trait
In his character. IL is OF course difficult thing 10
say how much is or is not acting 1t Is the penalty
OF those who lived as Napoleon lived to SEEM even
In death, what they really are not. And 1t is hard
to decide that which seems from that which is.
Napoleonism-especally the third Emperor-was
fond OF the dramatic This mans whole
life was drama. The world never saw him as
he was Even at Sedan, when the weight OF an
overwhelming, unexampled disaster would natu-
rally seem to have developed him In his real essence
and presence, he was dramatic as he had never
been before. "As cannot die at the head OF my
troops lay my sword at the feet Of Your Majesty"
What study and eject and striving for effect, for
condensation, antithess and the utmost dramatic
quality this sentence shows-which you WILL Of
course, remember as the letter OF surrender which
he addressed to the Kaiser at Sedan The only
thing can recall in any way resembling 1t is the
first Napoleons letter to the Prince Regent
when comparing himself to Thermisroces he
sat himself down by the hearth OF the English ma
ton and claimed the protection of It's laws, as the
most powerful, the most perslstent and the most
generous of his enemies. so we never know, when
dealing with the Bonapartes whether they are
natural or Stimulating. And those who hear the
Napoleon legend, all that remains OF their party,
must that nothing is done to dispel It, No word
isspoken nothing Is done at this tomb to create any
unpleasant illusions In France. Those who be-
lieved that Napoleon in exile was, like Beisarus,
glad Of an obulus, and nothing remaining OF his
grandeur but gray hairs and pity -nspirng in1rmi-
ties, are now called upon to see in these extra
ordinary manifestations Of respect and grief feel
ings that come from higher sources than ambition
and desire for reward, and show deep-rooted
affection for the man and loyalty to his system.
ENGLISH FEELING TOWARD THE EMPEROR.
curious circumstance in these events Is the
English feeling towards Napoleon. Since the death
Of the Duke OF wellington and Prince Albert there
has been no such emotion shown as over the dead
Emperor. With the exception OF the Spectator the
press has combined to speak Of him az 1t has
spoken OF no man since the Duke OF wellington
And so far as one could read the popular tokens
the grief was sincere. I have tried to analyze 1t
as curious phenomenon especially in people
as cold as the English This is the same Napoleon
whose uncle was chained to rock to live and die
like another Prometheus, who himself was de-
nounced in pen and pencil and exaggeration OF
with Nero. But all is forgotten now. He was Eng
lands friend, we are told--her true friend. He
knew the English people, and never ceased to bear
testimony to their noble qualities 1t is true he
was the friend OF England. He made the alliance
for which the world henored him., as
having achieved o result the like OF
which history could not show. But this
alliance, great as IL was ana fun OF
blessed consequences, was an idea Of Mirabeau.
Napoleon also made the Commercial treaty ana
brought the two nations together. I can under
stand these reasons; but there is another. The
Englishman has great deal Of pety In him md
some vanit es OF character. He, in his soul has
only an Indifferent respect for a Frenchman. or
course Frcnchman Is o higher quality OF man
than O Hindoo or even Turk nut he is q French
man after all, and unfit for liberty. Well, Napoleon
ruled the French, and II he did shoot number,
why it was necessary, as the only way to govern
ten Frenchman is to begin by shooting one OF
them. Then he was Nap oleon and all England
now admits that the first Of that was treated
shabb!ly. The world sees that England was afraid
OF him and had to lock him up in an island in mid
ocean. ! take 10 there Is no sentiment more deeply
fixed in the average English mind than regret for
the treatment OF Napoleon. II is the shadow that
darkens the sun OF Waterloo. SO when his nephew
came lie was welcomed with all the earnestness that
comes from remorse aud atonement. Again, 1t was
compliment to the nation for him to find home
on the soil, as the average English mind begins to
believe that the dying place Of French kings Is in
England. Add to this that the Emperor was per-
sonally amiahle, and in all respects friendly; that
he knew the English language wen, and had large
circle Of English iriends-remembering above all
that lie was Napoleon-and you will understand
the outDurst Of sympathy aud regret which his
death has inspired.
WHY THE PRINCE OF WALES DID NOT ATTEND THE
FUNERAL.
There ia no knowing but that this sympathy
might have resulted unplcasantly in some respects
but for the prudence of Lord Granville 1t was re-
solved that as o mark OF respect to the Emperor
the Prince OF Wales should, on behalf OF the Queen
attend the funeral. or course this was not usual
thing to do. But it was also not usual for Napo-
Icons and Emperors Of the French to die on English
SOIL 1t was seen that public feeling was excited to
an unusual degree, and in response the Prince OF
Wales as an exceptionally gracious act, would walk
behind the coffin side by side with the Prince I'm
peral. am told that the suggestion came from
the Queen herself In response to her commands
the Prince returned to London from his country
place on special train, which left after midnight.
The Journals breathed the fact, and the average
English mind began to grow rapturous over the
Prince OF these islands, the heir to sacred
throne the descendant OF George III, walking side
by side with Napoleon w., behind the hearse OF
Napoleon III. am not sure but that the news.
papers began their rhymes and the artists their
designs so as to catch the first market. But when
Lord Granville heard Of 1t there was earnest
consultation. What would France sayS Ills lord
ship remembered, perhaps, that an indiscretion of