Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-01-21
Napoleon BOnaparte and Nine. De Stael.

From their first introduction, Nine De Stael
never liked Bonapsrte. He inspired her with
an instructive dread feeling which was not
unique in her. Being an earnest lover of true
Liberty, she early OWNED his ambitious projects,
and foressw the despotism that he was working
TO erect. That which characterizes Bonaparte's
government, she says, 'is profound con-
tempt for all the intellectual riches of human
nature virtue, dignity Of soul, religion, enthusi-
R5r1. be would desire TO reduce man TO mere
force and cunning, and TO designate everything
else as mere folly and Stiffness. The English ir-
rtate him above all because thew have found
the means of combining success with honesty: q
combination which Napoleon would have US
taasider to be impossible" The dislike was re-
c.procaL she pretends to speak neither Of me
nor Of politics." said Napoleon "yet / do not
know how it happens, but people love me less
who have been with her. She gives them fan
CItll notions and of the opposite kind to mine"
Al another time he said, mime. De Stael has
shafts that would hit man were he seated upon
rainbow. In the year 1900 he established him
self in the Tuieries, where he held sovereign
court, which in gorgeousness would not have
shamed the ancient regime In that same year,
French society, though still mixed with base al
10y, had resumed much of its old briliance. and
gathered as usual around different nuclei. Mime.
Eecamier was then in all the delicate flower OF
Eer youth and exquisite grace Nine. De Wis
cont in all the blossom Of her majestic beauty
Ame' Josephine Bonapsrte gave splendid
reunions, and the Princess De Polk small and
exclusive parties In such salons gathered
whatever Of beauty, wit and birth the guillotine
had spared But most notable and most brilliant
OF all these gatherings were those of Nine. De
Stael, whose genius and celebrity attracted the
finest inteliects of all nations. Brilliant as are her
works, her conversation is said 10 have been in
tn!tely more so. You find that she writes well
hear her talk, and you will find that she writes
badly" said contemporary. She lived above
all by conversation and in conversation It was
in that her genius was most thoroughly aroused
and was most thoroughly original. 1T was 10
that" says Saint euve, that she Instructed,
and, as it WERE renewed herself increasingly.
rather than by prolonged meditation. Conver-
sation was her Inspiration and her muse" The
night before Benjamin Constant her most init
mate friend, made his speech in the Assembly
against the growing power of the First Consul,
he dew her aside. II make this speech" he
said, "to-morrow night your drawing-room
viii be deserted" Il know IL But you must
DO what is right" che answered intrepidly.
These representations were correct A party
Had beAl arranged for that night by 9 o'clock
she rad feceiyed letters o. excuse from every
person invitef, not one Of whom came. What
could more eloouently describe the Blavish ad-
GlAtion Of the PahaAns 10 their Molochl But
Fogche waited upon her and told her plainly
.as. Napoleon saipecteS her OF having eompos'
ed that speech. A short time a'tsrwArd she wa
commanded 70 quit Paris and not. 70 RESIDE
within forty leagues OF u. In vain o. Joseph
with whom She passed tho last few days OF he'
Parisian residence, intercede for her. Inc Coh
enl vas immovable. No greater punishhen
Conld be imposed upon her than banthuls,l
e,orn her beloved psris, and within the prescrip
"a liurits he wandered from village % village
10 thoughts ever turned % The one spot MY
fho enc melancholy longing .ts' H1-'N N''E'