The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-30
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.


Lucay from the penal colony of New Gale
donia and his passage through tile United
States, on his way to Europe, have brought
him so prominently before the American pub
lie that great deal OF curiosity is naturally
excited as to the character, principles and antece-
dents OF the man. No small amount Of specula-
ton is INDUCED in as to his future movements,
and therefore q glance at his past history and
political career may be useful serving to indi-
cate the course he will be likely to pursue and the
influence he may be able to exert in the politics OF
France He is the son OF the Marquis Claude Louis
Marie de Rochef0rt Lucay, strong legltimist. who
in early lie married a wife from one OF the most
republican Of republican families. He was born on
January &c. 1880. BY both he inherits the almost
irreconcilabe principles OF absolute monarchy and
free republicansm. Six months alter his birth
came the dcwnia OF the Bourbon monarchy,
leaving his father to struggle In hopeless antagon-
ism to the declared will OF the people, RochefOrt
was sent to the College Of st. Louis to study medi.
cine and prepare himself for great career in what
Is considered high profession in France. But
his genius took another turn. Instead OF close
application IN class and in the dissecting room he
chose to scribble verses OF poetry in his dOrmtory
carrying his fancy in this direction so far that
when the examination day came he was most
ingloriously "plucked" In 1851, after failing as
teacher OF Latin to juveniles, he secured position
in the Hotel de Vile as copying clerk, at the
same period INDUCING in occasional poetic freaks.
Leaving the employ OF the governments In 1861 ten
years later, he gave all his time to writing con.
tributing to the 'Dictionnaire de Ia Converse
tionn and occasionally assisting as an editor
in the office OF the Cnartuari. Between
1856 and 1865 he wrote a great many vaudevlles,
chiefly in collaboration with other authors,
and finally he became one OF the editors Of
tributons to literature were published under the
name OF Eugene de Mirecourt," which nom dc
plane was appended to ia Marqulse de Courcel-
es'' and lie Roman dun Jeune Homme Pauvre,v
the latter well known by its having furnished
Sothern with one OF his best characters, that OF
Victor in ''The Hero OF Romance.n His articles in
Figaro were republished In three separate annual
nstalmcnts. The first, in 1885, was entitled "Les
Francois de la Decadence;' the next, In 1857,
lie Grand Boheme,r and the last, In 1858, Lies
Signes du Temps" BY this time he had, however,
become notorious for the constantly increasing
vlruIence of his attacks upon the government and
for the INSCRIPTIONS abuse he leveed agant the
personal characters OF the members of the impe-
rial family. The patience of the Ministry was
speedily exhausted, and the proprietors Of Figaro
were subjected to repeated and costly prosecu-
tons. Several judicial concentrations followed,
and at last the sale of Figaro was prOhib-
tied. That he has exercised considerable In.
nuence In the course of events in France for
the last seven years. and largely contributed
to the fall OF the Second Empire. there can be no
reason to doubt but he must be o superficial
observer indeed who would rank him among the
able men OF the republican party, such as Gam.
beta, Favre, Grevy, Picard and Louis Bianc
Rocheiort Is not great man IN any sense OF the
W0rd but he IL none the less one Of those men who
are bound to make their mark in history. Judging
from his character, temperament aud attachments,
ready and brilliant writer he is too prone to de-
scend to scurrillty and coarseness and his powers
OF sarcasm are almost unrivalled. He is doubtless
down tyrannical government, but, unless ex-
perience has considerably changed him, positive
obstruction to the building up OF free one. His
faults are more errors OF judgment than the re-
suit OF vicious disposition; for the number and /
extent Of the sacrifices he has made for repuoli..
canism leave no room to doubt the earnestness and
sincerity OF his motives His hatred OF I
and Y. a S SO SO and
are OFTEN as unjustinable as the acts OF tho |
despots he condemns. During the agitatons pre-
ment OF the popular haired TO Cesarsm, and be- |
spattered every MEMBER of the imperial tamly
grossest abuse. HIS famous Ldnte,ne and the |
Anrsetunfse, daily paper which he afterwards !
dest shade OF the Partisan irreconciables aud |
held an immense sway over che minds or the IN |
iammable and fansticslly republican population
There seems to be no doubt that Rochcfort In
early life was an Oreanist. Many men OF far |
higher pretensions In other respects have changed
their convictions, but Rochefort was evidently
ashamed the fact and strenuo1sly denied It. on
being reproacned with his presence at the funeral
OF ex.Queen harie-Amelie, in London, he said he |
was there merely BY accident but In his BOOK "IA
Grande Boheme, y ne admits he vent BY design.
However that may be, he Is now, beyond doubt .
OF the reddest hue, as few who know
anything OF the man Will be incAned 20 question
He appeared on the political arena at a time
when man Of his character and temperament
had every opportunity to acquire notoriety. France
years TO the personal rule of tho Third Napoleon:
but new generation was fast springtng up that
chafed under the yoke, and ominous muttcrings
OF discontent were heard. that competent iudges
pronounced 10 be the sure prelude to revolution
Gradually, put surely, strong phalanx of repub-
licans were being sent into the COrns I.gislet,S.
republican newspapers were established and were
obtaining wide circulation, and the long forbid.
den 'Marseillalse" was chanted deaantly IN the
streets. Lonis NapoIeon's health was falling, and