The Republican journal., 1875-04-22
"You would like to see Her Majesty p

l replied l had come with that hope,
and then smiling she went out the same
door, and the Duchess of Malakotf and
her pretty daughter came in and chatted
a few moments. The most of their con-
versation was that they did not like Eng
land-it is too h'iste and cold and toggy.
Then complimented me on the impression
my little attention and verses had made
upon her Majesty.
ROYALTY RECEIVING AN AMERICAN IN BED.
Presently the Countess de Clary came
and told me that her Majesty, being
slightly indisposed, had kept her bed that
day, but if | would excuse her for being
in bed she would receive me there. fol-
lowed through small room. furnished IN
rs poo: a manner, where her Majesty sits
most of her time at work embroidering or
reading or writing, into rather larger
room, where her Majesty lay in bed. A
bright fire made the room look cheerful
and pleasant The bed is much nicer
piece of furniture than anything else in
the house, and is handsomely hung with
silk curtains Her Majesty lay there
among the pillows, decked with dainty
little white lace cap with blue ribbons,
and handsome night dress rich with lace
and embroidery, and tied at the throat
with blue tie. A tiny table held cup
of chocolate and silver tray OF b0n-bons,
while another little table held draught-
board, with the men in position. which
showed that she had been playing.
Her Majesty smiled on seeing me and
told me to be seated, and then began
speaking, saying that she had been very
much touched by my delicate tlattery.
seated myself before her and remarked
. we'll each trait in her still lovely visage
the while she spoke. She made two or
three remarks upon the disagreeable
weather, and finally asked me why |, being
! an American, felt such an interest in things
not pertaining to a Republic. | told her
that in a woman's heart there are two SEN
timents more deeply migrated than love
of vernment-sympathy for misfortune
and admiration for courage and true
womanhood.
She smiled and then said:
You have just come through France,
YOU say what do you think of France as
a Republic ~
| replied that. although France was an
apparently successful Republic, it was
in reality failure; that Frenchmen are
not made of the right stuff for republicans
/ hey lack that fixed purpose and tirmness
of character that our republicans have,
aud that same lightness of nature does not
let them study to the foundation the prin-
ciples they advocate, and which if they
understood they would not wish. for they
entail too many sacrifices. In a word.
they are too flexible and light and selfish
and gay to ever be republicans and if the
hoy ntr.yy hn
public?
Her Majesty looked thoughtful, and IL
nally said:
SO you think France can not exist as a
Republic ?"
Ireplied, NO"
She then continued:
But | would like to understand why
France can not be a Republic when we all
see that America tsp"
replied that France could be repub-
lie were it not that her people are not re-
publicans in any sense OF the word. Also
a Republic is born not made Our repub-
licans who nodded our Government went
into wilderness with AK in hand, and
hewed out and built up, little by little.
that structure that even monarchs admire.
No people who have always loved and re-
vered one ruler or another can ever bow
to an impersonal, vague thing that seems
to them a bare fact, shorn Of all the pomp
and pageant of royalty. Frenchmen's
hearts crave beauty and glitter, an idol
for whom to die; a certain real, beautiful
and glorious actuality that they can see;
not chamber full CT men like themselves
who present no one Of the qualities which
can charm his heart.
Her Majesty looked at the Countess de
Clary and smilingly said:
II never heard this question better ar
gued." Then she said:
''What do you think of my son, the
Prince Imperial? Do you think the peo
Pile love him ?"
Ireplied all had ever heard had spck-
en- Of him in terms of affection. both in
England and France, as well as where
ever had been.
She asked, "Ilave we many friends in
America ?" / told her that all America
were her friends, perhaps now more so
than ever
The Americans are good people and
always liked them," she said thoughtfully
then rising on her elbow she said earnest
ly:
THE Prince, my son, will soon reach
his majority and finish his studies at Wool
wich Do you not think that will have
much influence in France in his tavor?"
| replied that it undoubtedly would.
"Ah, well, he is fit to reign in all ways
she sighed, land he loves his country and
his people, and wishes them well, and so
do L.
Then she changed the conversation and
asked me few personal questions, as to
my writing, and when | told her that |
was now publishing three books, she re-
quested that should send her copy OF
each. | asked permission to dedicate
volume of poems to her, but she told me
that she had refused so many like requests
that she could not make an exception, al
though she would gladly do so. Her Maj
esty also asked many questions about Cal
iforna, all of which answered as true
daughter of that blessed land ought to,
and then was permitted to retire. On 60
ing out the door of the bedroom | turned
to take a last look of the beautiful Empress
who had carried all hearts by storm, be
they of kings or peasants. She lay back
there. her rich golden hair loosely caught
under the tiny coquettish bit of lace and
ribbon, the fair fullness of shoulders and
bust halt revealed through the embroidery
on her night-dress, and the tower-like
strength of her round white neck made
more marked by the blue tie. The soft,
white hands are as plump and dimpled as
those of a baby, and her complexion is
delightfully."- clear and fine. Her profile is
clear cut and of a high cast of beauty, and
her mouth is a marvel OF sweetness-and
sadness except when she smiles She
babe me an reroar instead of ''good-by,"
and SO some day hope to pass another
hour with the queenliest queen Of all, the
Ex-Empress of France.
On leaving her room the Lady of Hon
or had some refreshments brought, and
also on leaving placed in my hand pres
ent from Her Majesty, which it is needless
to say shall keep as long as live
Uounr lady in Ca,, horouoL a.,