The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-10
made OF small balls OF green jade, each
no larger than a cherry. It neverthe-

made OF small balls OF green jade, each
no larger than q cherry. 1t neverthe.
less went on increasing In value accord.
ing.to popular report, and soon 1t was
worth 100000 francs. The pearls, II
was said, were OF extraordinary rarity
they were black onesl From 100000
the price ran Up to 2,0OO, 900. and 1t was
next whispered that the pearls were
alivel / must here confess my ligno-
rance; / did not know; do not know
to this day, what was meant by the
Giving pearls" OF which everybody
now began to talk. Vet these extraor-
binary reports were eagerly devoured
In the capital Of q population that Is ao-
customed to boast itself the most intel
ligent in the universe. On my return
from China ] went to Vichy. where the
Emperor authorized me to present the
ohaplet to Her Majesty, then at Ton-
tainebleau, and there, In the presence
of the Count Walewskl and Coun-
tess Walewski, l offered this re-
ligious souvenir OF tho Chinese ex-
petition in homage to the Empress.
i have always thought that the fuss
made about this simple matter-not al
together without the oonnivance OF my
enemies-had given great annoyance to
her Majesty, aud that, without being
altogether conscious Of 1t. her mind re-
verified with pain to an act which, on my
part at least, was but the expression OF
a sentiment OF gratitude
This may have been the origin OF
the Empress mistrust OF the Count; but
more recent and more serious events, OF
which the writer seems to haYe taken
no account, tended to strengthen the
feeling. The Bonapartists. have always
thought that he did not do enough In
the supreme hour Of the dynasty. "The
General Comte dc .Palikao, Minister OF
Of War" says the writer OF the Empress
and the Fourth OF September" was al
ways within the Chamber when he
should have been without-not seated.
but on horseback; not with pen. but
with q sword In his hand. y In fact, they
are. clearly OF opinion that he had
ventured one more cbhp d'etat to
check the growing discomfort Of the
capital, the dynasty might have been
saved IT the Empress had received her
present more graciously, perhaps, the
attempt might have been made. The
precise connection OF cRuse and effect
between the imperial tiff and the loss Of
throne may be added to the already
swollen list of the minor problems of
history. The Empress seems to have
inspired every feeling but enthusiastic
devotion In those by whom she was sur.
rounded. Perhaps no one else ever fell
from 30 exalted position with such q
poor show of voluntary companions Of
misfortune. The very servants OF the pal.
ace began to plumber her as soon as they
felt that the luck had turned; and, as
everybody knows. she was dependent
on foreigners for the means OF quitting
France. 1t was NJ. de Nigra, an Italian,
who handed her to her cab and diverted
American Am who advanced money " Tor Tor her lei
personal expenditure after she had
knocked In vain at many q French
mans door; it was an Englishman who
gave her the use OF hisayacht for the
Channel voyage. The Comte de Pail
kao's story may tend to explain why
she inspired 80 little attachment In
those who knew her best.