Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-06-25
The Dead Prince Imperial.

The news from the English war in South
Africa brings intelligence of the death of
Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, only child
of the late Emperor Louis Napoleon and the
Empress Eugene, of France. In this prince
of twenty-three years were conferred the
hopes of the Bonapartist dynasty in France.
He was the Prince Imperial or heir apparent
to the throne of France, provided the Napo-
leonic succession was re-established. He
was young man Of acknowledged ability
and good parts, and in him rested the hopes
of the steadily augmenting list of adherents
to the cause which he represented.
Since the forced abdication of his father
as Emperor of France, the prince had led a
quiet life, pursuing his studies at Chiselhurst,
in England. After the first reverses of the
English in their present campaign the young
prince at once volunteered for service in
South Africa He wrote to M. Rouher in
Paris touching letter explaining the reasons
which had drawn him to the act "For the
last eight years." he said, al have been the
guest of England; my education has been
completed in an English military school,
and l have strengthened my ties of friend
ship with the English army by taking part
in its annual maneuvres. | could
not remain aloof and not share the dangers
and fatigues of the troops, among whom
have SO many friends. Moreover, the time
spent in witnessing this struggle of cviliza-
ton against barbarism will not be wasted
for me-"
1t appears that the prince, with a detach-
ment OF troops, was ordered forward into
country rendered exceedingly dangerous from
its entire occupancy by the Zulus, for a re-
connoisance. The party, after proceeding
about ten miles, halted and unsaddled, for
the purpose of allowing the prince time to
sketch site for the next camp. While
thus engaged the Zulus crept upon him, and
there he was slain by the assegais or native
weapons Of the Zulus. The English officers
present are reported to have fled and left
the prince to his fate.
The news of the death of the young prince
has excited great interest throughout Europe
The next in succession 10 the throne in this
line is Prince Louis Napoleon, son of
jerome Bonaparte, the younger brother of
Napoleon the First. 1t will be remembered
that Prince jerome was married in this
country to Madame Bonaparte Of Baltimore,
who has recently died. This marriage, how
ever, being repudated by Napoleon l., jerome
married the daughter Of King Victor Eman-
uel of Italy, who is the mother of the present
heir presumptive. This latter is, however,
very unpopular with his party in France, as
he has always been a Republican in politics,
and has been guilty Of the grossest excuses
in public and private life. 1t is understood
that he resigns his pretensicns in favor Of
his son, Prince Victor, now seventeen years
of age, who is reputed to be most amiable
and estimable young man.
However sad the death of the gallant
young prince may be, it cannot fail to
strengthen the cause of Republican France
which should be Of greater interest thar
the personal misfortunes Of any Of tn,
various heirs TO the throne under which
France has suffered so many and so serious
ills. 1t seems hardly probable now tina
any combination can now be formed which
shall seriously threaten the present popular
rule in that nation.