New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-21
FRANCE AND THE ZULU WAR.

IhE ROMANCE OF THE AFRICAN CONFLlCl.
A DIsGRACED FRENCH OFFICER MEDuATEs SUICIDE
HE GOES INSTEAD TO THE CAPE AND DRILLS
THE zUIUs-THE WAR DUE TO HIS TEACHINGS
THE PRINCESS DE BAUFFREMoNT's MrsFoR-
TUNEs-TUE EMPRESS EUGESIE's INCOME
MORE IMPERIAL FRAUDS DISCOVERED.
lrRoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRrBUSE.l
PARIS July Al am fond OF investigating into
remote links in the chain of causes which lead to
great historical events. Yesterday | came upon
some which showed with what trifing means the
Destiny which shapes the ends Of nations worked,
I'm producing the Zululand catastrophe They were
revealed to me by an eX-othcer of the Imperial
Guard, Captain Prosper lie Luyere, who. in making
them clear to me. took back to the month of
January, 1868 The SchlcswIg- HOlstein war was
then being fought. few months previous, at the
opening of the French Chambers, Louis Napoleon
had appealed to England to aid him III eflecting a
settlement of some vexed European questions. by
oonsenting to send representative to a Congress
called by him. Earl Russell sent a grating reply.
Soon after it was published there was
gay dinner given at the Trois Freres Provincaux,
now frequented by oxcursionists in search of
cheap food, but in 1863 the resort of wealthy
about-tOwn. of young gaudins IA term no longer in
fashion, and artistic and military "heavy swolls."
company OF twelve persons had met in private
saloon to partake Of feast ordered for them by
major of the Guard and TO rejoice with him an
offer of marriage which he had made TO an heiress
Of the La Croy family being accepted. They and
the host made MP the uuIucky number Of thirteen,
for two other bon UiUeUrS who sent excuses at the
last moment had been also asked Deep draughts
Of Manuals champagne were drunk by the Amply
trion and his friends After coffee was handed
round. card table was opened and every one
sat down to play at lansqucnet Among
the players were ~ Yeda, son of the theatre
cal manager who directed the Theatre
Francais when Rachel made her debut on its
boards, and Captain Lambert, an officer Of much
promise He was a terrible laay-kilier, and a pro-
dIgious favorite at Court. There was not finer
looking fellow in the whole Army, though he was
short and rather thick set. He carried high, a
head which was soder-like and expressive of in
tellect and energy. There was joyous frankness
I'm his speech which seduced hearts at first sight
His wonderful go" was not incompatible with
courtier-like TACT discretion and insnuating adj
dress. Lambert was the banker. The lansquenet
was going on merrily, whom Vedal suddenly
Jumped up, rushed on Lambert, and Selling
him by the arm, cried: "You are n scoundreliy
cheat" The officer his feet in
stantly and raised his hand, but not in
time to prevent his accuser slapping him on
both checks. The other players interviewed. Yedal
was asked by the hOst-Prnce de Baufremont-to
apologize. He refused, and proceeded to demon
| strate the rogush tricks of Captain Lambert. The
attempt to cheat too evident to be denied. An
Rnglishman named ST. John, and a natural son Of
the Enperor and of Miss Howard, were deputed to
90 and state the whole affair to the Colonel of the
| blacllle2'3 regiment, the 4th Voltigeurs of the
| Imperial Guard. A court Of honor met. 1t
was formed of Captain Lamberts messmates.
They sentenced him to Immediate retirement
from the Army" Their Judgment was kept as
private as it was possible 70 keep 1t. When
IL got talked of at the Cafe Helder " the
! Black Man" was sent around to the Journal
10 order them TO keep silence The affair, however,
was mentioned in the German, Swiss and Belgian
papers, and 1t became known beyond the Fourth
| Votigeurs. Lambert was expelled, despite the
| friendly Intervention Of De MOrny and influential
| members Of the Imperial household. Princess Ma
thilde interfercd in his behalf with prominent mem
| beers of the club committees, but in vain. Captain
Lambert was cut in the Boulevards and insulted by
! chums who had before thescsnda got out wondered
| how it was that he was very successful in
PLAYING against them. In q word. ne found that he
| was ruined man. Suicide proposed to him by
n near relative, aud he, following the counsel,
! started off TO jump into the Seine from
! the Art Bridge. On his way thither he saw lights
| in the windows of General Robin, the Project of
the Palace his own godfather, and was drawn to
step mp to embrace that rough and ready soldier ere
he flung himself into the river IL was bitterly cold
night Lambert was chilled to the marrow The
General was cordial as Noticing the depressed
mood OF his godson lie spoke TO him in this wise
The Emperor has received from the Cape lot of
Constanta wine ont Of which he has sent me a
dozen bottles 1t is an elixir Of life. Take glass
of Il, You want flip badly" Lambert wrung
| the Generals hand. The Constantia was produced.
Ii unoosed the tongue of the dlsgraced officer. who
confded to his godfather what Inc was going TO do.
| IF YOU could not leave France" said the Cen
eral 81 should advise you " take the fatal leap
| into the river Death any day, you know, before
dishouor. But why not emgrate to anew country
where Won are unknown under an assumed name,
and turn over a new leaf. II you eschew gaming
You will, | have no doubt, make your way. Take
nv advice my boy, and may good luck attend
voup "But where shall / gof Paris swarms with
Americans "Why, to the Cape for that mat
| tor II is long voyage from here | shall soc that
Won are well recommended to our consular agents
| there"
"Its a good idea," replied Captain Lambert "
sball start next week. Commend me to the En-
ncror Tell him that shall never forget his Kind
ncss. and that wherever go | shall consider my
,elf his servant, If he but doigns to accept my
services"
al tell Won WHAT broke in the General. there
| Ia much bad blood flowing Just now between him
and England, which is jealous of the annexation OF
| savov She nays his Majesty in most provoking
way. Reinstate yourself by making aIlles Tor your
cole omong the wild tribes of South Afrca, and by
tcochine them the art of war. Your future lies III
| that direction"
This conversation was related by Captain Lam
bert 70 a few Of his old military chums. fort
night after II took place he started for the cape
from Bordeaux under Imperial auspices.
| lINI' D-'"'' &. rrifh