The daily gazette., 1879-07-30
FIRST EDITION.
Henry ". of France
[IIondon Truth, July III

London Truth, July N.]
In 4S, when men were musing ~ 70
who would be the next ruler Of France,
Lord Normandy told Lord Palmerston
that the Comte de Chambord was much
respected by politicians Of all parties, but
that for the present ''his chances were
quite out of the question" Aud they
always have been out of the question,
except on one memorable occasion. In
1873, he could have become King Of
France had he willed It. After the over
throw Of Theirs everything was speedily
arranged for his restoration. A jsweller
In the Rue de 10 Psix showed me pat
tern Of the Generals sash which had
been ordered for "His Maj s,y;" beau
tiful one 1t was, too, flashing with dia-
monds and gold. A state carriage had
also been ordered. Then came that un-
fortunate declaration about the white
flag, and even MscMshon sorrowfully
acknowledged that the Princes injudi-
cious speech had trebled the difficulties
Of the Conservative party. Yet there
were men who fancied that had Henry
Capet boldly presented himself before
the National Assembly in person he
would have been proclaimed King by &C
clamation. 1t may be 80. What strikes
the warmest admirers Of the Comte de
Chamhord Is that lack of imagination
is the most serious defect in his charac-
ter. Genius might almost be defined, in
Aristotelian fashion, as the energizing of
Imagination. A man who thinks greatly,
or even picturesquely, and is true to his
Thoughts in word and deed Is Q man of
genius. II he had merely noble thoughts,
minus their embodiment 10 action, he is
= dreamer, a lofty dreamer If you will,
but nothing more.
"What happiness It would be-" once
said the Comte de Chambord to friend,
ITO charge a. the head of French regi-
ment of cavalry r. There spoke the old
knightly and royal blood then the black
coated gentlemen Of the nineteenth CEN
tury added: "Of course 1 mean il war
were absolutely necessary" lie Is brave
enough, this descendant of Henri Quatre
and of st. Louis, but smitten with that
incurable modern disease of "buts and
ifs and ans" In q word, he falls below
the courage of his convictions. 1t was
this doubling spirit which estranged from
the Royallst cause the Marquis de la
Rochejaqulein, whose ancestors had re-
peatedly laid down their lives fer the
House Of France. 1t Is fair to add that
NJ. de la Rochejaquelin gave rather
burning counsels TO his sovereign. But,
as Arnold finely said, there are moments
when folly Is wisdom. Assuredly 1t Is
possible to count the cost too carefully,
and after all even We peaceful English
think more kindly Of the Chathams than
of the Walpoles Of our annals.
His last hope Of reigning has increased
since the misfortune which has befallen
Prince Louis Napoleon in Zululand.-
NM. Rouher, de Cassagnac & Co., say
what they may, will not transfer their
allegiance to Plon-Plon. The ex-Bona-
partists may consent to become Legiti-
mists, and then IL the republic comes to
grief, Henry v. may possibly sit for
while ON the throne Of his fathers. One
should add that he has never looked un-
kindly on the Bonapartes. or course the
two Napoleons were usurpers in his eyes
but they were not traitors like the Or
leanses, and they tried to be civil towards
the elder branch. Napoleon LII. enter
tanned strange fancy that the Comte de
Chambord might be induced to "adopt"
the Prince Imperial, and so win for his
son the suffrage of the Legitimist party.
Negotiations were actually set on foot
for this purpose, nor did the Count de
ChambOrd show himself altogether in
disposed to lend an ear to this remarka-
BILE "fusion" scheme. The Comtesse de
Chambord was at least not hostile to the
even more cordially than her husband
does, who indeed has forgi ven them, or
fancies he has. Moreover, enthusiastic
partisan as she Is OF. her husbands rights,
Her Royal Highness does not lin the
opinion OF her Intimate friends) greatly
care to see her husband de facto King Of
France. He Il the lawful sovereign, aud
that Is enough for her. Were he to ex-
or 3ise power he might be assassinared or
there might be smother revolution and
some unpleasant little drama hike that of
| '93 be re.enacted. One Is not quite GER
tain whether the Comte de Cham bord
himself Is very anxious to live In the
Chateau OF v6rHal lies. he likes good
days sport, wound up with q. quite rub
ber, and knows that as reigning mon
arch he would not have quite so much
| time for his favorite pursuits.
The distinction between ruling and
governing Is to him inc0mprehensibl
And yet he would govern "eonstitu-
tionally," only His Royal Highness is
not particularly successful in his endeav-
ors TO trace the boundary line between
prerogative and privilege. Practically
M, de Chambord means that he wishes
to have as much power as was enjoyed
by Louis XVIII. and Charles X, but ha
would shrink from the autocracy Of q
Louis XIV.-probably, too, from the
respo possibility attached to so despotic 9
swav.
After lunch, which Is served at noon,
the Prince will often take drive lin q
closed carriage) with his wife. Dinner
at 6, and rarely lasts more than three
quarters of an hour. At 6.45 coffee Ii
served in the drawing-ro0m and hum
drum evening Of piano, cards and gossip
closes the day. One evening Roger waa
present and was Of course requested to
play. BY the by the Prince joined him
in a famous duo from The "Fille du Regi-