The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-14

you. The throne Oft the Bourbons is ille-
gitimate; it is not raised by the voice OF
the nation. The people are threatened
with the renewal Of those teudal abuses
from which your victories had delivered
them"
Grenoble was one of the most impor-
tant fortified cities of France. 1t was
midnight as Napoleon reached the walls.
The commandments locked the gates and
concealed the keys. They were power
less. The soldiers and people roselas one
man, and, tearing the gates from their
hinges, IN countless crowd, delirieus
with JOY, rushed out to meet the Emper-
or. With torches and illuminations. and
ringing of bells and frantic shouts. they
conducted him to his quarters.
Napoleon allowed his little band TWEEN
ty-tour hours for rest at Grenoble, and
then continued his journey toward LYONS.
His path was threnged with rejoicing
thousands, while bonfires blazed ali night
long on the adjacent hills. The intelli.
gence OF his landing had now reached
Paris, and the Bourbons were in conster-
nation. Lyons, containing 100000 inhab-
itants, was but two hundred and fifty
miles from the capital. There were three
regiments stationed there and, in add.
ton, 10000 of the National Guard. well
disciplined and armed. But soldiers and
officers all alike shouted, "Vive T. Emper-
eur! and the whole city, like an undula-
ton, surged from the gates to meet him.
Never before had the streets of Lyons
witnessed such delirium of Joy. Here
Napoleon remained three days erganiz-
ing anew mis- government, and attending
to the myriad cares involved in govern
ing nation of 10000, 900 of people, and
IN preparing to meet the 1900, 900 troops
which allied Europe had in arms against
him.
On the 18th of March he resumed his
movement toward Paris. He had now
entered the most populous regions of
France. The roads were everywhere
lined with crowds. Triumphal arches
spanned the streets of every village,
while continuous roar of acclaim &C
! companied every step. At Chalons he
was surprised to see several artillery
pieces and ammunition wagons approach
Ing. "They were sent by the Bourbons,' -
said the poPulace, Ito oppose you. We
have taken them, and offer them to YOU
as present."
1t was no longer necessary to take any
precautions for his safety, and he drove
rapidly on, as defenceless as private
gentleman. On the 18th, IN his open
borouche, he drove sixty miles from Au-
tun to Avalon. At Auxerre, twenty-five
miles farther along, he met Marshal
Ney. Here the marshal abandoned the
Bourbons, and joined the emperor, an
abandonment which subsequently cost
him his lite.
On the nineteenth, the Emperor trav-
eled seventy-five miles to Fon ,ainebleau.
1t was, however, 4 o'clock IN the morn
Ing before he reached the palace. He was
now within forty miles OF the metropolis.
| The terrified Bourbons had fled to seek
the protection of the armies of Northern
Europe. They had, however, established
at Melun, half way between Fontaine
bleau and Paris, a formidable force of
nearly 100000 troops, here intending to
make their last stand. The royal army
was drawn up III three lines, the intervals
and TANKS being armed with batteries,
to contest the advance of Napolean and
his open barouche. About two O'Clock
In the afternoon the expectant army saw
carriage, followed by few horsemen,
descending a distant hill. The moment
| they discerned the cooked hat and gray
surtoutsof the Emperor all was over with
them. Pcnt-up love ana enthusiasm burst
all bounds. "Vive l'Empereur!" in the
thunder peals, resounded from rank to
rank. They rushed to meet their Emper-
or. He leaped from his carriage to re-
ceive them. Can pen or pencil describe
the scene2 We must leave it in depair.
The Emperor now continued his pro-
gress to Paris, accompanied and followed
by a crowd which no man could
number. 1t was nine o'clock in
the evening when he entered Paris
and drove into the courtyard of the
Tuilleries. The moment the carriage
stopped he was seized by those next the
| door, borne aloft in their arms amid deaf
ening cheers through dense and bril-
liant crowd of epaulets, hurried literally
| above the heads of the throng, UP the
great staircase, into the saloon of recep-
ton, where a splendid array of the ladies
Of the Imperial Court, adorned with a
profusion of violet bouquets half con-
cealed in the nctest laces, received him
with transports, and imprinted fervent
kisses on his cheeks, his hands, and even
his dress. Never was such scene wit
messed in history.