New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-29
LOUIS NAPOLEON, PRINCE IMPERIAL
ANECDOTES OF HIS BOYHOOD.
From The Pen


The anecdotes of his childhood are delightful, as
showing his ingenious nature, and the love he ha,!
for his father and mother On one occasion he nad
been taxed with dlsrespccttul behavior 30 tDe I'm,
pre IS and as punishment, the Emperor degraded
him in rank (he was enrolled III the regiment OK
the Guard as soon as he was shortcoatc1, aHu at
this time was a c0rpOral thus his epauctS were
laid aside for a time. This was a cause or great
distress to the poor lad, and Mis- pride was terribly
wounded somehqw or other ne story goC r mo 10
the newspapers. That day while walking out IN
the Bots he met one of the officers OF the regl-
urent with crimson cheeks and downcast eyes he
first passed him. then, suddenly summonlhg courage
turned and addressed him thus Monsieur, per-
baps YOU have heard what the newspapers say or
me that have been degraded III the service be-
cause was disFespectfu to my mother However,
assure you it is not true love her 100 muEn 10
le disrespectt to her Please mohs9 h ee my NY
soils nor could he be conltorted until the officer
promised to Justify him IN the face OF the resl-
ment -.
tarv was displayed very early in life, and tunny
incident may be quoted to show this. Nict
Emanuel had given him lovely donkey OF Wnlch
he became very fond but the donkey oella sro s
willed, like his master, frequent conllicts Ior
supremacy the result. one DAY the brlnce
conceived the brilliant idea that he would IKE ms
net 10 march ND stairs into the upper rooms or the
Tuileries Naturally the lquadruped objected but
his master insisted and the customary Datte
ensued 10 no purpose until lie petit Prince carfaeu
the dav by summcnng the servants some 10 place
the donkeys fore feet the stairs Others the LIND
feet and so they reached their destination. T..
lie was exceedingly fond Of drawing-a pursuit Il
which the Emperor did not favor, as being OF 100
absorbing nature for one who had duties or so
wide and general a character but ms tendency
could not be suppressed, ana vehted I'setl i in
TO subrnit 10 tonsOral offices of which he seems 10
have had some dislike. he was all loved to sketch
while under the coifieurs hands, and exceedingly
clever these scraps ae said to nave Deeh' I'm IN
modelling he was also remarkably skl!fuI. Inc
Prince Imperial Nas an early suHerer from SEER
and painful maladles, having had two very PAD
cases of abscess in the hipolnt, and an attach Oh
measles from which he did not recover Tor a long
time. While yet young ne was mace TO t%Kg ris
position in all court ceremonas, and In IuIuIunB
the duties of his rank he was taught 10 derive
satisfaction At all reviews, at the openln4yI tIte
Chambers he was invariably seen at bis fatner
side and acknowledged the greetings he received
with undisguised pleasure. Every one conVersanU
with the Court life of the Second Umpire VIII re-
member the share he took In the dramatic repre-
sensations vkich were q favOrite amusement ut the
various residences of the Emperor, go
The careful blending of the physical WIN the tne
intellectual training OF yOung Louis was admir-
able and when at nine years or age ne lelt petSl-
coat sway, the choice of male governor was maze
in very clever manner. The Emperor was tqlk-
ing TO General Erossard one day, when the poy
came 10 ask his father for something but as ne had
been dsobedif Mt 10 his mother the day previous
the Emperor refused Thin and told him 10 leave the
room lie resisted, and the Emperors efforts 10
remove him were vain, which naturally very much
displeased His Majesty, who hardly knew what 10
do The General who had been a silent looker-on,
rose. and bowling TO the refractory young Irh Zee
said authoritatfvely, what mOnseiyneur Ills
Majesty the Emperor orders you to leave the room,
and YOU refuse Prince, have TO request you
will obey at once, and retire and he opened the
door for him to pass out. The child, surprised,
looked him full in the face and seeing irmness and
determination there, demurred no longer. kissed
his father and disappeared The Emperor was so
struck with the Generals victory that he at once
conlided to him his sons education. and with the
greatest success !. -.
His first Communion was great event In his
life II seemed to make a remarkable change III
his character and gave 70 IT that religious east
which was n distinguishing .fe allure during the rest
Of his career. The Emperor wisely brought MIN 20
face difficulties at an early stage or ms lie. Vn
one occasion when he had to distribute prizes az the
Lycfe Charlemagne. a schOolbOY emeute took place
of which he was indirectly the cause: The Emperor
treated the matter lightly shrugged his shoulders
and merely remarked, 4" Louis must learn to meet
with opposition, and the sooner perhaps the
betlern The visit of the Empress and the Prince
10 Corsica in 1859 was q nOtablceyent, AMI Afforded
him the Hveliest pleasure The whole population
of The different places they visited turned out 10
welcome them aud at Ajaccio the crowd pressed
them so closely that the police had TO make u pain
for their feet The young Prince was perfectly de
lighted at the ovation. and constantly stopped 10
acknow r,ge the greetings OF the people, checking
the efforts Of the police TO keep the crowd OF by say
ing Lei Them alone, let them alone. DON'T try
TO prevent them. Remember they have a right TO
me- We all belong TO one family " TINS speech
naturally redoubled the enthusiasm of the pOpuace