National Republican., 1881-12-17
HENRI ROCHEFORT.
SKETCH OF THE GREAT COMMUNIST.
Incidents Of Summers Trip to Europe-Graphic
Descriptions by an ObserVant American
Glrl-She Refuses an Introduce
tion TO Henri Rochcfort.

uhothcI, 70 hpeak ones nina freely. WnW Wltn
Nihilsm, Socialism, Communism and secret revo-
lulionary meetings, spies are innumerable and on
the outlook to gain not only converts to their cause
but to punish those who dare in the face Of tho
world, cry ont against their llegitimate proceed
ings. In May last, coming from London we en-
barkcd on the twin ship, the Calais Douvres,
across the channel, nasty bit of water as one
can find in either hemisphere. People were gath
cred about in groups talking and chatting, and our
party, being comfortably fixed aft, we likewise set
in an earnest conversation. The evening before
the London police had seen ft to interrupt
VERY DECIDED NiHILeT MEETING
that took place In Leicester Square. Ofcourse tho
latest sensation always receives the latest atten
ton, and observations made on the affair were
various i'm the extreme presume talk a great
deal in fact know do, and fate must have
started US on that subject, 1eNpressed my views
what was passing around me. TO my surprise,
very distinguished gentleman walked toward me,
madam :" then, hurriedly in French. added in
low tone; For heavens sake stop your convera-
ton short; from the time. you got on the boat
until the present you have been watched.
followed and overheard, every word you have
said, by that clerical-looking young man TO
the left. He has smooth face, wears glasses, and
Is apparently studying his guide-book with great
diligence" was so startled that only until look
ing second time did recognize in my inform;
ant Mr.. b, the, well.known Swedish consul
at -. silently thanking him by hand
pressure, turned TO our party aud said lightly
rs IL nothing had happened, "But you must not
expect an important opinion from me, for | am an
American, and In our great Republic things go on
to perfection" Mr. B gave me II reassurDg smile.
aud we spoke of suppose the weather or Mont
reached Dover and the train sped on to Paris.
s9mewgy ! ielt uncomfortable aud the presence
OF our clerical fIiend in our compartment In the
car added naugnt to my comfort,
At LAST WE REACHED PARIS.
The train was so delayed that my coachman,
lnlnklng was not coming, had returned home,
aud ] was Obliged to take an ordinary fdcre.
Imagine my horror on detecting In the very next
carriage and evidently following me- my alleged
spy of the boat Now am ns much at home in
Paris as am in my pocket" to use n French
deliberately ignoring the close proximity OF my
follower We started of, aud leaning back in the
carriage cushions soon forgot TO note where We
were going Thinking the way longI looked up and
failed to recognize old landmarks. Hastily pulling
the checkrein, l said: Driver, you're going
wrong,' and was answered with q significant
smile " That's all right, Madame" he said;"
know whore I'm taking you to-" Mentally ours.
ing, his obInscness, aud suspecting no wrong,
said, Get along aS quickly as you can" when,
drawing up tho little curtain In the back dis
covered carriage in close pursuit. In a moment
my former apprchensons returned TO me; my i'm
prudent aud thoughtless conversation certainly
had placed me
IN AN ALMOST CRITICAL POSITION.
was nearing the Buttes de Chaumont, one of
the worst quarters of Paris. Where was he taking
mc2 | felt that something must be done
raped irantically on the window, and the driver
good. d.naturedly stopped. stepped out of the
carriage, and feeling myself solidly posed on the
pavement turned to my conductor, opening my
purse as did SO, and handing him five franc
piece, J. said, with my sweetest smile, ITS all
right; IllWalk the rest of the way, Gu tout cas- je
s,is rogs:" An enlightened look passed over his
lace and he said soluy TO himself II thought il;
she ls one OF u.s. My cOaChman was drunk and
a Nihilist l turned and sped down the street
and seizng the first policeman l met, breath
lessly begged his protection, and dragged him with
me until we found another Hdcrc to take me home.
Heaven be praised, reached II in safety
In summer time everybody in Paris lives out of
doors and the people dine en- mdsse from the first
cUe ~ the Champs Elysees to the Chateau fdrme-
n0HrWe In the Bois de BOulogne. Opposite the
famous Cae Claimant Dcs AnlJdssddeUrs is the first
outd0oT restaurant % rant Of the Champs Elysees, ex
wended our way and selected near the terrace u
comfortable and convenient table.
SMILING FRod.EATER APPEARED
with the menu, a bottle filled with manufactured
pid butter, and brisk loaf of French bread. De-
posting the whole on the table, he distributed
some hall-d dry napkins of doubtful linen took our
order, and disappeared. Naturally, we busted
ourselves in looking around at the other tables
My attention was attracted TO ole on our right
conpa9nn dc roydOe. the alleged spy. His fanltess
evening dress did not in the least conceal to my
wakeiul eyes his undoubted personality. He was
evidently well acquainted, and bowed Familiarity
to some people on our immediate left. To my utter
amaIement, Mr.. NJ, Of our party, also Oaiuted,w
stand Il no longer. Ignoring my spy, ! said
brusquely: "Who are those people to our leftY'
"Thatr said Mr. NJ. complacently Z" is the ceiebra-
ted Henri Rochefort The young lady Is his eldest
daughter and their rs.d-Uis is Boldini. the we'll
known Italian painter, whose portrait of the Coun
day. Henri RoShefortI i shfieked. why that is
the famous communist! And he looks like it,"
"sh-," said Mr.. NJ, he Is looking this way, and
really believe he wants B. to present him."
THANK you,' said hurIiedly. 81 have lived so
far to my knowledge, without associating with law
breakers, communists, socialists or nihilists and
/ HiSnnnsp w NJ
presentation of even Rochefort." While speak
Ing was closely scanning the apostate nobleman.
HENRI DE RoCHEFoRT
Is the lineal descendant of the great de Roche
forts whose war.iiIe deeds and untarnished es.
cutcheon has for previous centuries blazoned in
the heraldry of France, and for all he may wish
his own right, and looks the gentleman. In per-
son he Is tall, slender and elegantly built while
his head is q chronological study: II is large,
observer as being more than ordinarily stocked
with brains He Is quite bald, and q shock of
wiry, gray hair stands out on either side OF his
temples each hair seems charged with cleo
triciy and waves of In individual insanity
communicating every other hair around It, His
moustache Is gray, heavy, and carelessly waxed.
His imperial covers square positive chin and n
delicate hollow, where the guillotine came near
leaving It's mark His features are sharp, yet ex-
tremely aristocrauc; his mouth is peculiar; the
lips are thin and have the expression of either
very false man or a fanatic; his nose Is slightly
aqniline, his forehead broad and majestic; his
eyebrows are heavy: his eyes are Il clear stccly
blue, with white lids and dropping lashes; his
face is not PALE Il has the hue off gray marble, and
you never saw him without q SMILE
NO MONARCH IN EUROPE
is so sure of his head rs Henri de Rochefort.
Thrones may tottcr aad fill, but nothing can un.
dermine his position. Should any harm threaten,
defense and for his safety; y is almost impossible
to estimate his power BY the Nihilists lie is re:
speeIed by the Socialists looked up to, and by all
Al the famous Geneva convention he had a
chance to show the civilized world the hold he
has upon this class ofpspple, and well may rulers
him. Never had better chance ~ study him
than upon this particular occasion. His striking
head was thrown back and his every attitude was
one ofunstudied grace. Rocheiort was so courteous
To his little daughter that
No PRINCESS COULD HAVE BEEN TREATED BETTER.
modest, pretty girl, with bright face. soft fca-
lures and high bred genlility that IN itself
would proclaim her rank and station. Rocheiort
Is n most active man, yet withal an idler. He
passes his nights at the Press and various clubs
In Paris and in the daytime finds time to lounge
great, though questionable wit, and his Journal
"Le LdnterNt,' is not badly conducted French pa
per Certain II Is II stretches It's yenOmous branches
broadcast over European soil, and they take root
where iairer tendrIls would perish. The follow
ing appeared written by NJ. dc RocheforD the day
amer the announcement of Emile de Girardns
demise. We translate as well rs possible. as the
| French Is peculiar: AT last the demngoguc Cir
worlds exchange. May his ilogitnate ashes
mingle with the soil he has helped 10 desecrate
and thus we say adeu 10 one who has not ceased
TO be, as he never existed but for himself"
WHILE OUR DINNER WAS PROGRESSING
| Mr.. NJ, of our party, was obliged 10 recognz,
| the artist and his companion To my amnZcmen
the latter, Alter a second glance, decided on com
ing N our table ~ salute him, aud Mr. Nj said
"I must present Mr, de RocheiorttO you" " What
said l. drawing up stifiy, "do you think care /,
know him? Pray, excuse me-" The situation wa
| growing emba rrilSs Ing, as MademOiSele also wa
preparing 10 come to me, so iegned indisposition
| and hastily arose. Mr. NJ looked almost an
noyed, and certainly nonplussed. / ex
plalned; "I have no tile. If had, anc