The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-03-08
Eugenie's Gift

Whatever opinion may be entertained
Of Bonapartism and the late Emperor,
the bitterest opponents of the dynasty
and of Napoleon III. must render hom-
age to tho generous high -mindedncss
that distinguishes his august widow. 1t
will be fresh in the memory of our read
ers that the city of Marselles, which
overnowed with liberality to Napo-
leon Ill. when he was in the zenith
of his glory, sought to recover its gift
with interest as soon as blind fortune
turned her back upon his dynasty. The
municipality of the great commercial
emporium so famous for the modesty of
its citizens presented to the late Emperor
q certain plot of ground, then valued at
100000 francs. Napoleon spent 1,000,'
600 francs moro in building palace
and laying out grounds, SO that tho
present value or the Pharo property
even assuming that the price Of land has
not increased during the past de-
cade-must be put down at nearly
100000 francs. The chivalrous NUM-
| cipality brought an action against the
Empress, after her husbands death, for
the recovery of the property; but the
Phocian burghers were nonsuited in the
courts of their own quondam imperialis-
tic and now radically republican city.
They then carried the case on appeal to
the higher tribunal at AK, but we're
again defeated there. The Empress has
thus triumphed, but, as though to give
lesson to certain Princes of
having established her right by the laws
of the country which is still Eers, though
she is in exile, abandons her claim in
favor of the city which has used her so
ILL, and gives up voluntarily what she
refused to yield to threats. 1t is be-
lieved that the exiled Empress is by no
means so rich as are the Orleans Princes,
who accepted the restitution of their
contiscated property before even the
war indemnity to Germany was paid
Her generosity is all the more to her
credit, and Englishmen will read with
interest the simple and dignifed words
in which she signifies to an old political
friend tho determination to which she
, has come:
FARNBokoUGH HILL, Hants, Dec. Is, 1882 -
MY DEAR NJ. BOUHER: l have just received
the letter in which you inform mo that the
AK Court OF Appeal has confirmed tho judg.
mcnt given by the Marseilles court in the
action brought against mo by tho Town
rights before the law courts l was specially
animated by respect for the French magis
tracy, LOT TO nave DcneYed that my cause was
| lost beforehand would have been tantnmoun
| to an admission that passion or personal in
tercst could influence tho course o
Justice in our country. Now, however
| that these rights have been recognized
| do not wish TO retain the ground which tn,
| city of Marscillcs once gave of it's own frot
| will to the Emperor, and the possession O
| which 1t now disputes. Therefore you nre t
| take the necessary steps for the presentation
| to the town In my name OF the park nnt
| chateau of the Pharo, tho latter of whicl
| the Emperor built at his own expense. II
| acting thus think that am behaving n!
! those who are now no moro would hav,
| wished, and trust that you, who were thei
| devoted friend, will approve of my decision
| l can not conclude this letter without asking
| you to thank on my behalf the distinguished
| lawyer who, although separated from us by
| his political opinions. has, consulting onTS
| equity and law, defended my interests witt
| tho utmost talent. | romain, etc,
EUGENE.
| London NeUS