The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-13
IRE EnEPRkSS EUGENIE
Asr RightNal flaes sn History Described ~
a Enth usiostao ErienA

Ms- RisAtfsl rl.ss n History Described 81
| a Eathusisstae Friend.
An anonymous writer In Figaro has created
sensation In Paris by the publication of doc
uments which throw new light on the con-
duct and character Of Empress Eugene. His
story reads like novel In the bold introduc.
ton the writer says:
| 1T IL not defence that am undertaking;
the Empress would forgive no friend for that
Il Is not q biography. for whole book would
hardly sufice to tell the story Of life so full
| Of bewildering contrasts. wish simply by
facts to destroy an Ubiquitous legend which
tends to distort our history, and rests
solely upon falsehood and dishonesty. During
tho past few years there has been
published almost everywhere series OF
books. pamphlets. and articles calculated
| to mislead the public opinion. People have
discussed even the most trivial acts Of q
sovereign whose misfortunes should be bar
rier against injustice. They have scrutinized
her life. her projects. her thoughts. and even
her inconsolable griefs. And they have In
vented and linked with her name vulgar fables
which have been adopted alike BY persons
who have involuntarily forgotten the past and
By those who have never known anything OF
It It Is for the friends Of old. to
whom she was 50 kind and generous
in happier days. to protest against this
overflow Of insults. I therefore ask Of the
Figaro the permission to raise my feeble voice
to establish some impartial truths. The En-
press herself may perhaps be inclined to
blame me for reviving the past that Is buried
for her and dear ones gone forever: but am
certain to have with me all those who remem-
Der her. including the thousands Of mothers
whose children in the days OF splendor were
fha podcnna ~ ha loIv Vvhn We q
once beloved and applauded by all France.
II will not recall the different visits to Paris
Of tho Countess de TGba with her mother. the
Countess de Montiio. but must refer to a de-
tail imperfectly understood and ofton exploit
ed against her Certainly the Countess de
Teba was highly fattered. honored. and happy
his destiny: but surerstitlols and timid. she
was frightsned at the very excess Of her good
Re Of suddsn ana
the. loss Of that independence which up
to that =. moment. was assured TO her BY
soasht Ssa the s'f Gnpee oq
his resolution. As he declared to the Corps
LIE hegslasit when he announced bis MAJ, marriage.
IN e
in the days Of danger BY the nobleness OF
sihss III Epssas ven the SI SYMPATHY and the
ohy o. ns %eee
ccognito to the, .slums Of Paris where more
than 500 families received assistance from
down to the aa%Ss le'Ti5ie The phrase this
been ropeatediy and Widely ' Published every s
EJGhnS could be more false Ths
q conflagration; but since 1856 the opposition
represented France as humliated BY Prussia
opiniSn was in favor Of France taking s up St the
gauntlet The cry was for war. and it was
nrsss with e n s that
bility for their attitude in order TO throw the
ah' shades paesSea n @ Z.
fa sRiFs s as tn fss~ss In the dSsESs
Taa ss midst j. v1 Has M Sa
capital was such that when the Emperor de-
ftded to 20 With his he ayodsd passi3g
Rot6am. admits that Il the Empress was vic:
sSe xHExs h s4ea %
ssld The d The state eesaaa
formula that would permit US to avoid this
4uo ,C1ulprebo Eopho0' 1nbt ID pr0cl6ely my
But what was the attitude Of the Empress
Regent when the news came OF our arst dsas-
ter? man known for his attachment to other
princes. Gen. Chabaud: Latour, gives this tes-
ttmony: On the night OF the 7th to the 9th Of
August We had just heard OF Forbach and
Reischotfen. Xas called to the Empress with
the Ministers. Nothing could be more noble
ssR 4 tnss sS%t
e. r shs ss.ssS q fGt sSs 1. y %s;s
ness. character. and courage. sentiments far
more French than tmperialistic. wish to do
her this justice When u was proposed to re-
Sedan. the Empress was told that the $4,000
we're to leave the a Capital might be- sne
e by fsDy va. 3:
Al not 70 think Of me- Think O. the army;
the question, Don't lose q moment Let Gen.
Vinoy leave this very dayp''"'
The rest OF the story 10 like some romance,
With Eugene as. its unfortunate heroine. Il
portrays q singularly beautiful character, and
every assertion appears to be we'll fortified.
EuRenie's last days at the Tuileries are de-
scrlbed with dramatic power. and all her
grlefs are referred to with touching effect