The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-08-24

and northward toward New York city,
for any appearance either of a mau-of-
war or messenger who might convey
the tidings that he daily feared But
his greatest precautions consisted of an
elaborate series of secret underground
passages through his park, the en-
frances secured by heavy iron trap
doors inside the dwelling, and opening
In various places in dark recesses of a
distant wood and upon the river bank
The remains of these passages were
visible, few years ago, iron doorways
fallen to pieces, apertures partly filed
and in some cases the upper earth hav-
Ing caved in. Joseph built himself a
fine house for that day, the ruins of
which are still visible It was in excel
lent preservation some years ago. 1t
was of brick, covered with white
plaster, with a slanting roof, dormer
windows, heavy wooden winter
shutters and broad doorways with
wooden columns on each side. There
were grand staircases, reception-rooms,
large freplaces with sculpture work of
fine character, bed cham bers, the walls
of which were hidden by rare tapestry
and magnificent old paintings Many
of these remain. 1t was in this palace
that Joseph passed about eighteen
years of his life. Here he received a
delegation of Mexicans in 1920 to offer
him the imperial crown of Mexico,
which he declined on the ground that
his experience with two crowns-those
of Naples and Spain-had left him a
III oil hn
received visit from Lafayette in 1924,
and was induced by that greet patriot
to open negotiations to seat Napuleou's
young son, the duke of Reichstadt, on
his fathers throne. From here, when
his own safety was more assured, he
opened a voluminous correspondence
with European agents looking to this
purpose, and in 1882 he departed for
Europe TO attend the young heirs
funeral Joseph greatly resen BILE his
greater brother in appearance, and
even to the last he had vague hope
that this personal resemblance might
pave his own way to the French throne,
but Europe paid little attention to
him, and except that France inter-
dicted his entrance on her territory,
he was allowed to die peaceably a few
years later.
Joseph was great favorite with the
Bordentown people of his time. The
New Jersey Legislature passed a special
act allowing him to acquire the prop
erty referred to, and in return he
made many valuable gifts to Bor.
dentown. He gave handsome pict-
ures to small village academy
of design, and laid out the highway
which runs between the Bonaparte
place and the village. He also gave
many balls and receptions, at which
Prince Lucien Murat and the ex-king's
two daughters, Zenaide and Charlotte,
were great attractions. Lucien was
returned to the French assembly in
1s4s, at the time of the smaller Napo-
Icons entree into French politics, but
he never made any great hit He was
chiefly notable in Bordentown for his
wild tricks, his excessive girth in waist
and a smartness in horse trading that
secured the popular sympathy. He had
a separate residence, near the palace
but twas a few years ago devoted tc
tenement purposes only. The palace
was called st. Helena by the exiled
king 1t fell into the hands of Phila-
delphia broker named Beckett, after
Joseph's death.
The old gardener Mclean, who ha;
just died, was in the employ of the
king when he was boy, and must have
been eighty years old or more at the
time of his death. He had known the
king WELL and in an interview pub
lished some time ago, he is reported tC
have spoken thus of him:
up at the palace they always cad
him your Majesty and Sire, but moy
r father was full blood Scotchman (he
l was gardener for him), and he always
cad him Master Bunypart or youI
Honor Time and again l ha seen hin
, wi knee breeches and laced coots,
r looking sad-lil1e and abstractad tod the
{ sea, as if he would sar h for st
, Helena, and wi his head doom and hi
. ha ds under his coat-tails you woulC
hav' TUX him for the image o hi:
! brother. IN Y Tribune.