Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-21


storm. Napoleon knows in his heart OF
hearts that the empire IS not at peace;
About the departments of the army and
navy there Is unusual activity. Yet the dav
is one of JOY, and laughter and merrlment
go hand in hand. There is music in the
very air.
Notwithstanding the hurrying to and
fro of soldiers and officers. the day speeds
on in sunshine and brightness and the
shadows of night begin to fail.
Before that, however, the Emperor and
Empress. and the Prince on whom the
hopes and ambitions of fond father and
an ambitious mother are centered, pass
through the crowded streets in the impe-
rial equippage over the grand avenue Of
the Champs Eiysees, through the arc
adorned by the genius of Rude and Cortel,
with mem orable scenes of greater Ma
poleon, on tow"-ds the famous BOies de
Boulogne. covering an area OF over l,9OO
acres, aud where a display of equipages
second to none IN the world are to be
met.
LONG LIVE THE EsIPERoBl
The sound of thousands OF voices fills
the air, shouting "Long live the En-
peror |" and so the day passes on and night
slowly draws its mantle over the gay capl-
tai. but not TO still its merriment or blight
its iov. Every house becomes illuminated,
the windows even of the humblest artisan
are lighted up, the streets along the banks
of the Seine present picture OF fairyland.
The rlver itself even, with Its water pyro-
technics, becomes blaze OF glory, the gar.
deus and public places seem like pictures
of happiness, music fills the air, thousands
of feet trip TO the dancing music OF Ohen-
bach aud other fayorite composers, the
great avenues and squares and bridges that
span the flowing river are made bright
with the reflection of the thousands OF the
yari.oolored lamps.
Amid the scene Of happiness and bright
ness tee last fete of the Emperor drew to a
close. While all this was in progress the
grim spectre of war was preparing TO cast
its nail over France The days of the en-
pire were drawing to close, but as yet
tbe storm had not broken. Finally the
fatal word was spoken and the war be-
tween France and Prussia was declared.
Then there was the hurrying to and tro OF
soldiers and the legions OF France were
pushed to the front.
FooI-HARDY INDIFFERENCE.
So confident was Napoleon in the ability
NJ the armies of the empire to cope with
those of the Prussiaus that he regarded
the campaign with almost fool-hardy IN
difference The Emperor even sent his
son, the young Prince Imperial, to the
the voune Prince did receive 1t and
then fell back with O disheartened
and almost demoralized army. 1t was
at Staarbruch IL occurred. 1t was an
in omen. The main army OF the
Germans had by this time crossed the
river Rhine, and in every pitched battle
the army of the empire created by Napo-
leon melted before 1t. On the victorious
Germans pressed, sweeping all before
them; on. onward, mp to the very walls OF
Paris itself they pressed and there made
their stand to capture by force the impe-
rial CITY which Napoleon had endangered
bv hls ambition. 1t was thought that this
MAGNIFICENT capital was impregnable.
And so il was TO an approaching army.
| Its environments of forts and fortreeses
were its protection from the invaders, so
| the Germans camped outSide IS wsiis and
| they allowed nothing 70 enter the city:
| Time and time again the gallant soidlers OF
| France tried to break the terrible environ
msnt which held as in vice the fair city
and ali il contained, but III vain. Its fate
was sealed. The empire was doomed;
| Starvation stalked through the streets and
over the Boueyards and crept into houses
| nj The poor and sowed the seeds OF dis
content among the populace. Falling
shells and firing. meteors at night
| disturbed the unfortunate inhabitants
1 and added HOITOf w hOlA1A sAN
Stnation. TIE bombardment day by DAY
becaIne moro aud more intense.
TIE GRASP OF THE GERMANS
The grasp Of the Germans became tight
a, and tighter about the doomed capital.
Slowly but surely the circle OF armed men
nv which Paris was surrounded was limit
me i its its area slowly and surely tho supply
NJ provisions asaong thu beleaguered was
ebiine away like falling tide. Women
a. - children prowled about the streets
c,v,ng for bread and breathing curses on
the Emperor. for whom only short time
before the, had rrng out huzsas, and stu
the soldiers Of that Emperor fought man.
fully and brsvely for France and the honor
/ Of France. "a c.a.u
and the surrender of the Emperor. capitu.
iation Of Baxaine at Metz and the giving N
of nearly 100000 mon, tho very flower o.
| the French army.
The announcement OF other victories
followed. and broken hearted and de
;erted. used up by famine and disease
rrinpled in every way, Paris yielded *
Prussis and France was humbled TO the
| dust. "a ,o7,