Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-15
NofIccs of New Books.

/ bv Charles +. Roche. Vol II. lSl2lSt.
| New York: Charles Scribners Sohs'
/ a. pages. Price, so.
The announcement Of this work by the
Publishers was greeted 10y the literary
critics rather coldly. Indeed. the infer
cncc from their comments was that there
was no provocation for the publication
exccpt the fact that this Is an era OF
Nepolconic revival Such Of the pubic
however. as received impressions In al
vance from the critics have been agree
ably disappointed. Pasquiers memoirs are
a most valuable and interesting contr'-
button 10 the stirring drama Of his time
Napoleon g.. Of course. the central figure
IN that drama, but Pasquier was not one
Of his blind wOrshlppcrs. and does NOT
make him oyersha1ow and obscure all
other actors. The opening Of the volume
before US finds Napoleon engaged In MS
/ Moscow campaign, and Pasquier INDUCES
/ in free criticism OF the conduct OF lhe
battle OF Moskowa and Of the Emperor $
illusions" just here 1t should De sad
however. that he does not weary us with
details ~ military movements lie treats
more Of Napoleon. the man, than Of Napo-
leon the solder. AMI his opinion OF the
former may be very well judged from
this observation:
Ambition WIS ever the governing
power over sentiment and affection with
all the members OF that strange Bona
partc family"
As Project Of Police il was Pdsquiers
business to probe the secrets Of Ma
poleon's enemies, and by virtue OF that
office n. Possessed exceptional advantages
for asc.rtaiuing the views Of Napoleon $
satellites In respect Of both classes ne
makes some curious revelations. one or
the most interesting chapters In the
volume is that giving the incidents of the
Malrt conspiracy. Pasquier was charged
by Napoleon with neglect of duty in con-
nection with this matter but Investigation
y,ndicated MIN.
Tallcyrand. always an attractive study
becomes more attractive from Iaslulcr' =
point Of view. as DO many OF his other
contemporaries, yet it is not always the
case that these contemporaries are raised
in our estimation. Pasquicr was u char
act.r-rcaI,r. Or nothing. and the icono-
elastic spirit that p,rNadcs his mcmoiri
is none the less effective because II j.
not ruthless.
4 large part Of the volume is devoted TO
the abiication and the ntrisu,s and
events that lei 10 it, and while We do
not clean any new salient historical facts.
old impressions are freshou-d b. lights
that have not been east upon them before.
Ia dealing with the scenes Immediately
associated with tine negotiations Tor the
abdicatIon. Pdsquicr is often pathetic anu
iuNouutaIIly. creates sympathy Tor Ma
poIeou. lie Is satisfied that on, bold ana
thoIousnly loyal leader could almost AT
tnr last moment have changed the cur
rent Of history. After describing the de-
monstIation which followed the reading
OF MulmOnt's proclamation at Versailles.
ne says.
1T is certain that if In the moment
when the excitement was at its highest,
Il daring leader. one devoted To the En-
pcror. had been DESTROYS OF taking the
command, tn whole OF the soldiers ana
nearly al of the officers II inferior RANK,
would once more have taken with him.
at whatever risk and peril the road 10
FOntauebleau. even II they mad been
colnp.ued t. fight h ir way through
sword in hand Such leader did not
come, forward. and thus ended "a crisis
which might have hal serious conse-
QGcnc So
OF the effect Of Marmonts course upon
the Emperor. Pasiuier says:
"Df an the blows struck Napoleon At
that period none was more kcenly fit
than IL. detection Of Marshal Marmont.
When the news Of it reached him az day
break. il was "a long time before b"
could bring himself TO credit IL; when 10
longer any room for doubt was left. he
gay. vent 10 his grief IN touching and
bitter terms
Referring 10 Napolron's attempt at
solf-4estruction, Pa-quier draws this con-
Clusou.
prone as he was 10 believe I'm fatal
ism il is probable that the failure Of this
att.mut presented itself o. his mind a.
"a sign int his great destiny hal not
run IT'S course, and that II was his duty
10 reserve himself for what awaited him"
The d,parturo Of NAPOLEON for Elha.
the entry % Louis NNIIG into Paris.
aud the evacuation of Paris by the allied
troops bring Volume ~ u a close. bat
NO are prepared for what is 20 come I'm
Volume III Glow far says Pasquier
In describing the departure Of the Rus
sian AMI Prussian soldiers. "was then
from mv mind the idea that 7 was short
" arain To- Sc" the Formidable phalanNcs
whose presence had so cruelty been f.lt
~ MS"
For sal, 10y J. w. Randolph & Co.
TIE TARIFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE
CUSTOMS ACTS or 1880. and the House
Bill tVA Wilson bid. as rerortcl to
the S,uate from the Finance Commit
t.e March -, 1884 ln1cNei. Prepared
under tn direction of the Committee
on FINANCE April .. l>'i
This is volume Of DO pages. We sup
poer that members ~ Congress have CO
pies of il for distribution.