New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-29

him" At Erfurth Taleyrand, every mofhIhs At
the levee, had confidential talk with Napoieon'
and every night after the theatre explained mat
ters 10 the Car at the house Of the princess oi
Thurn and TaXis. The reader is given 10 sup
pose that Napoleon disclosed his whole purpose
at the morning talk and that in the evening
Talleyrand carefully instructed the Autocrat IN
the meaning Of every ambiguous proposition
that was likely 10 be made 10 him on the morrow
We shall see in moment that Meneval ascrioeo
to Napoleon in Spain an intimate knowledge OF
TaleyraHds plotting In Paris. We are asked 10
believe that the man who could so far when
in the Peninsula could not see what happened
almost under his feet at Erfurth. Talleyrand
is represented not only making himself useiu
TO the Car. but also as serving austria through
an envoy who came surreptitiously and In diplo-
matte disguise TO the imperial council to which
the Emperor Of Austria not invited. 1t is
permissible to believe that Napoleon was not so
easily hoodwinked as Meneva indicates. that
Talleyrand INDUCED In little boasting that was
safe enough and even profitable after the Resto-
ration but that the real mistake of the Emperor
Of the French was in exaggerating his own In
huence over the mind Of the. wonderful mystic
who happened 10 occupy the Russian throne
Talleyrand could charm with his wit and In
flame with his conjectures the mind OF Alexander
but he could never have repeated TO him from
Napoleon's lips anything more than the latter
wished to be repeated. He could say with ali
the appearance Of truth, that he hoped by arous-
ing the vigilance Of Russia and Austria to do
service TO Napoleon. who was. In his opinion. n.y.
ing dangerously high. and that he deemed TINS
a patriotic duty to France: but he could say this
Just we'll II he enlightened the Hapsburg and
the Romanoff with his own astute surmises as
II he disclosed the secret communications Of
Napoleon.
Whatever view one may take Of the affair at
ErtIrth, Napoleon's reputation for omnisclence
suffers. But in the Spanish game which Gull
minated so far as the relations OF Talleyrand
10 the Emperor were concerned. In the violent
speech referred to at the outset, he was deal
ing with a Partisan cabal and he knew just
what 10 expect. II Is significant in the light
Of the varied explanations which have been given
OF Talleyrand's influence. that Meneval omits
the very simple one respecting his mental
powers. II was he that put in n sentence the
policy OF France in Spain. While the Emperor
discussing now one plan. now another. ana
taking time 10 reflect, Talieyrand limited that
the Spanish dynasty must be changed. since the
one in power could be useful only to England
The advice was adapted to Napoleon's ambi-
ton IN behalf Of his family Nevertheless II
was not agreed to without a show OF reluctance.
and then Il was seen 10 be the only logical
course II Napoleon was TO interfere In Spain nj
ALL Nnpoleon's own confusion Of mind becomes
more evident In Menevals account OF that IA
nous letter to the Grand Duke Of Berg tMuraO
which was never received nor even sent. but has
figured In history both as a genuine letter ana as
n forgery The draft varies in min IT points fr' IN
Napolcon's style, but Meneval. whose opinion
must be taken in such case as practically IN
fallible maintains that II has most auth'h"c
character. There are details and illusions III
this letter" ne adds. which nobody hut hhsei
(Napoeon) could have known without having
been initiated to the ensemble OF his vast con-
ception and his most secret thoughts. The let
ter was a very complete memorandum q what
Murat was TO do for the conquest and pacliica-
ton OF Spain But the trouble was mat me
plan II embodied was In direct opposition 10
all the dispatches sent by the Emperor TO Mura'
both before and after the date or March ~ i'o''
which was put upon II. Mfneval supposes 'ha'
II was only one Of many plans which the h"'-
peror thought Of and cast aside mat II
ached the public Meneva holds To be the w'rK
Of rallevrand. though he puts his view Of the
matter in the form OF n question. MehnwhI"'
as things went from bad to worse In Spain the
in person. Up to the hour 81 his departure he
was In daily consultation with Tall-yrand, and
vet. II Meneval Is right. the man who was after
ward &, communicative IN Trfurth crossed the
Pyrenees without leaving a soul In Pans VINO
knew his purposes
No sooner was Napoeon's back turned than
the feeling OF doubt about the future 81 the En-
n,re began 10 show itself He was kept well IN
formed OF what was going on IN Paris ana could
easily picture TO himself those lately bitter enc
mics Talleyran nd and Fouche. now going about
arm In arm Specializing on the possibility OF h'S
death He felt sure. according to Mencval. that
anticipating the Emperor's assaS-
s,nat,on nv n fanatical monk waysi1e am
huscade had thought OF the formation OF
Government council the organization Of which
IN SO OF need was quite ready TO BE- carried INTO
execution" But the bitterest provocation was
that Talleyrand sought to shift from MS own
shoulders all responsibility for the killing OF the
Due d'Enghien Napoleons rage grew win
the constraint which he put upon 1t. but az last
In the Privy Council 1.-The dam burst, 70 use
Menevars expressive words. "the immobihty OF
the patient. the impassivensss OF MS FEATURES
provoked Nspoleon's anger TO the point mat ne
forgot his imperial dignity and threatened TAI
leyrand with his fist. The paroxysm OF MS IN
dignation, having reached its climax. fell by us
own excess. and Napoleon. tired OF dashing hlm-
self against this impassive face. gave In
n,lleyrand mad no real feeling OF dignity. ana
go he deemed 1t good thing to pretend 10 have
forgotten this scene. There was DrawinR-room
NJ Court on the morrow, which happened 10 be
a Sunday One Of the Minister'S the Duke de
Gaete- Guadin, who had been charged by the En-
peror with some work that was wanted at once
had devoted this Sunday 10 finishing II. Remem-
herring that Napoleon liked his Ministers 10 at
tend the Court regularly. he decided that nc might
sacrifice an hour in the accomplishment OF this
duty The Minister OF Finances accordingly went
10 the Tuilerics early with the intention Of plac-
ing himself near the door BY which the Emperor
would enter 80 as TO be free 20 withdraw after
having saluted him and to return to his work
The Minister arrived at the Palace before any
body else and whilst the rooms were being lighted
he wanted 10 cross the throne-room and place
make his escape as he had intended What was
his surnrise TO see Prince de Bfnevent stAnding