The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-19

Thus at the outset we are told that the atmos-
phere of the court, and the habit which Marie
Louise had OF living Familiarity with the En-
peror, who paid her a great deal OF attention,
treated her in a simple and afrectionate way.
and often amused her with a gayety which
was often animated, caused this princess to
forget the strictness and reserve which she owed
to her natural timidity at the time OF her arrival
In France. Her bearing became easy; she had
become somewhat less stout, and her figure,
which was Of perfect symmetry. had very much
improved. Fine eyes, full OF sweetness. and a
beautifully fresh complexion gave to her face
an agreeable expression, and rendered the
general aspect OF her person both noble
and graceful. Weighed down by duties
and cares on the eve of a rupture with
Russia, the Emperor found his time taken up
with the multifarious occupations OF his Cabi-
net and with the work of his Ministers. II was
only with his wife and his son that he found re-
lief from fatigue. Much of the little leisure
which his affairs left him in the daytime was
spent with his son, whose tottering steps It
pleased him to guide with IA womanly care. The
frequent falls of the cherished child were
greeted with caresses and loud shouts of laughter
by his father. The Empress. who used to be
present at these family scenes, did not take SO
active a part In them as the Emperor. Meneval
says that these three persons. whose simplicity
AAAeA - ~ sNN nv w eANA "a
fered the spectacle OF a middle-cla3s family. at
tached to each other by the fondest affection. In
other words Napoleon's secretary ,who,tf we could
credit him with equal intelligence, would be
deemed a better authority than Tame, contends
that the great MAJ whom so many prejudiced
or mistaken minds have represented as being
inaccessible TO any tender sentiment was both a
good husband and an excellent father. Ii Is GER
tain. he says, that the Empress never found IN
IL .-.o. - -. ll-n M ~
lowing anecdote which Marie Louise. as we are
told, would often call to mind, proves the good
nature Of Napoleon In this respect. The remem-
brance OF a taste which she had acquired In the
homely sort OF life she had led when quitea girl,
inspired one day the Empress with a desire to
make an omelette hers III. and she had all the
necessary Implements and ingredients brought
to her apartments. While she was completely
taken up with her culinary operations the
Emperor CHANGED to enter. Somewhat upset by
the unexpected visit, Marie Louise endeavored
TO prevent Napoleon from seeing what sho was
preparing. What is going on here ~ asked tine
Emperor. There Is a singular smell. as IL
something was being fried" Then. stepping
behind the Empress, he discovered a spirit lamp.
a silver frying pan, in which the butter was
beginning to melt, a salad bowl. and eggs.
WHAT" cried Napoleon, $50 you are making
an omelette! BAH You don't know how to do
II at all. | will show you how II is TO be DONE" He
then set 10 work, the Empress acting as his as
sistant; but, according TO M6neyal, he was try
ing TO teach q subordinate who knew more
about It than he did, and whose education
had been obtained in a school OF experts.
The Empress's parents were passionstely
fond OF rustic occupations. loving 10
withdraw into some rural homo, and there,
disguised as farmers. to attend TO household
duties with their children. The omelette having
been finished somehow or other, there remained
the important task OF tossing II. Napoleon
wanted to do this himself; but he had thought
himself cleverer than he was. Just as he was
trying TO toss the omelette, there happened to
what hefell the great Condo, who, according
TO GOurville, wished to make an Omelette at an
inn where he had stopped, and pitched It into
the fire when trying to turn it. Napoleon did
not succeed any better, and let the omelette fall
on the ground. Obliged TO confess his want OF
experience, he left the Empress to go on with
her cooking alone.