New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-20
NAPOLEON.
The Ne5c WaCe of Interest IN HIM
That Is Passing OUer Paris.

Paris February .
Il is curious 10 note that during the last ten
DAYS the leading newspapers of Paris have de-
voted more space 10 Napoleon than TO the crisis
between Russia and Japan. lie is the dominat-
ing topic OF the hour in the public press, at the
clubs and cafes and at all mundane gatherings.
The three most recent historians Of the En-
peror-Lord Roscbery. Henry Houssaye and
Frederic Nasson-are analysed and criticised
with extraordinary interest and passion All
this has sprung from variety Of causes. There
was. for example. the death Of Princess Mathllde
to revive public interest in the Napoleonic traoi-
ton may also mention the arrival in PARIS
Of Prince Louis Napoleon. now a major general
in the Russian Army; the serious illness OF the
Comtesse 'Tascher de la Pagerie. the last living
relative Of Josephine: the efforts made by Ma
tionalists and Imperialists, under the lead OF
the exiled Paul Deroulede and the Marquis oe
Dion 70 revert to the Napoleonic system OF
direct universal suffrage. or the plebiscite, Tor
the election OF the Chief of State: the appear
ance Of Nfasson's Napoleon et Son Fils,' ana
his brilliant reception at the French ACADEMY
and the serial publication of the Memories Ol
Nile. Georges the actress who occupied
warm corner in the heart Of the First Consul.
The incidents Of VI. Massons reception, and
especiarlv the sarcastic remarks made on the
occasion by VI. Brunetiere, are already iahiAdi'
but it is not, perhaps. generally known that 'he
indefatigable historian OF Napoleon Is Mayor
Of the little Partisan suburb Of Asnieres' ana
that Il was from his electors that he received
the sword which he wore when he took his place
among the Immortals Of the Academy IL Is
magnificent weapon On the hilt a globe sup
ports a Napoleonic eagle, amid Imperial oees
and yiolets OF gold and amethyst
emil
nartes was fostered by his friendship with
princess Clotilde and the late Princess Mathilde.
&c a male gray haired man. with white mus
tache. He seemed to vince when his irreverent
colleague referred TO his hero as parvenu HIS
sixteen volumes about Napoleon are the fruit
Of devoted absorption In family documents and
letters. including the most minute souvenirs II
Theirs IS to be regarded IS the Horace Nernet
OF Napoleon. Mason may be considered MS
Teniers OF Meissonier. His meticulous enumera-
tion of the contents OF Napoleon's wardrobes
and bureau drawers may irritate NJ. Brunetiere
but It pleases his feminine readers. His intense
admiration for the Emperor is genuine. and Is
carried so far as TO develop the authors per
sonal antipathy TO writer's who have detracted
from Napoleon. such as the two Remusats. hus-
band and wife, Lanfrey and TaiEe In Ma
rolkon q les Femmes" Mason revealed an
astounding
great man in his dressing gown and slippers.
In his latest work. Napoleon ct Son Fils.' he
presents a Iifelike sketch OF Napoleon as a
father The book published by Onendorff, gives
all obtaina bic data concerning the King OF Rome.
A long chapter is devoted to the grand prepa-
rations made for the birth OF the son OF Ma
poleon and Of Marie Louise. on the announce
rnent that the Empress's illness was impending
she received a gift from the Emperor OF su-
Derb portrait Of himself by Isabey, mounted as
a medallion. and surrounded by a frame orna-
mented by brilliants that cost 40.2l9 francs The
he'd for the acccuch ement was q marvellous
work Of ebenisterIe, AID the lace that decorated
it cost 10000 francs a rosy faced nurse
Marie Nictorine Goze, was selected for the &C
CASTOR. and given a superb trousseau. The
apartments in the Tuncries were restored at
great expense When Napoleon learned that the
Empress had given birth 20 son he presented
her with a pearl necklace for which he paid
10000 francs Large sums were distributed TO
needy mothers in Paris and the Emperor ar
ranged all the details with his customary thor
oughness. At the baptism the Austrian Ambas-
sailor was treated almost as a member OF the
imperial family and Napoleon gave him a SUI
perb Sevres table service. Nine. de Monies
quiou. forty-sx years Of age. and belonging to
the oldest nobility OF France was selected as
the governess for the King OF Rome. Marie
Louise. VINO AT the time OF her sons birth was
twenty-four years OF age. was greatly amused
by the jealous rivalry between Nine. de Monies
quiou, the governess. and Nine. de Montebello
a somewhat vulgar woman OF Napoleonic no.
bfity who acted as her dame d'honneur
Napoleon WIS most tender father. His de-
yotion to his son was twofold. He loved the
King Of Rome his and his dynasty"
pap prepared for the two-rnonths-old infant.
When the smallpox epidemic broke out I'm Paris
the Emperor. as an example to the nation. had
his son vaccinated-an operation that I'm those
days aroused the prejudices Of the old school.
SIX physicians were present at the vaccination
which was performed by DR.. Husson. who re-
ceiyed fee Of 5000 francs and the title OF
'Medecin Naccinateur des Enfants de France ."
The vaccination, which was performed on both
arms, took" and the little king was forced
10 drink a purgative composed OF syrup cf
chicory and peach blossoms. At eight months
OF age the King Of Rome began to walk The
Emperor gave his little son beautifully carved
wooden cart 10 which was harnessed a pair of
white merino sheep. led by a page. In this
quaint equipsge the King was drawn about on
the terrace near the Seine. and this won for the
child great popularity with the Parisians. who
Gsed TO gather IN crowds to sec these MONDAY
promcrades. BY and BY came the Russian cam
paign. Then the exile at Elba. When a pris-
oner a: Elba Napoleon exclaimed: MY son was
taken away from ne very much as in olden
days the children Of the vanquished were taken
20 ornament the cars Of the conqUerorsr' Look
ing at some engravinGs brought him by General
Bertrand's brother. Napoleon criticised the
works with surprising technical knowledge.
When he saw the portrait OF his wife he turned
red and said, Marie Louise: but Il is not a
faithful resemblance" The next engraving was