New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-28

that you must cut off your mustache II
he or | we're elected, that's what we
should do"
'fOhi no. no. Let us all three keep our
mustachesr' replied the prince, bursting
into a great laugh
In one way, whether intentional or
not, this StGccdtO narrative conveys an
interesting and lifelike impression OF
it's subject. 1t follows In its style and
tone the prevailing note OF the career
Of Louis Napoleon, which was
strange, disordered, specious affair.
Some observers said at the lime, and
most readers have come to feel since.
that its sorry conclusion was prefig
ured all along upon the surface Of
things Such a career was too feverish
TO be stable. The baron makes great
play around ''the prisoner IF Ham"
and is modestly thrilling over the es-
cape. 1t Is no fault Of his If, forth
with, he has to chronicle his princes
levity in London. The future Emperor
divides his time between study and
the turf" and, incidentally, his father
having conveniently left him a fortune.
he buys house in Berkeley street for
his friend, Miss Howard. That was all
very like the man of adventure, fixing
his eye upon a throne, but enjoying
himself by the way according to his
none too royal tastes. Politically, as in
other ways. he lived from hand to
mouth. The baron seems TO have
prided himself on being an open
minded man and clear-eyed into the
bargain. He writes as one having no
Illusions. Still, he processes admira-
for his master, and 1t is odd, therefore,
that his portrait Of the latter should
possess. on the whole, very little dig
nifty.
Carrying his story down TO 1870, he
has something to say. Of course, about
the war, but nothing of any conse-
quence. On events, as on personages,
he is entertaining rather than weighty.
One story Of the terrible year we may
repeat. Il was present this morning."
he says. at scene never to be for
gotten. l was on the knife board of an
omnibus. Everybody was speaking at
once. There was only one subject Of
conversation. A gentleman said: The
war! Supposing 1t was to end in q de-
feat for France?' There was but one
shout: they seized the man and threw
him from the top OF the moving omni-
bus on to the pavement. l can quite
believe II killed him" With this we
may take leave Of the baron's 'actu-
alities." But If we cannot commend
him to the reader as an historian of
the Second Empire. we gladly admit
that his miscellaneous anecdotes are
worth while. II pick up all hear" he
says, and over and over again he picks
up striking tale. From an old man
who had known Isabey, the painter, he
obtained the following anecdote of the
Revolution:
One day In winter. at the height OF the
Terror, a short time after the death OF
Marie Antoinette. as Isabey. who was still
a young man was musing In his rooms
filled with horror at those dreadful times,
two cautious knocks sounded on his door.
He was warming his fingers at the stove
before setting TO work, for 1t was early
In the morning.
Come in" said he In surprise and some
anxiety
The door opened. and woman envel-
oped In a black cloak entered. Isabey
tremb.ed.
You are Isabey. the painter" asked
the unknown lady. -t.-
"Yes- madam; what do you deslre?"