Year: 1869

lie Writes a CURIOUS bettsrmILiss s , Own story a.


The following is translation of hitherto un-
published letter written by Louis Napoleon just
after his escape from the fortress of Ham, to
the editor of newspaper to which he had con-
tributed during his imprisonment. In certain
poverty and awkwardness of diction it is faithful
to the original, which was evidently not intended
for publication


NV Dear Mr.. Degeorge THE desire OF once more
seeing my father in this life has made me attempt
the boldest undertaking that have ever attempted,
and for which needed more 1rmness and courage
than at Strasbourg and Boulogne, for was resolved
not to endure the rdicule than astens on those who
are arrested under a disguise, and failure would
have been no longer endurable But TO come to the
particulars of my escape.


You know the ford was guarded by four hundred
men, who furnished daily guard OF sixty soldiers,
who were on duty within and without the fort; fur
thermore the door OF the prison was guarded by
three ailOfs, two of whom were always on duty. 1t
was necessary therefore, in the first place. to pass
before them, then to traverse all the inner court
pcloIe uie mluuoms vi tlc 1ouinanuaio, III ~ nd'thg
reached there 1t was pecessary 10 pass through the
gate where were an orderly and q sergeant gate
Keeper sentinel and, finally, post of thirty men.


Not having been willing to establish any comma
nicauon with corruptibe iailOr or SOY, disguise
was, of course, necessary. Now several rooms of
the building Inhabited were undergoing repairs t
was easy to take the costume OF q workman. My
good and faithful Charles Trlin procured a blouse
and wooden shoes cut of my moustache and took
u board on my shoulders,


Monday morning saw the workmen come in at -
O'Clock. When they were at work Charles took some





way he was also to call one keeper up stairs while
Doctor was talking with the others.


Meanwhile, was hardly ont of my room when |
was accosted by workman who followed me, taking
for OF his comrades; at the foot of the stair
| found myself front to front with keeper.
Luckily put the board before his face and reached
the court always holding the board between myself
and the sentinel and those whom met.


When passing before the first sentinel let fall my
pipe, but stopped to pick up the pieces. Then met
the officer of the guard, but he was reading letter
and did not notice me. The soldiers of the post at
the gate seemed to wonder at my dress; the drum
mer in particular turned several times to look.


Meanwhile the Orderlies opened the door, and l
found myself outside the fortress; there met two
wOrkmen, who were coming towards me, and looked
at me attentively. then turned the board on their
side, but they appeared so mqusitive that thought
could not escape them, when heard them cN-
claim -


"Oh it is Berthoud!"


once on the outside, walked rapidly towards the
Saint Quentin road.


A little later, Charles, who had engaged a carriage
for himself the preceding day, overlook me, and we


passed through the town on foot, after taking
off my blouse.


Charles had procured pOst-carriage under pre-
tense of going to the races at Cambria We reached
Valenciennes without difficulty, where | took the
railway.


where been asked for. During this time Conneau,
always 80 devoted remained in prison. and gave out
that was Ill, so as To give me time to reach the
frontier


hope he will not have been ll-treated; that would
he, as you may suppose, great grief to me.


But, my dear Mr.. Degeorge, If experienced a
lively sentiment OF joy when | found myself outside
the fortress, was very sadly impressed passing
the frontier; the certainty that the Government
dishonor myself was necessary To decide me to quit
France; finally, it was necessary that | should be
urged to this step by the desire OF trying all
to console my father in his old Adieu, my dear
Mr.. Degeorge. Although free, feel myself very un
fortunate BE assured of my warm friendship, and
if you can, try to be useful to my good Conneau.