Year: 1870

Tho Empress Eugcnie, Bourbnki and Ba-


znine.


Public attention has been attracted to the
mysterious mission Of G. neral Bourbaki to the
Empress of France, and several stories have
been circulated concerning it's real object.
From the various rumors and reports there
still seems to be some uncertainty about the
manner in which be managed to secure the
interview, as well as the purpose 1t was In
tended to accomplish. Some reports stated
that be escaped from Metz and others that he
was permitted to pass out and to proceed on
his mission by the Prussians. Still other
reports inform us that he has had interviews
with both the Emperor and the Empress. The
latest and apparently most accurate explana-
tion of the matter is that at the urgent soicita-
tion of Eugene, who was allowed to send
a messenger to Metz, Bazane despatched
Bourbaki. by permission Of the Prussians, to
confer with her as Regent Of France touch
ing the restoration of the Napoleonic
dynasty after the re-establishment of peace
It is said that when he arrived at Chiselhurst
she told him that she wished him to take
charge of the Prince Imperial and conduct him
to Metz, where he should remain until the time
came for completing arrangements for peace on
the basis of the cession of Asace and Lor-
raine, the abdication of the Emperor and the
succession of the Prince as Napoleon the
Fourth, with herself as Regent. 1t is added
that Bourbaki refused to do So and informed
her that no French army would tolerate the
| presence Of the son Of the captive Emperor
| AS the finale of this curious and touching
scene we are told that the Empress burst into
| tears, Bourbaki returned to Metz, and Bazaine,
who was highly indignant at her proposal, sent
a report of the story to the republican govern
ment at Tours.


Whatever the exact object of the mission
may have been il is most probable that it had
some reference to the perpetuation of the
Napoleonic dynasty. 1t is only natural that
Eugene, at her retreat in England, contem-
plating with touching sadness the misfortunes
that have fallen on her house, having nc
adequate idea Of the temper Of the people and
the real situation of affairs in France, but i'm
PEELED by ambition and !ha nataral feelings g
| mother, l,, should employ every means within
her influence to secure to the Prince lmperla
the crown which his father lost. The number
of conards that have been c.rculated lately
with reference to the ultimate succ~
the Prince shows that imperialistic intrigue;
have been pointing to that end. The scheme
is eminenty Napoleonic, and it is very likely
that the Emperor himself, whose creates
solicitude during the last few years of his reigr
was for the preservation of his dynasty after
his death, has been, tho most active in thi.
matter. But it is folly for any one to imagine
that the fallen dynasty can now, If indeed i
ever can, be restored to France. It was
Napoleon who led the nation into the humiliat
ing position in which it stands to-day, and al
indignant people would not give the reins o
power to one who is the representative o
tue ruler who brought them to the presen
pass. No. The French will try republic
and in the experiment we wish them al
success.