Year: 1870

where he found himself In the pre-
sence Of Napoleon. The Secretary had re-
tired, leaving them alone-the Emperor and
the representative OF the HERALD. Napo-
Icons greeting was cordial and graceful-'I
am glad to see you, sir, as always am when


/ meet citizens of your great and prosperous
country" Both were at their ease at once,


and the interview was highly interesting


The personal appearance of Napoleon, dressed
as private citizen, was different from what
might have been expected from the stories
| which have been so often circulated about
his failing health and general dapidation.
He looked hale and hearty, and though his
hair was tinged with gray his eyes were bright
with intelligence and humor, and he seemed
twenty years younger than he really is In
the small apartment there was a miniature
portrait of the Empress in gold frame set
round with diamonds.


The first topic touched upon was the power
and influence of the press in the United States
and France. Napoleon said he had been
constant reader of the HERALD,
and he was well aware that the
press was a powerful institution. Ac-
cording to his idea it had been
the instrument of much good and also of much
injury In France, for when he had freed 1t
entirely from censorship II was seized by
demagogues and politicians, who perverted
the public mind by openly advocating dis
obedience to the laws. He ascribed the terri
BILE catastrophe now convulsing France
principally to the seditious arguments of the
press, controlled by pretended reformers.
Acknowledging the superior intelligence of
the masses Of Americans to that of the people
of France and the natural sympathy of the
United States with the French republic, he
said all conditions requisite to true
republican form of government were not to be
found in France. In familiar manner he
went on to illustrate the absence of real
political intelligence in his own country, OBJ
serving that the republic of America and the
republic Of France sare as different as white
is from black" Napoleon paid very hand
some and well deserved tribute to the superior
obedience to law and the high public senti-
ment, based upon general intelligence and
morality, in the United States, and by con-
trast pictured the deplorable condition of pri-
vate and public morality in France.


The immediate causes OF the downfall of his
dynasty be said he could liken only to an
earthquake produced by the combined action
of hidden influences in the elements, the exist
ence Of which we are aware of without being
able to trace their sudden operations" His
government, he said, had been almost too
willing to listen to those who imagined they
knew best how to promote the well
fare of the country and hence he
complained that when he had conceded
the right Of free assemblages OF the
people the privilege was abused to an un-
limited extent, and assassination, ''poison-
ing" and ''rebellion" were openly preached as
the only means of saving the country He
looked to Americans, as frank and generous
hearted nation, for a just and impartial
opinion Of his course and for popular disbe-
lief of the slanderous accusations now preferred
against him. He denied the assertions that he
had appropriated the public funds and conjured
The largest part Of his own civil list had
been expended for the benefit of the public
institutions of the country, and he had little
private property left. He said he had no
property Of any description in New York. 81
have some property in Italy, he said, (which
was left me by my father; my wife has
private dowry and her jewelry," and
with these exceptions we have nothing"
Napoleon assured our correspondent that he
was perfectly convinced that the forces of
France were not in condition to compete with
the military establishment of Prussia, but that
Marshals Mel and LebGuf constantly endea-
vored to persuade him to the contrary, and to
this error of judgment of his marshals
he attributes the disasters which ensued.
Concerning the question of peace, Napoleon
considered that Bismarck's terms were too
extreme, and touching the point Of territorial
annexation, with deep emotion he sighed and