Year: 1871

during his recent sojourn abroad had l
many opportunities of becoming acquaint |
ed with the drift Of public opinion, as
we'll as with some of the prominent actors
in recent European events. Some of the
results of his observations are told in the
subioiued report OF conversation which
he had with one of our reporters


"Well, Colonel, it is understood that
you have visited the Emperor Napoleon
at ChiseIhurst, and the world is anxious
to obtain from you any recoileetiSn of
your relations with him which may be
repeated"


81 cannot tell you much without vio-
lating the cOurtesies of private life. lou
of course see that it would be highly
improper to repeat any matters L heard
in conversation which it wss understood,
l presume, was entirely private.


"Of course, still there are many i'm
pressions which you have doubtless form
ed which there is no indelicacy in re
lating of u public person. Is the Em
peror's health satisfactory at presentf


Yes. He appeared to be in excellent
health and quite cheerful. He was on a
Yachting excursion with me, aud while
on board the yacht he moved about, OBJ
serving everything, and enjoyed himself
quite as much as any of the party, per
haps more So"


lis be in good spirits Do you think
him detected at his reverse of fortune ?


He is in fair spirits and quite hope
full do not thiuk that be is much dis
turbed at the loss of his position, and
doubtless neither he nor the Empress
would care to regain it we're it not for
their SOP. The ingratitude OF many OF
those who ought to have been their
friends has inclined them personally
more and more to private life. +"


What hopes are entertained OF their
restoration Is it not believed that the
Nspoleonie game is gone up"


Not at all Shortly before l left
London I diucd with member OF the
Imperial family, who explained to me
some of the views which are now held by
the Imperialists II is looked on as cer-
tain that the imperial government will
be restored France has but two parties,
the Imperialist and the Red Republican,.
The Bonrbons are nowhere. Everything
looks favorable for restoration OF the
imperial power. The governments OF
Europe are in favor of it, for they see
that the disturbed condition Of France
is q perpetual menace to European order
and they know that Napoleon was able
when at the head of affairs to keep the
elements of disorder under. have
gathered this impression from many OF
the foreign diplomatists whom have met
abroad 1t is the opinion Of our Own
legation that the Emperor is likely TO be
restored, and that it would be popular
with the European potentates."


But do not the Imperialists recognize
how unpopular the imperial government
has become 2"


"Of course; but this unpopularity will
disappear in the light of the revelations
which NJ Duvernois aud others are
making of what France lost by over
throwing the empire after Sept. 4. The
| result of the Russian revelations must be
favorable to the Emperor, for it is clear
that Russia was ready to interfere in his
favor bat for the decheance. For hun
dred other reasons it is but natural to ex
pect a strong reyulsion Of feeling in favor
of the empire. The army, too, is strong
iu his favor"


what is thought of the Theirs gov
ernment?" ?"


Every one sees that that is only a
makeshift govern ment and that it cannot
last any time. The chief executive is an
old man and may die at any time. That
moment, if rot sooner, France will be
plunged into another civil war.


"You think so Will this be red
war again? Has Gambetta still retained
his influence?'


He is still active, and he sides with
the Republicans--that is, he will advo-
cate a republic of which the chief will
be Leon Gambetta. We all know what
founding a republic in France means. 1t
/ is. of course, the next thing to founding
dynasty. His dictatorial conduct just
before the surrender of Paris will be re.
membered by every one. He certainly
/ intended coup d'etat then, and | pre-
sumo he has not forgotten his project.


What backing has hep"


"You know there is schism in the
French army at present. When the old
officers were In prison Gambetta supplied
their places by new men. Now the old
men coming back are disgusted to find
these in their places. The veterans are
| attached to the empire, the new TO Gam
| BETA. That is one source of his strength.
OF course he will also be supported by
the Republicans.


You suppose. however, that at the
fnal settling down the Bonapartes will
return to France and to power2'


IL have no doubt of it. OF course the
Emperor could not return now aud at
tempt another Boulogne expedition. /
saw Bazaine at Geneva last winter. and
he made his very point He said that
it was impossible for the Emperor to re
turn now to put himself at the head OF
his army and call for allegiance of the
French That is not exactly the way be
will return


"How do the Imperialists like Bazaint
and his conduct at Metz p


"Well, they think he did all he could
AS to his fighting at Metz, Gambetta hst
done much to discredit him, but he be
lieves that history will set him right, and
man of over sixty, with great wealth
cares little for anything else except th,
verdict of history. He fought the bat
tie of Gravelotte so as to win the admi
ration of the entire Prussian staff; they
admit that nothing but their superio
force could have beaten him. As to hi
getting out of Metz, the feeling now ii
that be could not have done so. Caan
GARNER has sustained his reputation il
that respect"


/ "What about Leb@uf?"


"Well, he is looked upon as wretche'
creature"


"To return to the imperial family
what are your impressions of the Em
press ?"