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tage of the former, inasmuch as the lications as took place at Paris at the English general deserted from his patron, appearance of the Acte Additionnel aux benefactor, and friend; but the French Constitutions de l'Empire. Both roymarshal to his protector, benefactor, and former chief.

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ELBA.

alists and republicans, as well even as some of those who are supposed more attached to the emperor, flew upon it at Some English travellers visited Napo- once. They began by the beginningleon's palace at Elba soon after his de- the very title was offensive.-The “Adparture, and found his establishment, his ditional Act to the Constitutions of the library, his apartment, and his furniture, Empire," and the "Napoleon, by the exactly in the state he had left them. Grace of God and the Constitutions, His old housekeeper, who had followed Emperor of the French," showed, said him through all his vicissitudes of for- they, that Napoleon considered the old tune, was in the greatest distress, not system of despotism, the empire, as about herself, but for his safety and suc- again in activity; that he skipped over cess. Her unaffected expressions of at- the charter of Louis, the reign of Louis, tachment, and artless report of his uni- and his own abdication, all which anform good humour, were better refuta- nulled these constitutions, as if they had tions of the hideous pictures drawn of never happened; and that he was Emhis domestic manners, than volumes peror by the Grace of God and without written by the flatterers who so long at- any interval, after the fashion of the tended and disgraced his court. His monarch whose nineteen years of reign library was strewn with written papers he had himself so fairly derided. torn into small bits, and on the table was lying open a life of Charles V., which he had been reading the night before he embarked.

THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

The articles of the constitution were attacked in detail by a thousand pamphlets. Those to which the principal objection was made, were, the initiation of all the laws by the government, which was one of the faults of the royal charter, and the establishment of hereditary peers, which seemed a contradiction of the decree of the 10th of April, abolishing the nobility and feudal titles.

ABDICATION AT FONTAINBLEAU.

The sketch of the new constitution appeared in the Moniteur of Sunday, April the 23d. It was said to be principally the work of Mr. Benjamin de Constant, a name invariably joined with the Lanjuinais, the Raynouards, the Bedochs, the Flaugergues, the Durbachs, A French colonel, who attended the and all those who had distinguished emperor at Fontainbleau during the days themselves as the patrons of liberty, of his abdication, informed me, that he during the reign of eleven months- was standing by the side of Napoleon, therefore was it expected that the ut- on the parade, when M. de Caulainmost concession would be made to the court brought him the first news of his people, and that the democratic spirit deposition. The event was communiwould prevail throughout every article. cated in a whisper. Napoleon drew Those acquainted with the French char- back a step, bit his lip, and a faint flush acter were not astonished to hear the passed across his cheek; but he recoverpleasantries launched against this tenth ed himself instantaneously, and continutrial of their modern Numas, even before ed the review. For the first twentyits promulgation; but the friends of the four hours subsequent to his fall, he was emperor wore an aspect of the most a little unquiet; but afterwards was resettled concern and alarm when they stored to his usual spirits and manners. found the proposal, on its appearance, It was a melancholy scene; the long attacked on every side by serious as well corridors, the saloons of that vast palace, as playful assailants. I never recollect, even the anti-chamber of Napoleon, in my life, to have experienced such a were crowded with officers and soldiers, change in that which a man is apt to sauntering carelessly from room to room, call public opinion, that is, the opinion without subordination, but without disof those amongst whom he lives and turbance; for not only all order was lost, moves, and the voice of ephemeral pub- but all spirit even for commotion had

subsided. Each morning as they rose, lightened, candid, liberal, accomplished, some marshal, general, or minister, on patriotic ministers, the only patrons of being asked for by the emperor, was national and individual independence. found to have dropped off to Paris. These gentlemen know nothing of Napoleon, when he put his name to France, if they think there is a chance of the abdication, made two or three the imperial despotism being renewed in scratches and a dent with the stump of any other way, than by the decided sucthe pen, or back of a knife, on the little cess of the French arms in the ensuing round claw-footed yellow table, on contest, when gratitude may perhaps do which it was signed. After his resigna- the work of fear. There is, however, tion of the empire, he spent his time, even in the army, such a spirit of indeeither in conversation in his apartment, pendence, and so weary are the superior or in a little English garden at the back officers of the perpetual labours of the of the palace, which he had himself laid last war, so anxious all the new men to out at a considerable expence. In the assure what they have obtained, that no midst of it there is a circular marble one here thinks, that, under any supposifountain, with a figure of Diana rising tion, Napoleon would be able to perfrom the centre of the bath. On a stone suade either his troops or France to carry bench beside it, and immediately oppo- a war beyond the Rhine; nor that the site to a vista, at the end of which is a emperor would support in his capital or figure of Mercury on a pedestal, Napo- the provinces, if he provoked a contest leon, où one of these days of distress, for the recovery even of Belgium, or if was seated alone for three hours, and he did not make every effort to remain amused himself in kicking a hole, a foot deep, with his heel, in the gravel beneath. The keeper of the palace of Fontainbleau shewed me both the table and the fountain.

at peace. It is his moderation, that is to say, the repeated offers that he has made to the allies to maintain the treaty of Paris, that has rallied the pride and self-love of France round his person, and Conversing one day with the colonel, has put the question between this counhe said, "It is not the armies that have try and the combined sovereigns into the dethroned me, not the combined sove- simple form of a foreign interference in reigns, not the extraordinary efforts of the choice which she is make of a soverEngland; but the progress of liberal eign. ideas, which, if I had regarded four or M. de Caulaincourt's memorial to the five years past, I should have confirmed emperor, in which it was hinted, that the my power for ever. However," said interference of foreigners might prevent he, gaily, "I did not, and it is come to the regulation of their internal affairs, this.' In the conversation to which I created a suspicion, that a war would be have before alluded, which he held with commenced to excuse the necessity of Mr. Sismondi, he said, "that he was the giving a free constitution to France. child of the revolution; that he owed But the continued determination of all his greatness to the emancipation of England to pursue this unjust object, France from its ancient servitude; that and the frankness with which the empe he knew and was attached to the true ror has thrown himself into the arms of principles of liberty; "quoique je m'en the people, has listened to their voice, suis écarte," added he; "but I have and has identified their interests with seen my error, I have felt and suffered, his own, by the convocation of the and I acknowledge the absolute necessi- chamber of representatives, has decided ity and demand for freedom in this the part to be played by those whom we country."

DELUSIONS IN ENGLAND.

I see, in the English papers, accounts of numerous arrests and violences at Paris-all faise, as usual; and resorted to in order to reconcile the people to a war against Napoleon, as if he were the great enemy of freedom; and our en

call the jacobins--that is to say, fourfifths of the population of France, who are determined to stand the shock of nations, and to try the chances of liberty at least, in one great throw, in the person of Napoleon. Accordingly, although the cap of liberty is not hoisted, the eagle is held as its substitute-the impe

rial guard march to the Marseillaise; the emperor had determined to throw and it was remarked the other day to himself; for, though these two gentleme at the Tuileries, that, for the first men are considered of very different intime since the early days of the republic, clinations, the one being attached to the the troops passed in review to the tune principles, and the other only to the reof the once famous ça ira. Every en- sults, of the revolution; yet they are gine is set to work-the theatre Mon- equally a protection against any renovatansier is now fitted up as a coffee- tion of the imperial despotism. The house-tables and chairs are placed in former minister, perhaps, may be conthe pit, whilst the boxes and the lobbies sidered a republican, who thinks no preare thrown into one-on the stage is a liminary step so likely to accomplish his pedestal, in the midst of a natural bower great object as the perpetual exclusion of green, upon which is placed the lau- of an ancient incorrigible dynasty; and rel-crowned bust of the emperor. The who, for this purpose, has not hesitated whole house is crowded every night to to devote himself to the service of the excess, although there is no other enter- emperor entirely and without reserve tainment than volunteer songs chaunted to the praise of Napoleon and liberty. I recollect that one of them ran upon the joke of last year, which assigned the name of Nicholas to the emperor.

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The songs at the Montansier are what we call of the most inflammatory nature; that is, they breathe an ardent spirit of liberty, and not only declare the right of France to be free, but the wish that other nations may profit by her example.

Si les peuples du continent
Marchaient sur la patrie

La guerre, c'est mon sentiment,
Serait beintôt finie.

Nous voyant libres, ils diraient
Vivent les Francs! la France !
Et tout bas, ils ajouteraient,
Pour nous quelle espérance?

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a conduct, for which if his propensities cannot altogether account, the circumstances of the case may. M. Carnot is believed to have survived that acuteness and penetration which have given his name so deserved a celebrity; and his firmness and courage, which still remain, having lost those guides, are by those who do not esteem him, not unfrequently degraded into obstinacy and rashness. His Memoir to Louis the Eighteenth must surely be considered a very inferior performance, and as much might be guessed by the extraordinary pains taken to disperse it; as, amongst other contrivances, it is now vagrant through the streets in such tilted carts as are used in

London, by the perambulatory agents. of lottery contractors.

The Duke of Otranto, from whom more compliance might be expected, as his principles have a greater tendency towards monarchical establishments, is nevertheless suspected to be much less a Napoleonist than his brother minister;

I do not require you to praise the po- and, being regarded as such, is consideretry, but to remark the sentiments.

CARNOT AND FOUCHE.

ed as so much the more certain a guarantee of the moderate popular policy which the emperor resolves to pursue.

On the 22d of March, M. Carnot was declared a count of the empire for his de- He is decidedly the best head, so they fence at Antwerp; and was also named, say, in France; and at this moment is by another decree, minister of the inte- in possession, unaccountable as it may rior. The national guards, enrolled on seem, of the confidence of all parties, if the 9th of the month, and the volunteers, perhaps we except the very decided imwere decreed inactive; as also were the perialists attached to the person of Nageneral councils of the departments, or- poleon. Of all the ministers appointed ganized by the late government on the by Napoleon, I hear of only one who is 11th of March.

The appointment of M. Carnot, as well as of M. Fouché, was direct evidence of the party into whose hands the

not respectable for some quality; and, with that exception, their appointment is such as would do credit to any court in Europe. Recollect always, that I am

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talking of the Carnots and Fouchés of 1815, not of those persons as they appeared in 1794.

D'AVOUST.

The emperor took care to converse with the officers and men on the parade; a familiarity due, I think, to their affection, and by no means unworthy of him The Prince of Eckmuhl is looked up- or them. The first week was chiefly on in England as a monster, for the ex- occupied in reviewing the troops, and in tremities to which he reduced Ham- measures of internal re-organization. burgh; but those extremities were nec- Some regiments, indeed, passed before essary for the defence of the town in- the emperor every day up to the 28th. trusted to his care, and, severe as they On the 30th of March, the works of were, have not left the marshal without Paris were re-commenced at the founadmirers, even in that devoted city, where tain of the Elephant, the Louvre, the his exact discipline and his disinterested- new market-place of St. Germains, and ness were topics of praise, whilst the suburbs were by his orders destroyed. The marshal refused the purse presented as usual to the military governor of the city.

THE DUKE OF VICENZA.

the office of foreign affairs: the next week the workmen were doubled-the streets recovered their former names-the public buildings their imperial inscriptions the theatres were declared on their ancient footing-and the imperial conservatory, for the education and maintenance of actors and singers of both sexes restored.

The Duke of Vicenza has been named to the department of foreign affairs, being at the same time grand master of the horse. He is an exceedingly popu lar person, and contributes very much, as The emperor's bust was replaced, by well as Count Mollien, to the respecta- acclamation, at the saloon of the conbility of the present ministry. To hear servatory; as were his statue, and the such animalcule as Blacas and others, foreign colours preserved during the last through the channel of our pitiful news- reign, and hidden in the king's time, in papers, call these gentlemen the rebel government, and exhaust every epithet of abuse upon men against whom no other charge can be brought than that they have placed themselves in the post of honourable peril, must move the spleen both of English and French, of whatever party, who retain any sentiments of generosity and candour.

HIS MEASURES.

the theatre of the legislative body. This last step, together with replacing Carle Vernett's grand picture of the battle of Marengo in the Louvre, and similar proceedings, unimportant as they may appear, did not lose their effect; as indeed they were indicative that the time had arrived, when the French were no longer to be ashamed of their former exploits, nor regard the trophies of their glory as Napoleon lost no time in re-organizing the emblems of treason and usurpation. his empire: his first care was directed On the 31st of March he visited and to the army, of different corps of which spent some time at the establishment at he held repeated reviews and inspections St. Denis, dedicated to the education in the court of the Tuileries. Every and maintenance of the daughters of regiment in the service addressed him in members of the legion of honour. This terms of unqualified devotion. All the institution originating in Napoléon, it officers on half-pay, who followed the was part of the folly and the system of emperor, and who were in Paris, were the Bourbons to neglect. immediately put in activity by an order Napoleon has taken care to visit all of the 24th. On the 21st Napoleon re- the scientific establishments: he went viewed the Elbese battalion. On the to the Garden of Plants on the 6th of 24th he inspected two divisions, and the April, and the same day called on Mr. chasseurs and lancers of the guard. On David, with whom he remained an hour, the 25th ten regiments of infantry, six of examining his picture of the Pass of cavalry, and two of artillery, passed be- Thermopyla; these visits he pays fore him. Most of these troops had ar- without any suite or giving notice of his rived by forced marches at Paris, to as- arrival-a simplicity which I observe to or partake the triumph of their be most effectual in the successor of Louis. On this Sunday, the 2d, the imperial

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favourite.

guard gave a fête to the national guard thought, "such unaccountable conduct. and garrison of Paris, in the Champ de "We have tried," said the general, "to Mars. The common soldiers, to the let them know the truth, but they will number of 15,000, were placed at tables not hear us: however, the Moniteurs in the open air; whilst the officers dined get to England, they will see the truth in the galleries of the palace of the mili- there." Certainly, they will see it, but tary school. After the repast, which they will not believe it: they will believe was served up in 66 of an immense the Austrian Observer instead. presence Well, multitude, on the sloping sides of the but your countryman is gone to London; plain, and which was interrupted by ma- he will tell what is the real posture of ny military songs and other toasts to the affairs." They will not believe him either. health of the emperor, the empress, and "If so," rejoined this gentleman," what the imperial prince (for so the King of is the use of any further attempt at comRome is now denominated,) repeated to munication? However, I cannot help the sound of music and discharges of thinking that every thing is as well known. artillery, the whole mass of guests and in London as at Paris, and that your spectators rose to the shout of some government have eyes, but shut them." voices which cried out " to the column!" The simple reply to which was, only to The procession, carrying a bust of the ask him if he had ever read our Courier, emperor, with music, moved towards or seen Lord Castlereagh. the Tuileries, and presented itself under Instead of believing the Moniteur, our the imperial apartments with unceasing good ministers gave credit to the Austriacclamations, to which Napoleon replied an Observer; one article of which, on the by appearing at the window, and salut- 15th of April, said that the Tuileries ing the enthusiastic multitude, who then looked like an intrenched camp, being repaired to the column of the grand ar- filled with troops and cannon, with lightmy in the square. Vendôme, under ed matches. But the ministry have apwhich the bust of Napoleon received a peared anxious that as little communicasolemn inauguration; at which moment tion as possible should take place between the pedestal of the pillar and the houses the two countries, for fear disagreeable of the square were spontaneously illumi- facts should find their way to the parlianated, and rings of soldiers, national ment and the country; for a French guards, and citizens, danced round the commissary, sent to Dover on the 8th of monument of their former glories. The April, to demand the reciprocal and usual evening ended with a procession round interchange of letters and journals bethe boulevards, the palais royal, and tween Calais and that port, was told, that principal streets of the neighbouring not only his proposition could not be quarter. No excesses, no insulting of listened to, but that he must quit Engroyalists, no turbulent shouts, or mena- land the same day. cing gestures in short, no sign of the triumph of one citizen over another was displayed during this fête.

THE CONFEDERATES.

NAPOLEON'S CRIMES.

Napoleon was not born to the purple "the head and front of his offending hath this extent-no more."

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By this he hath offended the sovereigns of Europe, but not the peopleGeorge Prince Regent-not you and

me.

I took the liberty, in a conversation with one of the emperor's aid-de-camps on the 14th, when I heard his letter had been returned unopened by the Prince BAD FAITH OF THE CONFEDERATES. Regent, and transmitted to Vienna, to I have not mentioned the infractions recommend another application, upon of the treaty of Fontainbleau, with which the pretext of the entire pacification of Napoleon charges the other contracting the empire, which was afterwards an- parties, the treatment of the Empress nounced, as I have mentioned, on Sun- Maria Louisa, his wife; of Joachim, day the 17th, and which might have King of Naples, his brother-in-law, the some effect upon the fears or the justice refusal of the stipulated pension to himof the English cabinet. Nothing but self, and the attempts made upon his life an extreme ignorance of the real state of by the Bourbon governor of Corsica. things in France" could occasion, I The sequestration of the Bonaparte pro

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