Fifteen years ago, when le Vicomte F. de Persigny, then aide-de-camp of Prince Charles Louis Napoleon,* now the President of the French Republic, published his account of the Strasburgh “Journée” of the 30th October, 1836, following another pamphlet printed by Poussielque, containing his biography as a preparative for that dash, I was attracted to the subject, and spoke of the hero of these brochures as a “scion of the Napoleon family, who was a marked man, and one likely to figure on the scene hereafter!” In 1830 he had taken part in the insurrectionary movement in Italy, whence he narrowly escaped, whilst his elder brother, the Duke of Reichstadt, died at Forli; and being ordered to quit France by King Philippe, he came to this country for a short period. In 1831 he went to Switzerland, where he was courted by the discontented Poles to put himself at the head of that nation in arms against Russia, which he prudentially declined. He then appeared to be entirely devoted to literary pursuits, and published his “Considérations Politiques et Militaires sur la Suisses;” and his “Manuel
* His baptismal name, but, when his uncle passed the Act of the Senate in the year XII. and he hecame the Representative of the Buonaparte dynasty, changed to Napoleon Louis. It was from this date that the imperial dignity was limited to the issue of Joseph, King of Spain, and Louis, King of Holland; excluding the descendants of Lucien and Jerome. |
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The failure at Strasburgh, and his being conveyed under escort to America, were the result; from which latter country he returned once more to England. His disguises, and assumption of false names, and narrow escapes, are perfectly romantic; and I had communicated to me a Letter addressed by him to his mother, in which he recites his misfortunes in endeavouring “faire envisager” the Napoléonnienne cause as the only national cause in France,—as the only cause of civilisation in Europe. It was then he proclaimed his desire to found a union and amalgamation of all parties, on the imperial basis, and establish the true interests of France, as the most preponderating constitutional government on the Continent.
At the present time, when every matter relating to this exalted personage possesses a high degree of public interest, I have thought it might be acceptable to print the annexed letter, so characteristic of the politico-literary and flattering tactics the Prince was then pursuing.
“Dear Sir,
“The article which out of kindness you have promised to insert in your valuable periodical relative to the P[rince] N[apoleon] B[uonaparte], will undoubtedly be repeated by the press throughout France. Some degree more of sympathy in its contents may have a great influence on the political horizon of the avenir!
“I beg leave to forward you a late article of the
English press, which may perhaps give you some further hint. I can
positively vouch for its correctness, having the honour of being acquainted
with the high Whig personage, who let himself out
| 374 | APPENDIX. |
“I hope I shall, in a short time, have the pleasure of introducing you to that most excellent young Prince, whose delight is to become acquainted with persons as much recommended by their scientific attainments, as by the perseverant liberality of their sentiments.
“I have the honour to be, sir,
“Your most obedient servant,
“P.S. I beg you to accept the enclosed engraving as a souvenir* It is one of the first copies.”
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* Portrait of the Prince. |
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