The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3097, 22 January 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1873

Tjik eventful life of Lons Napoleon is closed: the monarch who, three years since, by his word, decreed life or death, happiness or misery to thousands, is dead. Before the Franco-German war. all Europe would have trembled with apprehension at the possible result of his death; hut now he has gone quietly, like an ordinary mortal, and perhaps it is well tor the happiness and peace of hj ranee. Charles Loris Napoleon Bonaparte, the third son of Lons Bonaparte, ex-King of Holland, by Hokthnsk, daughter of the Empress Josephine, prior to her marriage with the First. Napoleon, was born on Bie 20th April. 1808 : he was therefore in the 65th year of Ids age. Early in life he shared iii the misfortunes of the family, and perhaps a more eventful career than his lias never fallen to the lot of mortal. We need not repeat the well-known story of his life. He evidently had one purpose in view from his youth upward, and he prepared himself for it. He aspired to the throne of France. The idea seemed so chimerical, the difficulties in his way appeared so insuperable, that he uas looked upon as a visionary. But improbable as the realisation of his hopes seemed to be, events favored his projects. So early as 1832 lie began to prepare the way to the throne by publishing a work in which he expressed the belief that France could only ho regenerated by a Bonaparte, as “ they alone could reconcile republican principles ith the military aspirations of the French/ He seems to have miscalculated the effect of his publication, and to have thought it had prepared the mind of France to accept his claim; whereas it had barely done more than draw the attention of (he Bourdons to his movements. Under this false impression, he m<)de his rash attempt on Strasbourg. Escaping imprisonment on that occasioi), he topic gp his abode in England, and again published Ids ideas on French affairs, preparatory to his attempt at Boulogne in 1810. His capture and imprisonment in the castle of Ham for six years drew upon him the ridicule of the Bress, and led to his being regarded as a reckless adventurer, wholly unfit to govern, But the Revolution of 1818 changed his fortune, and the true qualities of his mind exhibited themselves. In the hazardous steps by which, in 1852, lie reached the Imperial throne ho showed calm courage ami great foresight. Those characteristics were displayed in a greater or less degree during the nineteen yours of his reign, although it cannot bo denied that in endeavoring to find employment for his army abroad lie committed many serious errors. Gifted statesman as lie was, he does not appear to have kept pace with the times. He comprehended clearly the political difficulties of Europe, but like many other monarchs and governments, he under-estimated those social changes in the national mind, that arc far more powerful in their operation than laws and governments. His mistake lay in supposing France could arrest the progress of ideas. Ho therefore opposed the unification of Germany and Italy, and to this opposition to the tendencies of the time he owed his downfall. Whatever benefit Franc# .derived from his rule in the first years of his power passed away. Had he acted firmly upon Ids motto LEmpire I rest la jiai-e, and placed himself at the head of a confederation of States, bound to maintain international peace, he would have gone to the grave blessed by #ll men as a benefactor. As it is, the historian will have to record opportunity thrown away, #nd a life wasted, through a mistake having been by him made respecting the true end and purpose of government . He has gone, and, we think, buried with him is every chance of one of his name again ruling over France.