THE SECRET POLICE UNDER THE SECOND EMPIRE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1983, 14 December 1874, Page 4

THE SECRET POLICE UNDER THE SECOND EMPIRE.

[TAIL MAili GAZETTE,]

Among Frenchmen, at least, it was the secret police, with its mysterious arrests and its domiciliary visits, probably more than anything else, that made the second empire odious. No one could feel sure that it might not be his turn next- to be awakened in the dead of night and requested to step into a cab \sith two gensdarmes while his papers were being carried off by a third. The establishment in the Hue Jerusalem was believed to be in ? a state of perfect organisation and never-sleeping watchfulness. Could the truth have been known, it 'would have turned out that more time was spent by M. Pietri's functionaries in watching each other than in looking after the public at large. But the truth could not be known, and in its stead the wildest fables were circulated and eagerly believed. After giving several of the popular legends which were current in the reign of Charles 11. respecting Clude Dnval and other famous highwaymen, Lord Macaulay justly observes that the mere fact that such things were believed throws a singular light on the customs and opinions of that age. To a more enlightened generation it will appear marvellous that a book like the " Memoirs of Griscelli " should have found readers to take its contents for serious in the most sceptical of cities. The volume purports to be written by a gentleman calling himself an employe of Napoleon IIL, but whom we in England should designate by a variety of brief and forcible appellations. He began lifesuch is his own story — as a shepherd in his native Corsica, where he married early, and aoon tired of his wife. The simplest course under the circumstances appeared to be to leave her, and accordingly Griscelli enlisted. His regiment shortly after embarked for France, though not before he had time to fight a duel in connection with a vendetta. He soon acquired the reputation of a fire-eater, and at Lyons was challenged by seven soldiera in succession belonging to another regiment. He killed three of them, and drank a glass of wine preparatory to dealing with the fourth, when his officers declared that he had done all that the honor of the regiment required. They then patted him on the back, and the colonel presented him with lOOf. The daughter of a neighboring innkeeper also gave him many tokens of her regard. Indeed, on the return of the young lady's brother from foreign parts, M. Griscelli found it expedient to take an abrupt leave of Lyons and his regiment together. The latter Btep necessitated concealment, aud for the next few yeara M. Griscelli's movements are Bhrouded in obscurity. He tried to earn a living by writing for the press, but a literary career was hardly suited to his tastes. In 1848 a great piece of good fortune befel him. A Corsican became the chief of the state, and horn all parts of the island Corsicana hastened to congratulate their illustrious compatriot, and to tender their services. Napoleon was, of course, much flattered, if ssmewhat embarrassed, as each of these gentlemen carried a stiletto, the point of which he was ready to proffer as the alternative of friendship. A good many received comfortable . appointments and a good many more received promises. Among the former was Griscelli, who soon rose to be the personal attendant of the President. For nine years (such is his story) he served his master with doglike fidelity, being seldom far away by night or by day. Jn fact, the only occasion on which he appears to have left his post was when he was called to London on important business. About that time the English papers were full of a mysterious murder committed in the neighborhood of Leicester-square. No trace could be discovered of the assassin. The Emperor (as he had become) had just read a leader in the " The Times'!. on the Bubject, 1 when he looked out of a window of the Tuileries and beheld his faithful servant pacing up and down the gravel path below. He beckoned with his hand, and the next minute Griscelli stood in the Imperial presence. " Were you in London last Friday V asked his Majesty. "Yes, eire." "I thought so,". aaid the Emperor, with a frown, and turned his back on his retainer.

The nature of the 'services rendered by M. Griscelli to the Empire may best be described by an, example. He had retired to rest one night, and was enjoying the sweet sleep which an unclouded conscience alone can bestow, when he was gently roused by an elderly personage decorated with the Legion of Honor, who begged him to hasten at once to the abode of M. Pietri. As soon as he arrived there the prefect of police^, put a telegram into his bands. It Btated that one Sanguinetti would land next morning at Calais, charged with admission to assassinate the Emperor. With the telegram M. Griscellireceived 1000 francs, and an assurance that a special train was ready for him.

At Calais he was met by the prefect of the department, who cordially shook hands with him and invited him into the refreshment room, where they took coffeo together. In another hour the luckless Sanguinetti made his appearance, looking very seasick. Was he at once arrested on suspicion ? They manage these things better in France. He was simply dogged? A. few daya later the Erapecor and Empress startedjfor Bordeaux, Sanguinetti followed by the next train, in which M. Griscelli also took a place. He had just perused his final instructions, which concluded with an intimation that it was time to act (" II fcvid agir"). A few days later a corpse was found on the banks of the Garonne. The authorities were of opinion that the deceased must must have committed suicide, as a dagger still remained fixed in his heart.

This was far from being the only occasion on which M. Guiscelli was called upon to execute the "high tasks" of justice, as the French call them. He is proud to relate how in one instance he nearly caused a war with Russia. There was a grand hunt at Fontainebleau, and Griscelli was one of the party. The' Emperor, who was a keen sportsman, had distanced the reat of the Court with the exception of a youn? man, who had pressed closely upon him. He was a stranger to Griscelli, who became anxious, and spurred his horse forward till he was abreast of the unknown one. Seizing his bridle, he presented a loaded pistol to his face, and bade him halt. M. Fould and several others of the household now galloped up. "Sir," said the Minister of Finance ia answer to the expostulations of the stranger, " this gentleman is responsible for the Emperor's safety, and as you have not, I believe, been presented to .his Majesty, your conduct certainly requires explanation." "My name," replied the cause of the disturbance, "is Prince Measchikoff. I only arrived in Paris yesteday, and as my ambassador was not in town I could not be presented." Apologies and greetings followed, and Prince Menschikoff slept at the Tuileries that night. In the morning Griscelli waited on his highness, who assured him he was not angry, and asked him to breakfast.

While the Emperor and Empress were on a visit to. Osborne, Griscelli pretends that Lord Palmerstpn, greatly struck by his sagacity and devotion, called him into his room, had a long chat with him, and gave him L6O. One observation only has he preserved of " the diplomatist of Albion." " Excellency,'' inquired Griscelli^"how long will Victor Emmanuel remain on the throne ?" "As long as he has money," replied Lord Palmeraton. In 1859 the Emperor was compelled to dispense with the services of M. Griscelli, nor did he again offer him employment or reward. Hence the publication of these memoirs, in which all that could be imagined by the author of a novel in a " penny dreadful" is related of Napoleon, of his consort, and of his Ministers. As a specimen of the style and inventive genius of the writer, one might quote with advantage his history of the relations of Mis Howard to the Second Empire, including the rise and decline of her influence. On the marriage of the Emperor, Mrs Howard was created Countess of Beauregard, and recommended to try the genial climate of Italy for the sake of her health. For several years she kept away from Paris, but in an evil hour returned. Next morning, according to Griscelli, the Countess was found dead in 1 her bed. What is certain, from the documents published affcer the 4th of September, is that Mrs Howard received altogether L 200,000 from her Imperial benefactor. A young Spaniard, having . at a state ball danced twice with a certain great lady, received a visit from M. Griscelli before retiring to rest. His visitor bore a pistol and a brief message. The hidalgo bowed with Oastilian gravity and blew out his brains, as requested. From the service of Napoleon 111. , M. Griscelli passed into the service of Victor Emmanuel. He was much impressed with the ability of Count Gavour, whose manner, in one important respect, contrasted favorably with that of the French' monarch. The latter, in giving his employee a commission, was in the habit of asking, " Are you armed ?" while Cavour always prefaced his speech by the question, "Do you want money V There are but two gleams of moral sense in the book. This is one of them. After the death of Cavour, M. Griscelli passed over to the. Legitimist Bide in politics. In 1866 he was employed as a spy at Florence by the Austrian Government, and he claims to have furnished intelligence of so important a character as to have led in a great measure to the victory of the Archduke Albert at Custozza. We also find him employed in raising a loan of LBO,OOO for Francis 11. of Naples on a . mortgage of the Farnese Palace, the mortgagee being that Mr Holloway to whom the world owes so deep a debt of gratitude. The ex-King conferred on M. Griscelli the title of Baron de Rimini, of which he ia justly proud. At other times we find him -dining with the Emperor Francis Joseph, and entertaining his Majesty with his adventures, or playing cards with three serene German highnesses, or transmitting funds from England for the Polish insurrection, or writing pamphlets nnder the direction of Cardinal "Wisemap. in defence of the temporal power.. i

Perhaps the mischief of a system of secret police and of gagging the presp, was never more strikingly shown than when such a^budget of hprrbrs, many, of which we are unable even to hint a*. } was not deemed an insult to the comm.on sense of the public. For there are, Frenchmen who read ihese oooks — stronger there ace people who believe in th/jm.