NAPOLEON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 235, 5 October 1870, Page 4

NAPOLEON.

When the eyes of all the world are -turned upon these two great men (one of whom is now a prisoner in Berlin), whose -combined action has brought about the war between France and Prussia, it may not be out of place to give a brief sketch of their career. The following is condensed from Men of the Times: — Charles Louis Napoleon Buonaparte was born at the Tuilleries 20th May 1808. He is the third son of Louis Buonaparte, *x-King of Holland, his mother being Hortense, the daughter of the Empress Josephine by her first marriage. Passing over the early eveuts of his life, we come to ibe year 1835, when his designs upon the throne of France became evident; and in 1839 he made an attempt to seize the fortress of Strasbourg. He gained over Colonel Vaudrey, commander of artillery in the garrison of Strasbourg. Fifteen officers stationed there promised him their «o-operation. He appears to have been too wise to risk his own personal safety in the insurrection, but returned to Switzerland, leaving the affair to some of his adherents. The attempt failed miserably ; the Priuce himself was captured, and remained as a prisoner at Strasbourg from October 30 to November 9, wben he was conducted to Paris, where his mother had been entreating for his life to be spared. TM S was granted on condition that he should go to the United States , and he was accordingly conveyed thither. Very soou he returned to Switzerland, only to find his mother on her deathbed. . Shortly -afterwards the French Government, being apprehensive of a new conspiracy, demanded his banishment from Switzerland, and he removed from that country to England. In 1838 he took up his residence in London, and in the following year published his celebrated work "Desldees Napoleoniennes." Iu 1840 he hired a London steamer called the City of Edinburgh, and, embarking, with Count Montholon, General Voisin, and fifty-three associates, landed near Boulogne on August 6. He summoned tbe troops to join him or surrender, but the only man who did so was a young lieutennnnt of the 42ud regiment. As the National Guard beat to arms, Prince Louis retreated with his followers out of the town towards the pillar on the heights above Boulogne, and there he planted a flag with a golden eagle at the top of the -staft. Being pressed by numbers he retreated to the beach, and was captured with his associates in endeavoring to get on board the steamer. In October, the Prince and his followers . were tried at Paris, before 160 peers of France, many of whom owed their elevation to his uncle. The Prince was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment in a fortress in France. He was confined for six years in the citadel at Ham, whence he escaped on May 25, 1840, having effected his exit from the castle by assuming as a disguise the dress of a workman. He again sought refuge in England, but in 1848 he was elected a member of the National Assembly, and afterwards President of the French B epublic. He so deceived the Coustitutionists as to avert measures to prevent a coup d' etat, and he cajoled the National Assembly, until, stimulated by the advice and aid of such men as St. Aroaud and Fleury, early on the morning of December 1, 1851, he imprisoned every statesman in Paris known for his opposition to him, dissolved the Assembly, seized the most distinguished generals suspected of disaffection to his cause, and proclaimed himself dictator. Having subdued the capital, and possessed himself of every element of power, he offered himself as President. He was elected, and he then proclaimed a Constitution which gave him absolute power. In 1852, the {French nation by a majority of six millions, voted the restoration of the Empire, and in December. 1852, Napoleon assumed the title of "Napoleon 111., Emperor of the French, by the grace of God and the will of the people." He was recognised by the English Government, and afterwards by other Powers. The Emperor married Eugenie Maria de Gusman, Countess of Taba, January 29, 1853, and the only issue of the marriage is the Prince. Imperial, Napoleon Eugene Louis Joseph, born March 16, 1855. * * * The Emperor's health has lately suffered very much, and it is doubtful whether he •will survive great excitement, or serious

disaster. » His ; present conduct towards Prussia, according to the last telegrams via Suez, is regarded by the English Press as unjustifiable, ■ being merely .-& daring attempt to gratify the taste of the French for military glory, and thus to perpetuate the name of the Napolecn family, to secure the throne to his son, and to suppress the rising tendencies of republicanism, with an utter disregard of human life, and the happiness of millions of people.

We shall give a sketch pf the life of Bismarck in our next.