NAPOLEON III.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 731, 16 April 1853, Page 3

NAPOLEON 111.

(From the Home News, December 21.) The difficulties of the Emperor begin with (he Empire. He has hitherto ruled France by his own will; he is now endeavouring to rule it hy something in the shape of a Constitution, which is constantly throwing up obstacles in the way of his will. From the incidents which have already happend, he would he a hold prophet who should hazard a prediction of what may, or may not, happen within the next six months. Already the Princess Wasa, whose portrait was shown about (he Court as (hat of the future Empress, has declined the proffered honour, rejected the Imperial suitor, and bestowed her accomplishments and her beauty on Prince Albert of Saxony, The Princess Matilda, actuated apparently hy a similar distrust of the stability of the new Empire, has refused an allowance of a year offered to her by her cousin, the Emperor, on condition (hat she should renounce an allowance she receives from Russia. She evidently docs not approve of the security, and thinks it safer to depend on her Russian settlement. These incidents arc slight; but like the smallest wreaths of smoke, they indicate the fire slumbering below. They humiliate the pride of power in proportion to the distrust they exhibit in its stability. In other directions, the Emperor finds impediments and embarrasments hardly less galling. Tiie Pope hesitates about the coronation; the Senate is not quite so slavish as it has been'; (he Northern Powers are suspiciously slow in their recognition of the imperial dignity ; (he Ministers havebegunto quarrel inthevery presence of the sovereign, one accusing another of ruining the Empire, and being charged himself in return with having disgraced it ; while certain negocinlions which were opened by the Emperor with the old members of (lie Republican party, including, it is said, General Changarnicr, have been answered by an indignant protest and refusal. No man in Franco who lias a vestige of character will serve under Ihc new Government. These facts arc significant. They reveal uneasiness and a spirit of resistance which strew the path of the despot with difficulties of no ordinary kind. Louis Napoleon is rapidly becoming isolated in his position. He will soon have lilllc left to depend upon hut his own courage and energy. He cannot go on* with his old Ministers. The mission that lies before him demands abler and more respectable men. He cannot conduct the affairs of the country hy the same surprises and bold violations of faith that enabled him to (fle.T (he <otij) a dal. As yet we have no means of forming even a conjecture as to how lie purposes lo restore the industry of the country, to satisfy the army, and lo replace the Empire in the rank it ought to hold among (lie European powers. Wc sec nothing but coldness and distrust towards him from abroad, and growing dissentions at home. Some great stroke of policy may give him a sudden advantage, but as be cannot invent new devices every day lo beguile or crush the people, we are at a loss to comprehend (Sic yet undiscovered art by which lie is (o control the dangers that surround him on all sides.