FRANCE. INAUGURATION OF THE EMPIRE. [From the Home News, December 8.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 806, 23 April 1853, Page 4

FRANCE. INAUGURATION OF THE EMPIRE. [From the Home News, December B.]

in our last we slated that tbe voting for the Empire had begun on Sunday, the 21st ultimo, and we were enabled to give up to the last hour the results of tbe election in Paris. We are now in possession of the final close of a proceeding which has been conducted all throughout with such skill and energy as to leave no doubt of its triumphant result. At 3 o'clock on tbe Ist iustaut, the corps legislatif xatt to bear the leports of bureaux appointed to examine and report the votes. This duty being performed, the President announced that the reports of the bureaux were terminated, that lomo returns of little importance were still wanting, and would now arrive too lute. He ac-

cordingly rpquecied tlie reporters to meet immediately at the Presidency, to sum up ihe whole of the votes in order ihat the definite result mi; hi be \ tockimed ia tlie evening. The Assembly n'.terwards adjourned to seven o'clock, when the following definite result on the plebiscite was proclaimed — Ayes 7.8Q4.189 Woes ........•••••••• 253,145 Hull 63,326 The scene in the Chamber of the Legislative Corps on the occasion, was striking, and rcquiies a little desciiption before we accompany the procession to St. Cloud. Not only outside, but inside the building every spot was crowded. The tribunes and galleries were full, and a vast number of ladies were present. The tribune, where the orators, of former days made the walls ring with eloquence, was displaced by a raised platform, and the vacant space which used to be occupied by the picture of Louis Philippe, in »he act of swearing to the charter of ISBO, behitd the President's chair, vras covered Uy a d*rk green silk curtain. The entrance to the Chamber was guarded by sentinels. A few minutes after seven o'clock the drums were heard from without, and a ru&h ol deputies to their places annouced ihe approach ol the President ot the Chamber. M. Billauli soon made his appearance, preceded by t!ie officers of the Chamber, and accompanied and followed by the secretaiies and members of the comraisaions, who had already presented their reports on the vote. M. Billault took his seat, and his example was at once followed by all the others ; hf touched the silver bell placed at bis right hand bef*re him, and in a moment the buzz of voices was hushed, and all became silent and attentive, The sight was not without interest. The whoh of the numbers were dressed in full Parliament. try costume, the rich s oJ(! embroidery gloaming in the light. Many wore their decorations, stars crosses, tnd ribbands. After the Secretary had read the minutes o tbe early sittiog of the same day, M. Billaul' rose tnd read the report, with the reasons dulj set forth for changing the form of governmem into the Empire, and giviug the title of Emperoi to the President Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. Ot concluding his report, M. Billault drew hirasel tip erect, waved his hat over head, and cried, " WiveFEmpereurV The whole of the Deputies — there were about 230 present— also stood up and uttered the same cry, waving their hats, anc many repeated it a second and a third time. Several ladies joined in tbe applause in th< expressive manner they are accustomed towaving their handkerchiefs. The Presulen then retired, and was followed by the Deputies The death sound of the Republic had beer uttered. In the large courtyard of the Chamber, th< carriages to convey the members to St. Cloui were already drawn in order. They were 20( in number. The facade of the Chamber toward; the Place de Burgogne was brilliantly illuminated. A river of light ran round the building : and the flags above it t/ave d to and fro in the ni^ht air. The President, accompanied by th< members of tbe Bureaux, preceded by the foui principal afficers of the Chamber, aud the two messengers of State, appeared first in the couit, and entered his caniage ; hs was followed by the Deputies, while the drums of the line and the trumpes of the lancets paid him military honours. The night was dark and cold, but fine, The cortege was accompanied by an escort of the 7th L'sucers; men on borsebtck, placed ai regular distances, with torches in their bands, lighted the way. They passed along the Rue de rUniversite, tbe E-p'anade of the Invaliues, the Quay D'Ors»ay, and crossed tbe bridge oi J*na — tbe flame of the torches gleaming on ib« river that rolled on in darkness and silence beneath. The funeral procession of the Republic thus passed along ! As tbe cortege approached St. Cloud, signal fires seen from different points were illuminated, and a considerable crowd filled ibe approaches to that palace where, fortyeight years ago, the predecessors of the same men who were now proceeding to announce the birth of the Imperial Governmebt had also repaired on the same mission. The cortege ol Deputies alighted from their carriages in the courtyard of the Palace of St, Cloud at a few minutes past 8 o'clock ; tbe Senators and Council of State had arrived a few minutes previously. The Legislative Corps were introduced into (he splendid saloon called the Saloon de Mars ; the Senators and Councillors of State occupied the saloons of Venus aud Diana. The Senators were introduced into the Gallery of Apollo by tbe Masfcys of the Ceremonies, and took their places accompanied by the Cardinals, Marshals, Admirals. The €ouncil ol State next entered, and were conducted to their places. Presently there was a hush of expectation, when Louis Napoleon, in tbe uniform of a General of Division, entered the gallery attended by his household, and a retinue of officers. He had on his right hand the ex-king Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, as Marshal of France; on his left Prince Jerome Bonaparte, in plain clothes; and behind him the Ministers of Slate, M. Baroche and M. Eerger. The moment he appeared be was saluted with loud acclamations of " Vive VEmpcrcur !" M. Billault, President of the Legislative body, i advanced, and in a firm and emphatic voice, read ! the following speech :—: — i Sire,— -We lay before your Majesty the solemn expression of tbe national will. In the midst ol the ovations which were decreed to you by popular enthusiasm, you showed no anxiety to assume a crown which was offered you on all sides, but desired that France should have time for reflection ; you wished that tbe supreme decision by which a people, master of itself, disposes sovereignly of its destiny, should only be taken coolly and in complete liberty. Your wish, Sire, is accomplisbed ; i ballot free, secret, and open to all, has been honestly examined ui.der the eyes of oil; summing up 8,000,000 votes, it gives to the legitimacy ol your government the widest basis on which any government in the world has ever been established. From the day when 0,000,000 votes, collected for you by the government itself which they called you to replace, deposited in your bauds the fate of the country, France, at each new ballot has marked by additional millions of votes the continued increase of her confidence in you. Without as within her municipalities, in her fetes a& in her votes, everywhere her feelings hare burst forth ; from one end of the coun'.ry

to the oilier, flocking on your 6t2ps, hastening from all pans, to salute the man of their bope» anil of tbeir faith, our people have sufficiently made known to the world that you are their Emperor, the Emperor chosen by the people ; and that you carry viith you that national spirit which, on the day marked out by Providence, crowns new dynasties, and seats them in the place of those which it no longer animates. Taking shelter under an immense recollection of glory, under what it holds most precious — its honour abroad, its security at- home, and those immortal principles of 1 789, the firm basis of new French society so firmly organised by the Emperor, your uncle — our nation raises up again with proud love that dynasty ol the Bonapartes, which sprung from him, and which was not overthrown by French hands. But, while preserving a proud remembrance of the great eveuts of war, it hopes to find from you the great things of peace. Having already seen you at work, it expects from you a resolute, prompt, and prosperous government. In order to aid you in it, it surrounds you with all her | sympathies, it delivers herself wholly up to you ; take tben, Sire, take from the hands of France, that glorious crown which she offers you ; never has a royal brow vrorn one more legitimate or n.ore popular. The President was frrquently interrupted by applause, and cries of " Vive Napoleon III !" " Vive rEmpereurf" M. Billault afterwards pteseiued the declaration of the Legislative Body, with the result of the votes. The Vice- President of the Senate then delivered a speech, in which the same sentiments were repeated in a different form, and at its conclusion, the Emperor, amidst the most profound tilence, in a firm voice replied as follows : — Gentlemen — The new reign which you this day inaugurate is not handed, as so many others mentioned in history have been, on violence, conquest, or stratagem ; it is es you have just declared, the legal result of the will of a whole people, consolidating during the calm that which it founded in the midst of agitation. I am deeply grateful to the nation which three times io four years has supported me with its suffrage, and each time has augmented its majority to iucrease my power. But the more that power gains in extent and in vital force, the more need it has of enlightened men, like those who every day surround me — of independent meo, like those whom I address — to guide me by their advice, and to contain my authority within just limits, if ever it could stray beyond them. I take this day with the Crown, the name of Napoleon HI., because the log'c of the people has already bestowed it upon me with acclamation, because the Senate has legally proposed it and because it has been ratified by the whole nation. Does this mean that in accepting this title I fall into the error attributed to the Prince who, returning from exile, declared ull and void all which bad been done in his absence ? Such a sentiment is far from my thought. Not only do 1 recognise the governments which have preceded me, but I in some measure iabesit what they accomplished, for good or for evil ; for succee£ug governments, notwithstanding tbeir different origin, are each a j.any to the acts of their predecessor. But the more readily I accept all that, for 50 years, history transmits to us with that inflexible authority, the less was it allowed to me to pass over in silence the glorious reign of the head of my family, and the tale, regular though ephemeral of his son, which the Chambers proclaimed in the last effort of their conquered patriotism. Thus the title of Napoleon 111. is not one of those uyaastio and obsolete pretensions which insult botb truth and common sense ; it is the homage paid to a government which was lawful, and to which we are indebted for the finest pages of our modern history. My reign does not date from 1815 ; it date* from the moment you communicated to me the the suffages of the nation. Accept, therefore, my acknowledgments, M. les Deputies, for the eclat you have given to the manifestation of the national will, io making it more evident by your verifying the votts, and more imposing by your declaration. I tbank you also M. les Senateurs, for having been the £rst to congratulate me, as you were also the first to embody the popular wish. Assist me, all, to establish iv this land, harassed by so many revolutions, a stable government, whose basis shall be religion, justice, probity, and the love of the less fortunate classes. And here receive the oath, that I will spare no exertions to assure the prosperity ol our country ; and that, while maintaining peace, I will yield in no point which concerns the honour aud dignity cf France. His Majesty, after several times bowing to the persons assembled, withdrew with the same ceremony as he entered. The members of the Senate of the Legislative Body returned to Paris at 10 o'clock. The next morning at 10 o'clock the Empire { was pioclaimed at the Hotel de Ville. A body ! of infantry was formed iv the square, and the 1 opeu spaces were filled with operatives, carrying bauners with Imperial emblems. Crowds of 1 people had arrived frcra various directions. The facade of the edifice was covered with flags aud j streamers. Unfortunately the effect of all this i display was spoiled by a severe fog and heavy falls of rain. The Piefert of the Seine advancing on the grand balcony gave the signal, and " Vive V Emperavr /" burst from the crowds below. The troops then beat to arms, cheered, and defiled, and marched off, accompanied by the corporations of trades, to meet the Emperor at the Barrier dc I'Etoile. At the same time a similar ceremony was pet formed by General de Lawsestiite, at the Porte Maillot, before the Hues cf the National Guard : but it was received coldly. Tbe guard stood ttill as mutes. Shortly after 12, M. de Persigny, dressed in his grand uniform, came galloping up to announce tbe approach of the Emperor. Kettle-drums and trumpets helped to make the scene exciting. Approaching the Arch of Triumph, the Emperor alighted from his carriage and mounted his borst. He was dressed in tbe complete uniform of a General of Division, and wore his grand cordon, star, and cross of the Legion of Honour, as also the military medal of which he is the founder. As he advanced slowly along the lines, the troops, with their shakos on their bayonets, presented arms. Rockets and tho cannon of the luvalides

•nnonuced bis entry into Paris. It wts ab«m * quarter to 1 o'clock when the carttge issued front beneath tlie TriuropLal Arch, and made its ap* pearaoce in the Champ Elysees. It was preceded by the eatalry of the National Guard, the Lancers, and Dragoons, and was followed by a mast numerous and gorgeous 6taff of general officers, and an escort of Carabiniers and Cuirassiers. Ther houses oo both sides were crowded with spectators ; several vrere adorned with tricotourad flag* and s reamers. He entered the grand gait «f the Taileries, which faces the Place de la Concorde, and as he approached the Palace the shouting was redoubled, and the cannon again fired a> salute. The terraces of the garden were full of spectators. He alighted at the entrance, and thr instant he trod the ground under the portico, tht tricolour flag was hoisted from the dome of the/ central pavilion. He ascended the grand staircase, where he was met by the members of hi* family. Having received their congratulation!, and those of his friends, he made his appearsnca on the central balcony looking to the garden, where his presence elicited another sboor. Louis Napoleon was accpmpauied by bis uncle Jerome, the Princess Mathilde, and several other ladies. On the balcony to his left came forward Abd-el-Kader and bis suite, dressed entirely in white, and who appeared to look with the greatest admiration at the scene underneath. The crowd was very dense, and over their beads floated many banners belonging to the different corporations I and trades. Round another batmer pressed 200 or 300 old soldiers, forming "La SocieiG de* debris de TArroee Imperiale," who were received by the crowd with every mark of respect. The Emperor, after acknowledging the acclamations of the people, and the reception be had experienced, by repeated salutations, withdrew from the window, and proceeded to the front balcony, facing the Carousel, where a similar exchange of congratulations took place. The modifications to be made in the Constitution of 52 will it is said, be very slight, littlt more than mailers of form, so as to suit it to the new order of tbings ; and these modifications will not be made by the Senate, but be left by that body to the judgment of the Emperor himself. Tbe ballad singers are, with characteristic foresight turning to account the advent of the Empire. The poets ot the Faubourgs are putting forth their inspirations rapidly and abundantly. It is usually the practice of these gentry to select the topics that are most popular, and if this be the case in the present instance, the public feeling inclines decidedly in favour of peace, and the benefits that are its consequences. One sheet, containing seven songs, is at this moment circulating largely iv the Faubourgs, and is bought up eagerly. It has for title, " V Empire cest la Paix," fend is adorned with a rudely engraved portrait of Louis Napoleon, with an Imperial crown suspended over his head, and surmounted with an eagle. As a sample of these short lyrics, we take tbe fol'owing. to the air of Dv Format LMi6— '• La nation a re'tabli I'Empire Fiere & bon droit dun pans* sans pareil, Tout se ranitne et revit et respire Sous les rayons de cc nouveau soleil ; ! Le peuple ea6n, qu'un juste amour entraine, Donne a celui gui fink son tourment Dv grand martyr mourant & Ste H6l6ne ! Rejouis-toi, France, rejouis-toi, L'Jimpire a dit — la Paix est avec moi ! " It is considered almost certain tbst Prince Napoleon (Jerome) will be named Viceroy of Algiers. The announcement of the intention of the British Government to propose an addition of men to tbe Navy appears to have directed the attentionof the Constitutionucl to tbe whole of tbe efforts which are making iv England to render the navy effi ient as a means of defence against invasioo, and for tbe maintenance of that maritime supremacy to which she has hitherto owed much of her security and prosperity. Tbe Constitutionncl, without attributing the naval preparations in England to any recent events on tbe Continent, or any well-grounded apprehension of invasion in consequence of the change that has taken placa iv this country, does not, nevertheless, attempt to conceal its dissatisfaction. It professes, however, to believe ibat, let the English do what they may to increase their navy, they will not be able to check the spirit of maritime enterprise that is developing itself in France, and must expect to divide with her the supremacy which they bay* bitherty enjoyed exclusively. It is now stated that the President's marriage will take place, uot in the month of Jauuary, as supposed, but in tbe month of May. 1 Amongst the on diif is a report that tfaa I Emperor of Russia has written an autograph let- \ ter to Louis Napoleon, the purport of which is understood to be not unfriendly, and which contains allusions to tbe treaties of 1815, with a view to their maintenance. One of the many rumours respecting the opinions of the Emperor is, that be has • strong leaning towards Free-trade: and the negotiations with England for a modification of tbe tariffs are said to be in so advanced a state that they wilKbe made public in a few weeks. The following important paragraph in the Monitcur de VArmie, shows the true nature of the much vaunted reduction in the army : — ".Our readers, familiar with the natural movement of tbe calling out and discharge of tbe annual contingents, will understand perfectly well bow tbe Government may bring about a " budgetary" reduction in the numbers of the effective of the army without disorganising its cadres or materially affecting its strength. For this purpose all that is requisite is to advance the period for discharging those men whose time is nearly out, and to postpone the embodiment of tbt new recruits. They will only see, therefore, in the measure just prescribed, an operation of wise economy, which takes from tha army none of its real resources, since both the men sent to tbtir homes by anticipation, and those whose call to active service is delayed, remain constantly available and ready to march in case of need, their names being still upon tbe rolls of tbt army." , . , _ . . It haa been stated at tbt Palais de Justice that the Procureurof the Republic, or, as we now call him, of tbt Empire, has received instructions to commence a prosecution in the case of Mr. Bower, tbe relations of Mr. Morton having made an application to tbt Government on this subject.