Louis Napoleon in the Fortress of Ham.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 86, 24 January 1885, Page 4

Louis Napoleon in the Fortress of Ham.

" I found him little changed, although he had been imprisoned five years, and very much pleased to see an old friend fresh from tho outer world, and that world London. As I had only half a day allowed me for tho interview, he confessed that although his confidence and courage remained unabated, he was weary of his prison, from which ho saw no chance of escaping, as he knew that the French Government gave him opportunities of doing so that they might shoot him in the act. lie stated that a deputation had arrived from Ecuador offering him the Presidency of that Republic if Louis Philippe would release him, and in that case he would give the King his parole never to return to Europe. He had, therefore, pent for me as a supporter and friend ©f Sir 11. Peel, at that time our Prime Minister, to urge Sir Robert to intercede with Louib Philippe to comply with his wishes, promising every possible guarantee for his good faith. The Prince was full of a plan for a new canal in Nicaragua, that promised every kind of advantage to' British commerce. As a precedent for English oiHcial interference, I was to quote Earl Grey's in favour of Prince Polignac's release in IS3O I assured the Prince that I would do my best, but added that Lord Aberdeen was our Foreign Secretary, and that there was nothing of romance in his character. At this time Prince Louis Mas deeply engaged in writing the history of artillery, and he took an hour in making me explain the meaning of several technical words in English, which he wished translated. He gave me a full account of his failure at Boulogne, which he declared was entirely owing to the sudden illness of the officer of the day whom he had secured, and who was to have given up the barracks at once. The soldiers had mostly been gained, and the prestige of his name in the French army was universal. To prove this, ho assured me that the cavalry escort of lancers who accompanied him to Ham mado him constant gestures of sympathy on the road. He then said, ' You see the sentry under my window. Ido not know whether he is one of mine or not ; if he is he will cross his arms, if not he will do nothing when I make a sign.' Ho went to the window and stroked his moustache, but there was no responso until three were relieved, when the soldier answered by crossing his arms over his musket. Tho Prince then said, 1 You see that my partisans are unknown to mo, and so am Ito them. My powor is in an immortal namo, and in that only ; but I have waited long enough, and cannot endure imprisonment any longer.'" — " Memoirs of an ex-Minisfcer, by the Earl of Malmesbury."