MATCK TWAIN" "INTERVIEWING" NAPOLEON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 2 March 1871, Page 7

MARK TWAIN" "INTERVIEWING" NAPOLEON.

(From the '"Buffalo Express.'')

A remarkable feature of the present European war is the extraordinary candour of tho prominent persons who have been engaged in it. From Bismarr-k to Napoleon, from Baziine to William, the dignitaries have manifested a miraculous alacrity in the frank avowal of their intentions, plans, and projects, and have seemed h applet when making a clean breast of it to some newspaper correspondent. As a fail* illustration of their amiable candour, I have condensed tho following specimen from the New York " Floral il " correspondent' a recent interview with Napoleon :—: —

[Cabl ]3yxq.]

As T was ushered into the reception room vt Wilhehnshohe, tho Emperor rose (from a "luxurious fauteuil," of couise) and advanced to welcome me with extended hand and an air of extreme gratification that j)ut mo perfectly at ease.

"Bung 7/100, sire," said I, guing his hand a cordial shake. With the exquisite tact of a practical courtier. His Majesty teizod the occasion to ]v,ty me (and my countrymen) one of hin neatest compliments. PIo sniM, " Porlinps we had better conduct our conversion in English. Tho fact is, yon speak French with an accent that roaUv shames us Parisians. I've often remarked this trait in accomplished Americans, nnrl wondered at it." The Emperor's remark was so unexpectedly flattering that it took my breath away for a moment, but, under cover of a profound bow, I recovered my fluency, and observed : " Such a compliment from your Majesty, in happier days, would have brought the entire American nobility to your feet." My indirect allusion to his misfortunes affected his Majesty profoundly. The tears that clips -d each other silently down his majestic and imperial nose, and dripped in imperial sorrow from tho waxed ends of his moustache, mi'rht h.nve moved a heart of stone, with a Hi lie assistance.

Surely, thought I, tho Emperor who can thus wpop at his own calamities cannot bo utterly heartless.

When the Emperor had recovered his composure, and had his nose blowed by the proper officer, I opened the conversation in a way that I thought least likely to offend his delicacy. I told him it was currently reported that he had feathered his nest pretty well while Ernpei'ov, and I should take it as a special favour if he would tell me how lruch he had really stolen. In Ameiica, I told him, public men were expected to lay by something for a rainy day, and it would rather enhance our respect for him co be assured that he had exercised a like justifiable prudpnee. He replied, "My friend, I respect the ' Herald ' too much to deceive it. I have made a nice thing on the whole, and my chamberlain shall provide you with an inventory of all that I have gobbled." I asked him if he owned any property in Now York. " Well," said he, " I thought I owned the New York ' World ' a few months ago, but since the Sechn affair it has gone back on me." Your Majesty was accused of treachery at S?dan. Were you really a traitor? "Frankly," said he, "I think if T had tried I might have died at the head of my army instead of surrendering. If this be treason, make the most of it." I said, "Sire, we Americans are very frank and straightforward, especially in asking questions. Now, you needn't answer if yon feel the least bit squemish about it ; but I should like to know — I really would be pleased to know whether your father was a Bonaparte or a Dutch admiral, as some have intimated f

His Majesty, with great cheerfulness, replied, "So would I." The engaging freedom with which his Majesty unbosomed himself emboldened me to pursue my inquiries, and out conversation became almost confidential. I asked him if Eugenic was ever jealous. He replied " Not as Empress ; bub as Mrs. Napoleon I have sometimes thought sho whs inclined to ns a little too strict with me." I said, " Can you lay your hand on your heart, sire, and solemnly as.ure the ' Herald ' that you never gave her cause for jealousy V The Smperor (musingly) : " You may be

right?" At this point the Emperor seemed a good deal cut up, and sighed profoundly. Instead of answering my question explicitly, I was sorry to s".e. him put both hands in hh packets instead of on his heart.

I told him he might deem mo rather iuquisitive, but if he knew how deeply interested we Americans were in such scandlo, I was sure lie would gladly tell me all about the Bellanger intrigues referred to in his private correspondence, which was discovered at the Tuileries after the flight of thsEmpress. Ho said "my friend, I am deeply touched by your friendly solicitude about my aifairs. Your curiosity is tempered with an esquisite delicacy that disarms it of any power to offend. The correspondence I grieve to confess — " The announcement of a messenger from Berlin unhappily interrupted the Emperor's remarks on this point. I intended to have drawn Napoleon to speak about private and personal topics, and should have succeeded but for that interruption.

As I was about to withdraw, the Emperor embraced me with every mark of csteom, particularly on my shirt front which ho marked with Ids nose, in th.3 ardour of his country. Jf the mark is indelible — ami ib has that appearance — I am an historic shirt ahead.