THE ESCAPE OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 765, 19 January 1871, Page 3

THE ESCAPE OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE.

The following particulars of the Empress Eugenie's escape from France to England in an English gentleman's yacht are extracted from a private letter received by tho mail, shown to the " Argus " by Dr Wooldridge, of South Yarra. The letter was dated in England, September 17th:—"Our family have had their small share in the general excitement. My cousin, Sir John Burgoyne, was the happy means of saving the poor Empress, who, after persecutions innumerable, got to Danville, near Trouville, in an open cart. John was waiting with his yacht at the latter place to bring Lady Burgoyne over (she, as you know, had been travelling in Switzerland), and they were to sail on the next day (Tuesday), the Gth September. On the morning of Monday a gentleman called, snd said he wished to speak to Sir John. When he entered he said, 'I speak to an English gentleman; if you cannot accede to my request, give me your word to keep what I ask you a secret.' John said ' Yes.' Then the other told him that the Empress Eugenie was then in Trouville, having escaped, without any luggage, quite alone, in an open marketcart, in which she had spent two days and a night—that the place was swarmiug with Republican spies, and that she did not know how to get out of the country—would Sir John take her? Of course he gave an affirmative answer, and she went on board at once, but Sir John was too wise to hurry his departure. He did not sail till the hour originally fixed, and then, with the British ensign Hying, and in charge of a French pilot, the little 45 ton cutter Gazelle started on her voyage. For thirty miles they had a fair wind, and then they were caught in a tremendous storm, but, notwithstanding, the little yacht (though large ships were lost in numbers) happily weathered the gale, and arrived safely, after passing two days and nights at sea, at Ryde."