Paris, and which doubtless arose from a consciousness of his critical situation, and the hollow ground whereon he trod. There was ill-timed languor in his general look he smiled not, and took but little notice of any surrounding object. He appeared in fact loaded with some presentiment, confined however to himself; for of all possible events, his approaching and sudden fate was last, I believe, in the contemplation of any person amongst that prodigious assembly. I apprehend the intelligence of Murat's defeat in Italy had reached him about that time.

Two marshals rode on each side of Napoleon's coach, and his three brothers occupied the next: I thought these men all appeared cheerful; at any rate, no evil presentiments were visible in their countenances. After the Emperor had passed, my interest diminished. I was absorbed by reflection, and my mind was painfully diverted to the probable result of the impending contest, which would most likely plunge into a gory and crowded grave thousands of the gay and sparkling warriors who, full of the principle of life and activity, had that moment passed before me.

The crowds in the Champ de Mars; the firing of the artillery; the spirited bustle of the entire scene; and the return of the same cortage after the Constitution had been proclaimed,— left me in a state of absolute languor-every fresh idea supplanting its predecessor in my mind; and when I returned to my hotel, it required more than a single bottle of Château Margot to restore the serenity of my over-excited nerves.

The rejoicings which followed the promulgation of the Constitution were in a style of which I had no previous conception. I have already observed, and every person who has been much on the continent will bear me out in the remark, that no people are so very adroit at embellishment as the French. Our carpenters, paperhangers, &c., know no more about Parisian embellishments than our plain cooks do of the hundred and twenty-six modes of dressing a fresh egg, whereof every French cuisinier is perfectly master.

Many temporary stands had been erected in the Champs d'Elysée, whence to toss out all species of provisions to the populace. Hams, turkeys, sausages, &c. &c. were to be had in abundance by scrambling for them. Twenty fountains of wine were set playing into the jars, cups, and pails of all who choose to adventure getting near them. A number of temporary theatres were constructed, and games started throughout the green. Quadrilles and waltzes were practised every where around all species of music-singing-juggling-in fine, eve

:

ry thing that could stamp the period of the Emperor's depar ture on the minds of the people, were ordered to be put in requisition; and a scene of enjoyment ensued which, notwithstanding the bustle necessarily attendant, was conducted with the politeness and decorum of a drawing-room; with much more, indeed, than prevails at most of our public assemblies. No pick-pockets were heard of; no disputes of any description arose; the very lowest orders of the French canaille appear on such occasions cleanly dressed, and their very nature renders them polite and courteous to each other. They make way with respect for any woman, even from a duchess to a beggar-woman.

Stretching across the whole of the Place Louis Quinze, was a transparent painting of Napoleon's return from Elba,—the mimic ship being of equal dimensions with the real one. poleon appeared on the deck, and the entire effect was most impressive.

The rejoicings concluded with a display of fire-works,-a species of entertainment, by-the-by, wherein I never delighted. It commenced with a flight of five thousand rockets, of various colours, and was terminated by the ascent of a balloon loaded with every species of fire-work, which, bursting high in the air, illuminated with overpowering blaze the whole atmosphere. By midnight, all, like an "unsubstantial pageant," had faded, leaving the ill-starred Emperor to pursue his route to partial victory, final defeat, and ruin.*

. One remark in conclusion:-it was really extraordinary to witness the political apathy wherein the entire population, save

*I have read with pleasure many parts of " Napoleon's Second Reign," by Mr. Hobhouse. Though I do not coincide with that gentleman in all his views of the subject, (differing from him in toto as to some,) I admit the justice of a great portion of his observations, and consider the work, on the whole, as a very clever performance. In several matters of description and anecdote, he has anticipated me; and I really think has treated them with as much accuracy, and in a much more comprehensive manner, than I should, or perhaps could have done. Mine in fact is but a sketch :-his a history. In some matters of fact he appears to have been imperfectly informed: but they are not errors of a sufficiently important nature to involve any charge of general inaccuracy. I myself kept an ample diary of the events of the Hundred Days, (of so much of them at least as I spent in Paris,) and until the re-entry of Louis; and in fact subsequently, though less regularly. From these documents, I have extracted what I now publish; but the whole may perhaps hereafter appear in its original shape.

I cannot but express my regret that Mr. Hobhouse did not remain in Paris until after Napoleon's return from Belgium, when there was a far wider and fairer field presented for the exercise of his pen. I really conceive it will be a loss to literature if he does not recur to that period (materials cannot be wanting;) take up his own work where he finished, and continue it until the evacuation of Paris by the allied forces. The events of that interval are richly worth recording; and it would fill up what is, as yet, nearly a blank in the history of Europe.

the military, was bound. Scarce a single expression or indication of party feeling escaped in any direction. All seemed bent on pleasure, and on pleasure alone; careless whether the opportunity for its indulgence were afforded them by Napoleon or Louis-by preparations for peace or war-by the esta blishment of despotism or liberty. They were, I sincerely believe, absolutely weary of politics, and inclined to view any suggestion of that nature with emotions of bitterness. At all times, indeed, the Parisians prefer pleasure to serious speculation; and the wisest king of France will ever be that one who contrives to keep his good citizens "constantly amused."

LAST DAYS OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.

Rejoicings on Napoleon's victory over Blucher and surprise of Lord Wellington -Bulletin issued at St. Cloud-Budget of news communicated by a French cockney-Author's alarm on account of his family-Proposes quitting ParisInformation of Henry Thevenot: confirmed at Lafitte's-Napoleon's return from Waterloo-The author's sources of intelligence-His visits to the Chamber of Deputies-Garat, Minister of Justice at the period of Louis's decapitation-The Rousseau MSS. and their peculiar utility to the author-Fouché's treachery-Vacillating plan to inform Napoleon thereof, through Count Thibaudeau-Observations on the vicissitudes and political extinction of Bona

parte.

THE Emperor having left Paris to take command of the army in Belgium, the garrison left in that city was necessarily very inconsiderable. It was the universal belief, that the allies would be surprised by a simultaneous attack, and the event warranted this supposition. The result was-a double defeat of Blucher; the separation of the Prussian and British armies; the retreat of Lord Wellington upon Brussels; the march of Grouchy upon that city; and the advance of Napoleon. The impatience of the Parisians for news may be easily conceived; nor were they kept long in suspense. Meanwhile, there ran through the whole mass of society a suspicion that treachery was on foot, but nobody could guess in what shape it would explode. The assassination of Napoleon was certainly regarded as a thing in contemplation, and the disaffectation of sundry general officers publicly discussed at the Palais Royal; but no names were mentioned except Fouché's.

On Sunday, the 18th of June, at day-break, I was roused by the noise of artillery. I rose and instantly sallied out to inquire the cause nobody could at the moment inform me ; but it was soon announced that it was public rejoicings on account of a great victory gained by Napoleon over the Prussians, commanded by Blucher, and the English, by the Duke of Wellington that the allies had been partly surprised, and were in rapid retreat, followed by the Emperor and flanked by Grouchy: that a lancer had arrived as courtier, and given many details-one of which was that our light dragoons, under Lord Anglesea, had been completely destroyed.

I immediately determined to quit Paris for the day. It was Sunday: every body was a-foot, the drums were beating in all directions, and it was impossible to say how the canaille might, in exultation at the victory, be disposed to act by the English in Paris. We therefore set out early and breakfasted at St. Cloud: the report of the victory had reached that village, but I perceived no indication of any great feeling on the subject. We adjourned to Bagatelle, in the very pretty gardens of which we sauntered about till dinner-time.

This victory did not surprise me; for when I saw the magnificent array of troops on the occasion of the Promulgation, I had adopted the unmilitary idea that they must be invincible. As yet we had heard no certain particulars: about eleven o'clock, however, printed bulletins were liberally distributed, announcing an unexpected attack on the Prussian and English armies with the purpose of dividing them, which purpose was stated to be fully accomplished; the Duke of Brunswick killed; the Prince of Orange wounded; two Scotch regiments broken and sabred; Lord Wellington in full retreat; Blucher's army absolutely ruined; and the Emperor in full march for Brussels, where the Belgian army would join the French, and march unitedly for Berlin. The day was rather drizzling: we took shelter in the grotto, and were there joined by some Parisian shopkeeper and his family, who had come out from the capital for their recreation. This man told us a hundred incidents, which were circulated in Paris with relation to the battle. Among other things, it was said, that if the Emperor's generals did their duty, the campaign might be already considered over, since every man in France and Belgium would rise in favour of the Emperor. He told us news had arrived, that the Austrians were to be neutral, and that the Russians durst advance no further; that the King of Prussia would be dethroned, and that it was generally believed, Lord Wellington would either be dead or in the Castle of Vincennes by Wednesday morning! This budget of intelligence our informant communicated himself in a very neutral way, and without betraying the slightest symptom either of gratification or the reverse; and as it was impossible to doubt the main point (the defeat,) I really began to think all was lost, and that it was high time to consider how we should get out of France forthwith; more particularly as the Emperor's absence from Paris would, by leaving it at the mercy of the populace, render that city no longer a secure residence for the subjects of a hostile kingdom. How singular was the fact, that, at the very moment I was receiving this news,-at the very instant when I conVOL. II.

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