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ment with the United States by which, if a Government favoured by the United States was set up, a return to mere anarchy should be prevented, and the right of the French to enjoy some sort of guarantee for the settlement of their claims should be recognized.

From the Spectator, 27th January. THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

THE Emperor of the French has opened the Session of his Chambers for the thirteenth time, and for the thirteenth time his speech is the political fact in the European history of the week. Its interest turns mainly upon three paragraphs, those relating

[From another article in the same paper, we to Mexico, to Italy, and to his pledge of one copy the French Emperor's address.]

day "crowning the edifice" by conceding liberty. Of course he says other things, THE French EMPEROR's address to his but they are so vague or so formal that they Legislature is generally an interesting study. add nothing to our knowledge either of his It is feebler and less clever this year than purposes or his position. He will "remain usual, but still it is interesting. The au- a stranger" to the internal disputes of Gergust author of these compositions has the art many, "provided French interests are not of touching all great questions of European directly engaged," but as he is the sole concern in a tone of frankness and gener- judge whether they are so or not, this osity, and noble sentiments in a Royal or amounts only to a pledge that France will Imperial speech are always pleasant and re- not interfere with Prussia until her Emfreshing. What, for example, can be more peror chooses, an assertion which makes a considerate or delicate than the manner in very small draft upon our political faith. which he handles the Americans? They He promises to restore the right of associa are reminded of a century of friendship, and tion for industrial purposes, but the liberty it is politely suggested that Imperialism is thus regained is to be "outside politics," only the Constitution of the United States and to be limited "by the guarantees which in a French Court dress. The Mexican ex- public order requires" i. e., by any guaranpedition is explained in a manner that tee the Emperor thinks expedient. He anought to disarm the most suspicious Yankee, nounces a reduction of the Army, but it has and it seems as if all had been a mistake been effected without a reduction of numabout the Latin race, as it was about the bers, and declares that a financial equiliproposed recognition of the South. Some- brium has been secured by the surplus of body did say something about the Latin revenue, for which surplus his Minister of race, which has evidently been misconstrued Finance only just ventures to hope on cona good deal; but the "American people" dition that everything goes right for two will now comprehend that "the expedition, more years. He suggests that France is in which we invited them to join, was not governed very much like the United States, opposed to their interests." France "prays "but does not attempt to explain wherein he sincerely for the prosperity of the great Re- finds the analogy between a Constitution public, and, just as a French Emperor is only which changes its Executive every four an American President in disguise, so Im- years, and leaves the entire legislative power perialism in Mexico has been founded "on to the representatives of the people, and a the will of the people." Mr. SEWARD very Constitution which was intended to make likely never swears. His talent lies chiefly the executive power hereditary, and which in the line of making other people swear. intrusts the initiative of legislation entirely But it is possible that some less courteous to the man who is to carry that legislation Anglo-Saxons in Washington and in New York, who are anxious about the MONROE doctrine, after reading all these high-minded expressions, and especially the one about the French praying for them, will feel inclined, in the language used in the School for Scandal by the friends of JOSEPH SURFACE, to observe," Damn your sentiments." However this may be, and whatever may be the turn the Mexican difficulty is taking, one thing is clear, that the French EMPEROR puts his sentiments neatly and well.

out. On all these subjects, Germany, finance, co-operation, and the Constitution, the Emperor's utterance is suggestive, without clearly instructing either his subjects or the world. No one, for example, could tell without knowing facts which the Emperor does not reveal whether his paragraph on Germany is a hint to Count von Bismark to go on in his course and prosper, or a menace that France would not bear a Union of Northern Germany against which its interests are directly engaged.

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Even on the three points we have excepted dle course, and the object of this part of the Emperor, as his wont is, gives the world his speech is simply to soothe Americans a riddle to read. What, for instance, is the into waiting until he can retreat with honmeaning of the sentence which says that our. He who three years ago spoke only of France has reason to rely on the scrupulous strengthening a branch of the Latin race to execution of the Treaty with Italy of the 15th resist Anglo-Saxon aggression, now anxiousSeptember, and on the indispensable main- ly repudiates any idea of hostility to the tenance of the power of the Holy Father?" Union. He recalls to the Americans "a Does it mean that Napoleon regards the noble page in the history of France," her temporal power as indispensable, or only assistance to the Republic in its great rebelthe spiritual; that he will put down internal lion, reminds them that he requested them to revolt in Rome, or suffer Italy to garrison take a part in reclaiming Mexican debts, the city, provided only the Pope is left spir- and almost implores them to recollect that itually independent? Is his dictum a threat"two nations equally jealous of their indeto the Revolution or a threat to the priests? pendence ought to avoid any step which Reading it by the light of the Emperor's would implicate their dignity and their character, we should believe the sentence honour." Is that an assurance or a menintended only to ward off opposition until ace? For a French Sovereign to speak the evacuation of Rome was complete, but of possible contingencies as implicating read by the facts in progress, by the re- French dignity and honour is a very eruiting for Rome going on in France, and serious thing, but then why these unusual the pressure employed in Florence to make professions of regard for the Union? It is Italy accept the Papal debt, we should be- true in a preceding paragraph Napoleon lieve it implied that while Napoleon will re- has affirmed that he is arranging with the tire, the Pope must remain independent Emperor Maximilian for the recall of his King of Rome. The maintenance of the army, but then their return must be effectPope's power is declared indispensable, but ed when it "will not compromise the innothing is said of the invisible means by terests which France went out to that diswhich it is to be maintained. tant land to defend." When is that? So with the Mexican declaration. The the interests to be defended include the reEmperor, we admit, is upon this point placed invigoration of the Latin race? Nothing is in a most difficult position. He made the clear from the speech, and according to singular blunder made by the Times and by the Yellow Book, which is always supposed the majority of English politicians, but not to explain the speech, the French Army is made by the people he rules. Careless of only to return from Mexico when the Presi principle and forgetting precedent, reject-dent of the Union has recognized the Mexiing the idea that freedom must conquer slavery, and overlooking his uncle's adage that twenty-five millions must beat fifteen if they can once get at them, he convinced himself that the South must break up the Union. Consequently he invaded Mexico, and placed his nominee on its throne. As his subjects, with the strange instinct which supplies to great populations the place of wisdom, had from the first foreseen, he erred in his first essential datum. The South did not break up the Union, but the Union broke up the South, and Napoleon finds himself compelled either to withdraw from a great undertaking visibly baffled and repulsed, or to accept a war with the oldest It is on the "crowning of the edifice' ally of France a war in which, if defeat- alone that the Emperor is partially explicit. ed, he risks his throne, and if successful, can He will not grant a responsible Ministry. gain nothing except financial embarrass- That system of government, always abhorment. Neither alternative seems to him en- rent to him, has not become more pleasant durable the former as fatal to the reputa- of late years, and he declares for the tenth tion for success which is essential to his per- time that "with one Chamber holding withsonal power, the latter as bringing him into di- in itself the fate of Ministers the Executive rect conflict with the wishes of all his peo- is without authority and without spirit," the ple. He strives therefore to find some mid-"one" being inserted either to avoid a di

can Empire, an act which he has refused to do, and which Congress has specifically forbidden him to perform. There is nothing in the speech inconsistent with that interpretation, and if it is correct the Americans will simply contrast the compliments offered them in words with the impossible proposal submitted in fact, and be less content than ever. All they obtain is a promise that at some time not specified, when a result they dislike has been accomplished, the Emperor will, if consistent with his honour, withdraw the troops through whom he has been able to accomplish it not a very definite or very satisfactory pledge.

all, both should have been prepared. No one who is at all conversant with the ordinary course of Parisian life we do not say familiar with its inner mysteries — ought to have been astonished at hearing that certain grandes dames of French society had sought for invitations to a masqued ball which was to be given by a distinguished leader of the demi-monde. We have had, in our own country, certain faint and partial indications of the same curiosity, revealed in an awkward and half-hesitating sort of way.. English great ladies once made an

order to catch a flying and furtive glance, not of the normal idols of those gay gardens, but of the mere scenic accessories to their attractions and triumphs. But as yet we have never heard that the matrons of English society have sought an introduction to the Lais of Brompton or the Phryne of May-fair, even under the decorous concealment of mask and domino. Nor has it yet been formally advertised here that the motive of so unusal a request was a desire to learn the arts and tactics by which the gilded youth—and, it might be added, the gilded age- of the country is subjected to the thrall of venal and meretricious beauty.

rect sarcasm upon the English Constitution, ers by an anouncement for which, after or from a sudden recollection of the part played by the Prussian Chamber of Peers. He believes that his system has worked well, that France, tranquil at home, is respected abroad, and, as he adds with singular audacity, is without political captives within or exiles beyond her frontiers. Are, then, the Duc d'Aumale, M. Louis Blanc, and the author of Labienus at liberty to return to France? Consequently nothing will be changed, but the Emperor, resolving to "improve the conditions of labour," will await the time when all France, being educated, shall abandon seductive theories, and all off-night for themselves at Cremorne, in who live by their daily toil, receiving increasing profits, "shall be firm supporters of a society which secures their well-being and their dignity." No one can complain of any obscurity in that apology for the Empire. Its central ideas are all expressed, and all expressed with truthful lucidity. The Emperor is to rule "with authority and spirit." There is to be no political freedom, no discussion even of "theories of government, which France for eighty years has sufficiently discussed." Intelligence and capital are still to remain disfranchised, but in return the labourer's condition is to be improved. "Bread to the cottage, justice to the palace," was the promise of the Venetian Ten, and Napoleon, if he changes the second, adheres to the first condition. His offer is also bread to the cottage, provided only that there is silence in the palace. It is for France to decide whether she accepts an offer which is not a small one, which if honestly made is capable of fulfillment, and which would pledge her Government to the best ad interim occupation it could possibly pursue. Only we would just remind her that education in the Emperor's mouth has hitherto meant only education through priests, and improvement in the condition of the labourer only a vast expenditure out of taxes which the labourer pays, that the first result of these works has been the reckless over-crowding of all towns, and that of these promises there is not one which liberty could not also secure.

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That such a rumour should be circulated and believed in France is to use the current slang-"highly suggestive." It suggests a contrast of the strongest, though it is far from a pleasing, kind between the society of to-day and the society of other days. It was long the special boast of the French that with them women enjoyed an influence which in no other part of the world was accorded to their sex, and that this influence was at least as much due to their mental as to their physical charms. The women of other nations may have been more beautiful. To the Frenchwomen was specially given the power of fascination; and it was the peculiar characteristic of her fascination that its exercise involved no discredit to the sense or the sensibility of the men who yielded to it. A power which showed itself as much in the brilliance of bons mots and repartee as in smiles and glances, a grace of language and expression which enhanced every grace of feature and of attitude, a logic which played in the form of epigram, and a self-respect which was set off rather than concealed by the maintenance of the most uniform cour tesy to others such were the arts and insignia of the empire which the most celebrated Frenchwomen, from the days of Maintenon and De Sévigné to those of

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of the roturier; the conflicts of science and theology — all these furnished materials for the tongues of the clever women, materials of which the clever women fully availed themselves. The final result was not, indeed, wholly satisfactory. How many a short sharp sarcasm, shot from the tongue of brilliant causeuses, rebounded on the gilded rooms wherein it first hurtled! How many a satire, sugared with compliment, at which rival beaux chuckled in delight, came back with its uncovered venom to the hearts of those whose admiration had first provoked it! How many a gibe of reckless truth, aimed at courts and nobles, distilled through laquais and waiting-maids into the streets of Paris, to whet the after-wrath of that fierce canaille! Many of those clever women had better been silent; many of those pungent epigrams had better been uusaid. Still, while the spirited talk went on, life was illumined by no common brilliance; and vice not only decked itself, but forgot itself, in the guise of intelligence and wit.

Madame Deffand and Madame Roland or those of Madame Recamier, exercised over the warriors, sages, and statesmen of France. The homage paid by the men to the brilliant women who charmed the society which they had helped to create may not always have been perfectly disinterested. The friendship of the women for their illustrious admirers may not always have been perfectly Platonic. There may have been some impropriety or, as our more Puritan friends would say, some sin in the intercourse of some of the most celebrated Frenchmen and Frenchwomen. Yet even this could not have been predicated of all. Madame de Sévigné's reputation comes out clear and spotless even from the foulest assault of wounded vanity and slighted love. We do not forget the comprehensive loves and the deliberate inconstancy of Ninon. But Ninon, corrupt as she may have been, was not venal. She did not ruin her lovers by her covetousness, and then receive their wives and sisters in her salons. She was courted by elegant and virtuous women, because she was the single and solitary instance as yet But what a change is it now! There are known of a woman possessing every grace drawing-rooms in Paris which are more and every charm save the grace and charm brilliant and gorgeous than any that De of virtue. Whatever may have been the Sévigné or Recamier ever satin. But their relations between the sexes in those days, brilliance and splendour are not of such it was at least free from grossness. The airy impalpabilities as genius or wit. They charms which attracted men to the Maison are solid, substantial, tangible. They are Rambouillet were not those of sense alone, the brilliance and the splendour, not of able or in a special degree. They were those of men and clever women, but of the upholconversation at once spirited, graceful, sterer, the mechanician, and the decorator. elegant, and vivacious. To an accom- There is gold, there is marble, there is lapis plished man there is perhaps no greater lazuli; there are pictures, statues, ormolusocial treat than to hear good French clocks; there are rich velvets and cloudspoken by an educated and clever French-like lace, and a blaze of amethysts, rubies, woman. In her hands a language of which and diamonds. There are trains of Impeboth the excellences and the defects eminent- rial dimensions and tiaras of Imperial brightly qualify it for the purposes of conversational ness. And in whose honour is all this grand combat becomes a weapon of dazzling fence. display? To whom is the court paid by Those delicate turns of phrase which imply this mob of sombre-clad and neatly-gloved so much more than they express fly like men of every age, from twenty to sixty? Parthian shafts, and the little commonplaces Who have taken the place of the great which may mean nothing do what the female leaders of society whose names have pawns do when manipulated by a clever added lustre to France? Strange as it chess-player-everything. And in the age may seem, their successors are secondwhen the empire of Frenchwomen rested rate or third-rate actresses, opera-dancers, upon their grace and power in conversa- and singers at public rooms and public gartion, there was ample matter to task their dens. We do not intend to undertake the remarkable talents. It was an age of new superfluous task of penning a moral diaideas. Government, religion, and philoso- tribe, or inveighing against the immorality phy; the administration of the kingdom of the age. Sermons there are, and will and the administration of the universe; the be, in abundance on so prolific and provokrights of kings to be obeyed by their people ing a theme. In every age actresses and and the right of the Creator to the adora- ballet-girls have had their admirers. In tion of his creatures; the claims of privi- every age, probably, they will continue to lege and the claims of prerogative; the have admirers. But what is worthy of note pretensions of rank and the pretensions is this. Formerly this admiration was of THIRD SERIES. LIVING AGE. VOL. XXXII. 1478.

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an esoteric kind. The worshippers adored | tives which impel Alcide to become the their divinities in secret. The temples of daily visitor of Mdlle. Gabrielle in the Rue the goddesses were, at any rate, not obtrud- d'Arcade, and her daily companion when ed on the public eye, nor in possession of riding in the Bois de Boulogne. Certainly the most open, public, and splendid streets. the subject is a very curious one. But does The cult, too, was confined to a narrower the solution of the problem quite justify circle. But now all this is changed; the the means taken to solve it? Might not fanes of the divinities are splendid and in enough be inferred from the antecedent the most splendid streets; the cult is open, history of those who are the subjects of it avowed, public. The worshippers are of to dispense with the necessity of a nearer every age, and are all equally indifferent to examination? Take a number of women secrecy. There is no restriction and no ex- of the lower classes from the different clusion, save on two grounds-those of provinces of France with no refinement, poverty and intelligence. There is a kind with a mere shred of education, and with of intellect admitted into this gorgeous cote- but small claim to what an English eye rie, but it is intellect in livery. The dra- would regard as beauty - but compensating matic author and the dramatic critic are for lack of knowledge, education, and renow as much appendages to the dramatic finement by a vivacity and a coquetry pecourtezan as her coachman and her femme de culiarly French. Take these women up to chambre. Where professional reputation Paris, tutor them as stage supernumeraries, depends on scenic effect, and scenic effect and parade before them the example of the depends upon the équivoque put into the arts of the more successful Lorettes. The actress's mouth, and the applause with rest may be imagined. From these general which their delivery is received, the man premises it is not difficult to conjecture the who concocts the équivoque and the man product obtained; to conceive that manner who criticises their delivery become equally on which jeunes gens dote, a manner made objects of attention to the actress who is up of impudence and grimace; that reparlooking out for a clientèle. Saving these tee which mainly consists of a new slang necessary exceptions, these assemblies are hardly known two miles beyond the Madecomprised of rich old men anxious to dissi- line; those doubles entendres of which perpate the money which they have made, and haps memory is less the parent than instinct, rich young men as anxious to dissipate the and that flattery which is always coarse and wealth which they have inherited. And always venal. It would be erroneous to say now we hear that the wives and sisters of that we have here given a complete picture these men seek admission to these Paphian of the class which certain leaders of Paris fashion wish to study. There are, in the original, traits and features which we could not describe, and which it is unnecessary for us to attempt to describe, as they are portrayed in the pages of the satirist who has immortalized the vices of the most corrupt city at its most corrupt era. Juvenal will supply what is wanting to our imperfect delineation. English ladies may read him in the vigorous paraphrases of Dryden and Gifford; while their French contemporaries may arrive at a livelier conception of what we dare not express, if only they stay till the supper crowns the festal scene of the masqued ball. If they outstay this, they will have learned a lesson the value of which we leave it for themselves to compute.

halls.

It is, indeed, not an unnatural, though it is far from a decent, curiosity which prompts ladies entitled to the reputation of virtue to examine something of the life and domestic economy of those ladies whose very existence presupposes an entire repudiation of virtue. The married women naturally desire to know something of the manners and mein and language of the rivals whose arts have diverted their own husbands' treasures into alien and obnoxious channels. When a wife hears that her husband has, at one magnificent stroke on the Bourse, carried off one or two millions of francs, she is curious to ascertain the process by which no inconsiderable proportion of these winnings has been "affected" to the payment of Madlle. Théodorine's debts or to the purchase of Madlle. Valentine's brougham. And the anxious mother, who has long dreamed of the ceremony which might unite the fortunes of her dear Alcide with the dot of her opulent neighbour's daughter, is tortured between the misery of frustrated hopes and curiosity to understand the mo

It is idle to say that curiosity of this kind is harmless because it is confined to a few. Only a few, indeed, may have contemplated the extreme step of being present at the Saturnalia of the démi-mondé. But how many others have thought of them and talked of them? To how many leaders of society are the doings of these women the

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