herents cried ‘Vive |’Empereur!? and the soldiers
were called on to follow his standard, but they
refused. ;

Louis then planted his Imperial flag by the Column
of Napoleon, for it was yet early morning, and there
were but few people moving in the streets; however,
he was quickly surrounded by the soldiers who mad
him and his two companions prisoners.

When the Prince was tried for this offence he was
of course found guilty and sentenced to life-long im-
prisonment in a French fortress; Count Montholon
was doomed to twenty years’ imprisonment, and the

other offender to transportation.

However bitter might be his disappointment,
however hard his sentence, Louis Napoleon kept
all such feelings hidden. When he was taken
to two dreary rooms in the fortress of Ham, in
Picardy, he declared that the knowledge that he was
breathing French air was a sufficient consolation,
and he employed his solitude in writing and other
amusements,

In some way he found means to communicate

“with his friends, but four years passed without any

change in his condition.

In 1845 he begged leave to go to the bedside of
his father in Florence, promising on his word of
honour’ to return to his prison; but he was refused,
and then his desire to pay this visit caused him to
plan an escape. His valet obtained a pair of sabots
and a smockfrock, and the Prince assumed the dress
of a workman, and he safely gained the Belgian
frontier and took ship for England.

Having lost their prisoner, the If ench Government
used their influence to prevent his obtaining the
necessary passports for a journey to his dying father,
so that the much-desired visit was never paid.

The Prince remained in England for nearly two
years, staying sometimes in London and sometimes
at a place near Sevenoaks, which he had taken while
he waited to see how things went on in France.

Then came the overthrow of Louis Philippe in
February, 1848; the barricaded streets of Paris, the
flight of the king to England, and the return of
Louis Napoleon to Paris.

When Louis Napoleon was elected President of
the new Republic he had immense difficulties to con-
tend with, but with great prudence and tact he showed
his desire to promote the glory and prosperity. of
France, and so he won favour among the people.

At length, finding that it was not possible to rule
his country as a Republic, he called upon the nation
to restore the Empire, and this measure was approved
by a large majority of votes. As soon as the Imperial
system was established, Louis Napoleon lost no op-
portunity of encouraging and promoting public works,
and commerce gradually revived.

On the 22nd January, 1853, the Emperor an-
nounced to the Senate his proposed marriage with
the Countess Eugénie de Theba, a Spanish lady of
noble birth, and on the 29th of the same month the
ceremony took place at Notre Dame, amidst general
rejoicing.

For. upwards of eighteen years Louis Napoleon
ruled as Emperor, during which time he raised
France to a high. position, and made Paris the most
attractive city in the world.

which resulted in a declaration of war.

 

  

But in the height of his prosperity came the hostile
feeling between the French and German nations,
It is said
that by this act Louis Napoleon wrecked his own
fortune, and that patience and tact would have
arranged difficulties ; others maintain that the Eim-
peror was forced to yield to the warlike impulse of
his people. However this may be, he departed for
the seat of war at the head of his army, taking with
him his young son the Prince Imperial. As is well
remembered, the French army was outnumbered,
Louis Napoleon yielded himself a prisoner to the
King of Prussia, and the Empress and Prince
Imperial took refuge in England, when a Republic
was once more declared in Paris.

In 1871 a treaty of peace was concluded, and the
Emperor being released came once more to the land
where in earlier years he had been an exil:, and
upon the 9th January, 1873, he died in his retired
home at Chislehurst, still faithful in the love that he
bore to France. :

OLD AND YOUNG; or, NOW AND
THEN.
TUE CHILDREN.
SONTHLY dance our joyous eyes,
Watching for our cherished ‘ Prize ;?
Gaily fly our streaming locks,
Rushing for our ‘ Chatterbox.’

 

See, the Newsman in the walk,
Broken off his play or talk,

Rushing—racing—now we meet him,
Scantly do we care to greet him.

Who the first will gain the ‘ Prize’

And run it through with greedy eyes ?
That for you and this for me—

But all at once we want to see.

What the tales—and what the prints—
We hardly heed the poor man’s hints

That we should take the papers there,
His fout-sore, weary steps to spare.

THE GRANNIE.

‘Lucky children are you all

Such lovely books your own to eail!
Nothing of the sort had we,—

No such pictures could we see-—
No such tales, and verse, and song

When we, who now are old, were young !

A few dry books were all we had,
The pictures few, and oh, so bad!
‘Yo you, my children, much is given,
And much will be required by Heaven.
Then pray and strive with all your might
Your books may help you to do right.

And sometimes ask a blessing too,
For those who thus have toiled for you;

Who’ve spent their time, and pains, and thought,
That you may be amused or taught.

And now, you sprite with dancing. locks,
Come, shew your Grannie “ Chatterbox.

J. E. C.F.

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