fx. | INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR. 711
L showed that in England we had much machinery standing
dle in consequence of the want of workmen at the present
Ime; and in order to allay his fears of an inundation of
British products, to throw his own people out of work, I
®xplained that there was not an ounce of our productions
Which was not already bespoken, and that it would take a
long time to increase largely our investment of capital,
whilst it was impossible to procure any considerable addition
0 our labourers. On my giving him a description of the
teforms effected by Sir Robert Peel, and the great reverence
0 which his name is held, he said, ‘I am charmed and
Battered at the idea of performing a similar work in my
“ountry ; but, he added, “it is very difficult in France
bo make reforms: we make revolutions in France, not
reforms.’
“The Emperor is short in stature and very undignified ;
L never saw a person with fewer heroic traits in his appear-Wc
 and manner. But there is nothing harsh or even cold
n the expression of his countenance. His eye is not plea-‘ant
 at first, but it warms and moistens with conversation,
and gives you the impression that he is capable of generous
motions.

1869.
Abr. BS.

“The approach to the Palace of Saint Cloud was thronged
With military, both horse and foot. I entered the building,
and passed through an avenue of liveried lacqueys in the
hall, from which I ascended the grand staircase, guarded
3% the top by sentries, and I passed through a series of
‘partments hung with gorgeous tapestry, each room being
W charge of servants higher in rank as they come nearer to
the person of the Sovereign. As I surveyed this gorgeous
Spectacle, I found my thoughts busy with the recollection
of a very different scene which I had looked upon & few
Bonthg before at Washington, when I was the guest of the
President of the United States, a plain man in a black suit,