of the Caesar of modern history.



MARSHAL NEY AND WELLINGTON


As an illustration of the false impressions which are always disseminated
concerning public men, I must record the following fact: - The Duke
of Wellington was accused of being implicated in the military murder
of Ney. Now, so far from this being the truth, I know positively that
the Duke of Wellington used every endeavour to prevent this national
disgrace; but the Church party, ever crafty and ever ready to profit
by the weakness and passions of humanity, supported the King in his
moments of excited revenge. It is a lamentable fact, but no less historical
truth, that the Roman Catholic Church has ever sought to make the graves
of its enemies the foundations of its power. The Duke of Wellington
was never able to approach the King or use his influence to save Marshal
Ney's life; but everything he could do was done, in order to accomplish
his benevolent views. I repeat, the influence of the ultra-montane party
triumphed over the Christian humanity of the illustrious Duke.


THE PALAIS ROYAL AFTER THE RESTORATION


France has often been called the centre of European fashion and gaiety;
and the Palais Royal, at the period to which I refer, might be called
the very heart of French dissipation. It was a theatre in which all
the great actors of fashion of all nations met to play their parts: