Louis Napoleon and His Times; With Notices of His Writings a Memoir of the Bonaparte Family and a Sketch of French History (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 Excerpt: ...voyage to the United States. Seven only appeared--Colonel Vaudrey, Parquin, De Bruc, Laity, De Querelles, De Gricourt, and Madame Gordon. The trial was one of extraordinary interest. The rank of the accused, most of them being military men; the glorious past days of some; the youth and spirit of the others; the ardent sympathy in favor of the revolt--all conspired to render the spectacle impressive. The demeanor of the prisoners corresponded with the interest they excited. Parquin expressed freely the attachment he bore to the memory of the Emperor and to his family. Madame Gordon was endowed with so much beauty and fiery eloquence that she won the sympathy of all. Querelles, De Gricourt and De Bruc sustained their examination almost with exultation. Colonel Vaudrey maintained a firmness and dignity becoming his high reputation. But none of the prisoners excited stronger interest than Lieutenant Laity. His countenance was serious and earnest. In throwing himself into an enterprise in which there was nothing but danger on all hands, he had felt that TBIAL OF THE PRISONERS AT STRASBOURG. 209 he had given pledges to death. Beaten, he refused to defend himself, and was only prevailed on to do so by being.informed how far such a determination was essential to the safety of his companions in misfortune. In the presence of the judges he was calm and indomitable: he expressed himself nobly, without art or effort, and concisely like a soldier. "I am a republican, (said he, ) and I followed Louis Napoleon only because I found in him democratic opinions." The depositions of the witnesses gave occasion to various incidents that added to the impression produced by the whole affair. Colonel Talliandier having related, that in arresting Commandant Parquin, he had...