FRANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 125, 28 May 1853, Page 10

FRANCE.

THE EMPEKOX'S MAEEIAGE,

We briefly announced last Aveek the marriage of the Emperor. By the arrival of the " Chetah," Ave are put in possession of English papers Avhich" contain the following particulars of this event. In announcing his intention to the Senate, the Emperor thus addressed that body :—

" I yield to the wish so often manifested by the country in coming to announce to you my marriage. " The alliance which I contract is not in accord with the traditions of ancient policy, and therein is its advantage. France, by its successive revolutions, has for ever abruptly separated from the rest of Europe. Every wise Government ought to try to make it-re-enter in the pale of the old Monarchies. But this result will be more surely attained by a straightforward and frank policy, by loyalty in conduct, than by royal alliances, Avhich create a false security, and often substitute family interests for those of the nation. Moreover, the example of the past has left in the mind of the people superstitious feelings. Ithasjnotbeenforgottenthat for 70 years foreign Princesses have not mounted the Throne but to behold their race dispossessed and proscribed by Avar or by revolution. One Avoman alone seemed to bring happiness, and to live more than the others in the memory of the people—and that woman, the modest and good wife of General Bonaparte, was not the issue of Koyal blood. It must, however, be admitted that in 1810 the marriage of Napoleon I. with Marie Louise Avas a great event. It was a pledge for the future, a real satisfaction to the national pride, as the ancient and illustrious branch of the house of Austria, who had been so long at Avar with us, was seen to solicit the alliance of the elected chief of a new empire. Under the last reign, on the contrary, the amour propre of the country had to suffer, Avhen the heir to the Crown solicited fruitlessly during several years, a princely alliance, to obtain it only, in a secondary rank and in a different religion.

" When in presence of old Europe one is borne on by the force of a neAV principle to the height of ancient dynasties, it is not by giving an ancient character to one's escutcheon (en* viellissant son blason), and by seeking to introduce oneself at all costs into a family, that one is accepted. It is rather by ever remembering one's origin, by preserving one's own character, and by adopting frankly in presence of Europe the position of " parvenu"—a glorious title when one obtains it by the free suffrages of a great people. Thus, obliged to depart from precedents followed to the present day, my marriage became a private affair,and there remained only the choice of the person. " She who has been the object of my preference is of distinguished birth. French iu heart, by education, by the recollection of the blood shed by her father in the cause of the empire, she has, as a Spaniard, tbe advantage

of not having in France a family to whom it might be necessary to give honours and fortune. Endowed with all the qualities of the mind, she will be the ornament of the throne ; in the day of danger she would be one of its courageous supporters. A Catholic, she will address to heaven the same prayers with me for the happiness of France. In fine, by her grace and her goodness she will, I have the firm hope, endeaA'our to revive in the same position the virtues of the Empress Josephine.

" I come, then, Messieurs, to announce to France that I have preferred the woman Avhom I love and whom I respect, to one, who is unknown, and whose alliance would have had advantages mixed with sacrifices. Without disdaining any one I yet yield to my inclinations, but after having.taken counsel from my reason and my convictions. In fine by placing the independence, the qualities of the heart, domestic happiness, above dynastic prejudices and the calculations of ambition, I. shall not be less strong because I shall be more free. "Soon proceeding to Notre Dame I shall present the Empress to the people and to the army; the confidence they have in me assures me of their sympathy, and you, Messieurs, on learning better to appreciate her whom I have chosen, you will allow that on this occasion also I have been inspired by Providence."

The marriage was celebrated at Paris on the 29th January, with a splendour which eclipses all nuptial ceremonies that have preceded it, without excepting even the magnificence of the Imperial alliance between Napoleon and Josephene, or that of Marie Antoinette with Louis XVI. The civil ceremony took place at the Palace of the Tuileries, in the Salle des Marechaux, before a thousand of the principal officers of State and the elite of the Empire. The contract entered into before the " officier de I'etat civil " was as follows:—

The Emperor said in reply to the Minister-— " I declare that I take in marriage her Excellency Mademoiselle Eugenie de Montijo, Countess de Teba, here present."

Her Excellency then said—" I declare that I take in marriage his Majesty Napoleon 111., here present."

The Minister of State then pronounced the folloAving Avoids:—-"In the name of the Emperor, the Constitution, and the Law, I declare that his Majesty Napoleon 111., Emperor of the French, by the Grace of God, and the national Avill,and her Excellency Mademoiselle Eugenie de Montijo, Countess de Teba, are united in marriage."

The religious ceremony was performed on Sunday, the 30th of January, at Notre Dame. The cathedral was decorated Avith unequalled magnificence. The interior was covered in front with banners, tapestry, and escutcheons, interspersed with green hangings, embroidered Avith golden bees, and great wreaths of flowers^ the ancient tower being surmounted Avith sixteen enormous gilt eagles, and the effect was splendid; but the interior far surpassed anything that w%s to be seen beyond the walls of the venerable Church, whose traditions are as strange as true. The gloom of the ancient aisles Avas dispersed by a million of lights in superb chandeliers; the walls Avere hid by paintings and sculpture; the pillars were covered with crimson velvet lined with gold, while thousands of flags, banners, and standards hung from the galleries aud vaulted roof. Twolar»-e arm chairs were placed for the Emperor aud Empress, beneath a vast .canopy surmounted by an Imperial crown and a gigantic eagle. The Archbishop of Paris performed the nuptial ceremony as required by the Church. There Avere present five cardinals and ten bishops, Avith a great number of canons and others of the clergy. The officiating archbishop addressed their Majesties at the altar, and said—" Sire, you declare, affirm, and swear before God, and in the face of the Holy Church, that you take for your laAvful vrife Madame Eugenie de Montrja Countess of Teba, here present; you promise and SAvear fidelity to her iu every respect,, as a faithful husband is bound to do, according to the commandment of God." The Emperor replied " Yes Sir. The Archbishop then addressed the Envpi! is in words to the same effect, varying the name, to which she replied, "Yes Sir."

&The mass and anthem Avere performed by 600 singers, and executed with great effect. The Te Deum was by Auber. About 6,000 persons were supposed to be present. The cortege returned to the Palace of the Tuilevies in the same order as it came. The Empress Eu-

genie is tall and dignified, remarkably good looking, and of a modest and winning manner; her style of face is true Spanish, but her complexion is fair, and betrays her Scottish descent. She was dressed in Avhite velvet, with a rich * diadem of diamonds and rubies, interspersed Avith orange blossoms. The Emperor Avore the full dress uniform of a general officer. The feeling displayed by the people on this grand occusion Avas not enthusiastic, but it was respectful, and they seemed pleased with their Empress, who has already made herself popular by several acts of clemency and charity. 3,000 persons, who were implicated in the events of December, 1851, have been pardoned by the Emperor. The marriage was not popular in France when. it was first announced ; it hurt the dignity of the French to think that ' their Emperor should be allied to a lady- who was not of the Royal families of Europe, but they are now more reconciled to the imperial will, and it is to be hoped that the Empress Eugenie will exercise a beneficial influence over the destinies of France and of the world.