NAPOLEON III. AT SEDAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9022, 29 October 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

NAPOLEON 111. AT SEDAN.

M. Pact, de Cassagnac has come forward with a denial of the assertion made by M. Emile Zola in his gloomy romance "La Debacle," that Napoleon 111. "made up " like an actor at the Battle of Sedan. M. Paul de Cassagnac says:— "l was one of those who approached the Emperor the nearest at Sedan, and remained the longest with him. It was holding- my arm that he walked about during the whole of the Battle of Alouzon. It wa9 on my shoulder he leaned when seriously ill, and suffering terrible pain, to get into his carriage to go and give himself up a prisoner to the Germans. I several times ate at his table in company with him, and sitting beside him. Now I affirm it is absolutely incorrect and false that the Emperor used paint and powder. In case of need I appeal, as far as the day of the Battle of Sedan is concerned, to my comrade-in-arms, Robert Mitchell. With regard to the Princes 3 indicated by M. Zola, that is to say, Princes.? Mathilde, 1 have the honour of her acquaintance, and believe her incapable of gratuitously throwing undeserved ridicule on the Emperor, especially under such grievous circumstances." The Princess Mathilde corroborates M. de Cassagnac. The legend that the Emperor painted, "the origin of which is attributed to me," says the Princess, " never came from my lips. Such an idea never entered my head, and the first time I knew it was by reading M. Zola's ' Debacle;' Since then I have questioned persons who were present at the battle, and are well informed. They have all told me the legend was absolutely false. I was sure what their replies would be before I questioned them, on account of the Emperor's perfect simplicity of habits. I could not believe that, even with a good intention, he could have employed that actor's trick under such grave circumstances."