The Emperor of Hawkers.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVI, 17 October 1903, Page 3

The Emperor of Hawkers.

Napoleon Hayard, the “Emperor of Hawkers.” died in Paris last month, as the result of being knocked down by a motor car. He ended his life as he had gone throgh it—with a joke. “I have run off the machine,” he said, “ I have ceased publication.” The “Emperor” was quite a cnaraeter in Paris, and Londoners will remember the trip he made to the British metropolis with his band of camelots on the occasion of President Loubet’s visit, and the songs that he sold in the streets for the good of the “entente eordiale” and. incidentally, for himself (remarks the "Express”). He came into notoriety thirty years ago. During the Commune of 1871 he became the orderly of Dombrowsky, who appointed him to the fantastic position of Inspector of Barricades. Dressed in fancy uniform, with large hat surmounted by white feathers, and wearing a Turkish y-atagan blazing with imitation jewels, and carrying in his belt a pair of immense pistols from which the hammers had been taken, he walked about the ramparts and amused the soldiers

by his ready wit and songs. Long after, he started his business as publisher of topical songs, which he wrote himself anil sold in the streets through the agency of an army of hawkers. As his name was Napoleon, it was fitting that everybody should address him as “tie Emperor.” The "Emperor." who pro fessed the greatest contempt for politics, was, nevertheless, a political factor. He would supply any number of men at 2/ a head to get up a political

Who is spoken of as Governor of Xew Zealand in succession to Lord Ranfurly, is the eldest son of a former Governor of this colony—Sis Hercules Robinson. He is not quite 37 years of age. and is married to a daughter of Lady I'astieinaine. Lord Rosemead served in South Africa during the Boer War.

demonstration, and there have been occasions when he has produced counter demonstrations at the same meetings. Quality. of course, governed prices, and a man with an uncommonly fine pair of lungs was worth quite 4 . The "Emperor” had a kind heart, and no deserving hawker ever applied to him for assistance in vain. His funeral was attended by practically all the hawkers of Paris.