Letter from Paris.
European Politics — the Emperor's New Year's reception — Interview between Napoleon and Mr. Faulkner--the first day of the Year in Paris, &c., &c.[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Paris, Friday, Jan. 4, 1861.
The first of January is an important occasion in Paris, in both a political and social aspect.
It is a traditional custom for the Sovereign of France to receive the New Year felicitations of the great Bodies of State, the foreign diplomatic representatives accredited to the Court of the Tuileries, deputations of the Army, the Navy, the National Guard, the Legion of Honor, the French Academy, and public functionaries of high rank.
The general love of parade and display prevalent in France, the necessity of appearing in uniform at Court, and the vast number of persons ushered into the sovereign presence, have always rendered this scene grand and imposing.
But an additional gravity attached to the annual reception at the palace of the Tuileries, since the power of France has acquired a predominating influence in Europe, and, notably, since the famous speech of the Emperor Napoleon to the Austrian Ambassador, on the 1st of January, 1859, foreshadowing the great war which broke out a few months subsequently.
The London Times, of the 1st inst., graphically described the eager expectation with which Europe awaited the words to fall from the lips of Napoleon III., on that day.
‘"Anxiety,"’ said the Thunderer of Printing-House Square, ‘"reigns in every foreign office in Europe, Every Exchange is conscious of an uneasy influence, and vibrates like the needle before a magnetic storm.
The political world feels sensitively; for, this day, Napoleon III., Emperor of the French, will address the Diplomatic Body, and the policy of a great military empire for the coming year may be revealed.
If the fear of some nations and the serious concern of all be capable of gratifying the vanity of France and of her Emperor, they have reason to be fully satisfied.
No flattery that could be poured forth by the lips of foreign envoys at the throne of French glory equals that which speaks in their silence and breaks forth in their reserve.
The instant telegram and the quickly dispatched messenger are compliments to the power of France more exquisite than could be conveyed by orations or odes."’
The article from which this citation is made is more than a column in length; but these brief sentences suffice to show the extra ordinary curiosity and suspense with which the Imperial speech was anticipated in Europe.
The few words uttered by the Emperor have exercised a happy effect upon the public mind throughout the continent, and indicate that a possibility still exists of removing the difficulties in European affairs without a further recourse to arms.
Upon the presentation of the corps Diplomatique, at 1 o'clock, in the Throne Room.
Lord Cowley, as Senior Ambassador at the Court of France, and in the absence of the Papal Nuncio, upon whom usually devolves the duty, on similar occasions, of speaking in behalf of the Corps, addressed his Majesty as follows: ‘
"Sire: The members of the Diplomatic Body; here united, have the honor to offer to your Majesty, by my voice, the expression of their respectful homage on the occasion of the New Year." ’
To which the Emperor replied: ‘
"I thank the Diplomatic Body for the wishes it has addressed to me. I look to the future with confidence, persuaded that the amicable understanding of the great Powers will assure the maintenance of peace, which is the object of all my desires." ’
It now devolves upon your correspondent to describe an incident of the diplomatic reception, occurring a few moments after the formal addresses had been pronounced, which, at the present momentous juncture in the affairs of our own country, will excite a deep interest in the United States.
The statement I am about to make may be relied upon as exact in every particular.
When the collective reception of the Diplomatic Body was over, the Emperor passed slowly along the line of Ambassadors and Ministers, speaking a few words to each, in person.
After a moment's conversation with the Persian Ambassador, who stood at the right of the Minister of the United States, the Emperor approached Mr. Faulkner, and cordially shook his hand.
The usual words of greeting were then exchanged, after which the Emperor asked, in English--
‘"What is the latest intelligence you have received from the United States?
Not so alarming, I trust, as the papers represent it?"’
‘"Like most nations, sire,"’ replied Mr. Faulkner, ‘"we have our troubles, which have lost none of their coloring, as described in the European press."’
The Emperor.--‘"I hope it is not true that any of the States have separated from the General Confederation!"’
Mr. Faulkner.--‘"The States still form one common Government, as heretofore.
There is excitement in portions of the Confederacy, and there are indications of extreme measures being adopted by one or two of the States.--But we are as familiar with the excitements as we are with the vigor which belong to the institutions of a free people.
We have already more than once passed through commotions which would have shattered into fragments any other Government on earth, and this fact justifies the inference that the strength of the Union will now be found equal to the strain upon it."’
The Emperor.--‘"I sincerely hope it may be so; and that you may long continue an United and Prosperous people."’
Mr. Faulkner then asked permission of the Emperor to present to him Mr. J. G. Clarke, acting Secretary of Legation, and Mr. E. Boyd Faulkner, acting Assistant Secretary, to whom His Majesty made a few kind remarks, and then passed on to the Minister of Denmark.
I repeat, that the account given of this important conversation between Napoleon III, and the Minister of the United States, may be relied upon fully.
I have it from a gentleman who was present, and who heard every word pronounced on both sides.
Indeed, the circumstances are now very generally known among the Americans in Paris, who comment upon the affair according to their individual political sentiments; but all, I believe, concurring in the opinion that the interrogations and observations of the Emperor were inspired by a sincere regret at our unhappy internecine divisions, threatening a disaster which will not be attributed, in Europe, to its real source, and which could not fail to inflict a terrible blow upon the struggling populations of Europe, looking to our country as a model of political liberty, and to our unexampled material prosperity as the most signal evidence of the success and stability of Republican institutions.
Socially, New Year's day was celebrated in Paris in accordance with traditional usage. --Of all days in the year, feasts and holidays included, observed in the gay capital, New Year is, by long odds, the gayest.
Everybody visits everybody.
Everybody makes presents to everybody.
Woe be unto the miserly or poverty-stricken wight who neglects, on the Jour de l'an, to present his felicitations, accompanied, at the very least, by a silk bag full of sugar plums, to all the ladies whose smiles he wishes to retain.
Instead of a mere commonplace bag, to be bought for a couple of dollars, (or $200 for each hundred lady acquaintances,) it is now quite the fashion, on this joyful occasion, to present a trunk full of bonbons, of the costliest description, the trunk itself being a miracle of elegance and art, with golden hoops, corners and handles!
It is, however, proper to add, that few except Russian boyards and American ‘"sovereigns,"’ indulge in this rather expensive mode of testifying their gallantry.
The hospitable mansion of our Minister was thrown open during the day, and many of our fellow- citizens, from all portions of the Union, cordially and fraternally met, under the roof of the representative of our common country, to drink and toast to the reconciliation of the States. 