Their arrival at Dover and their journey to London was a
triumph; and on their arrival, their progress through the great capital
was marked by a popular demonstration, which, from its enthusiasm and
vastness, may be called sublime. The line of carriages passed through
crowded streets--crowded from the kerbstones to the housetops--? until
they reached Hyde Park Corner. It is said that the emperor pointed out
to the empress the street, leading into St. James's Street, where he had
humble lodgings, when, seven years before, he was an exile residing in
London. On the 10th of April, 1848, he turned out, baton in hand, to
serve as a special constable, when the Chartists, under the guidance of
the unfortunate Fergus O'Connor, threatened an invasion of London. Seven
years and one week, save a day, had elapsed since Napoleon was thus
obscure; and it was reserved for him to pass through the streets of the
great city, guarded by the household troops of her majesty, her guest,
and the companion of her consort, while her whole people turned out to
confirm her invitation, and add to the honours she had reserved for
him. _O tempora mutantur, et mutamur cum illos!_ When the illustrious
visitors entered Hyde Park, an entirely new scene awaited them.
Comparatively few of the lower classes were there; but nowhere else in
Europe could such an array of carriages and horsemen be presented. The
writer of this History took up his position near the Magazine, where a
tolerable opportunity of seeing the procession was offered; but so dense
were the carriages and the equestrians, that persons on foot were much
impeded.
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