The copy of an address of British residents at Boulogne lay for signature—as British residents were duly informed by the Impartial—at the library of Mrs. Moneydue. We have been favoured with the various reasons—and subjoin a few—the exquisite reasons that, delighting and uplifting the British brain—induced the British residents and visitors to write themselves down the very humble and much obliged servants of the Emperor of France.
Mr. Alderman Greenfat signed "because he likes a strong Government. He also likes success; there is no getting on in this world without it. Has always believed that the French were only to be ruled with a rod of iron, and believed that Louis Napoleon was the very man to keep that rod in pickle."
Mr. Shadrach Shekels, money scrivener, signed "because he would always support legitimate government. Him as was strongest was always most legitimate. As a conscientious Jew he didn't care about France, having, of course, his serious thoughts fixed on settling down in his old age in New Jerusalem. Didn't think much of Louis Napoleon when once upon a time he come into the City of London with his bills: wouldn't look at his paper at no price. But times is changed. Would do his bill now—if not at a very long date—not only with pleasure, but with great interest."
Captain Plantagenet Simcox (of the Stonehenge Yeomanry), signed "because he liked PLUCK. And the Emperor had shown himself a clever fellow. He had proved to Europe that he had head beside pluck. Without pluck, who could have a stake in any country?"
Professor Wobbles signed "because he considered His Imperial Majesty to be one of Plutarch's men. The Emperor had the true heroic nose. It was a vulgar error that the world was governed by heads: no; the noses carried it. Waterloo was won by a nose. The nose is the natural sceptre. The Emperor was born a natural."
John Straight, Esq., (retired on his property) signed because "he thought the Emperor so very much improved, having sown all his wild oats. Was residing at Boulogne when Louis Napoleon landed, and was bundled like a sack of sawdust into a cart and delivered at the prison. But circumstances being changed, would now with the greatest pleasure give in his adhesion to the Saviour and Protector of France!"
Mrs. Deputy Botolph would sign "because the dear Emperor had asked herself and Jemima to the ball at the Tooleries; besides, His Majesty looked such a hero upon horseback."
Miss Agnes Bochurch signed "with a sense of gratitude to the dear Empress, who had brought in such a darling style of dressing the hair." Miss A. B. was, when in Paris, once taken for the Empress.