Louis Bonaparte is distinguished, cold, gentle, intelligent, with a certain measure of deference and dignity, a German air and black moustache; he bears no resemblance whatever to the Emperor.
He ate little, spoke little, and laughed little, although the party was a merry one.
Mme. Odilon Barrot seated him on her left. The Englishman was on her right.
M. de Rémusat, who was seated between the prince and myself, remarked to me loud enough for Louis Bonaparte to hear:
“I give my best wishes to Louis Bonaparte and my vote to Cavaignac.”
Louis Bonaparte at the time was feeding Mme. Odilon Barrot’s greyhound with fried gudgeons.
II. HIS ELEVATION TO THE PRESIDENCY. December 1848.
The proclamation of Louis Bonaparte as President of the Republic was made on December 20.
The weather, which up to then had been admirable, and reminded one more of the approach of spring than of the beginning of winter, suddenly changed. December 20 was the first cold day of the year. Popular superstition had it that the sun of Austerlitz was becoming clouded.