their relation to the past, the present, and the future. The Lives, which are contributed by first-rate writers, combine the most accurate historical data, with a critical analysis and philosophical reviews of the characters considered." In speaking of THE BIOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE, a respectable weekly cotemporary says: "The aim of these biographical portraitures is not limited merely to a connected narrative of the leading incidents in the outer lives of the eminent persons portrayed, but to present a succinct and searching portrait of the inner man; and that aim, we can safely affirm, is successfully carried out. The sketches are written in a spirit discriminating and impartial, and in language vigorous and fresh." Another reviewer states: "We like this serial; indeed every one who reads it cannot fail to be pleased with it. There is an irresistible charm in the development of mind. We gaze with intense, indescribable feelings at the mind-maturing process to which the choice spirits of the earth are subjected; their struggles with appalling difficulties that wellnigh overwhelm them; the conquests they achieve by indomitable courage and untiring perseverance; the noblywon laurels which at last entwine their brows: and we read and pondered over their histories with an enthusiasm akin to that which impels to greatness." Another Reviewer, equally respectable, says: "The work fills a hiatus felt in our modern periodical literature, in a manner which does considerable credit to its Editor. If it were confined chiefly to repeating lives of men of past ages, and bringing their biographies, month by month, before the public, to be read in regular course with other works, it would do much; but the aim of the Magazine is beyond this, for those who have just passed from the world's stage, and others who yet are amongst us, are made the subjects of memoirs, which bear internal evidence of being reliable and genuine." We merely quote these as samples of the many reviews and notices with which THE BIOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE has been favoured; and we here tender our warmest thanks to the conductors of the Metropolitan and Provincial Press, for the unsolicited expression of their opinions on the merits of this Magazine. Though the Lives it contains are presented to the public periodically, they do not partake of the ephemeral nature which distinguish magazines generally. The work possesses historical value on account of the permanent and standard character of its contents. It will continue to advance; and the longer it exists, and the more knowledge and experience its conductors realise, the more worthily will they strive to perform their work. THE BIOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1852. LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, THE PRESIDENT AND DICTATOR OF FRANCE. In CHARLES LOUIS NAPOLEON is the third and last son of Louis Bonaparte, and his wife, Hortense Beauharnais; and was born at Paris, on April 20, in the year 1808. Accordingly, he is, at present, forty-three years of age. the Bonaparte family, France has the fate of being governed by foreign blood. The Emperor Napoleon was a native of Corsica. His nephew, the President, is of West-Indian origin, on his mother's side. His father, Louis, the youngest brother but one of the Emperor, and the fifth child of Charles Bonaparte, a judge at Ajaccio, and of Letitia Ramolino, was born September 2, 1778. Though an intelligent and honourable man, and though raised by his powerful brother to the throne of Holland, he never possessed the confidence of the Emperor, whose maxim, in regard to his brothers, whom he elevated into princes, was, that their first duty was to himself, their second to France; and, only when they had discharged these obligations, were they to give a preference to the interests of the nations over whom they were set. After laying down the crown of Holland (1810), which had, in a manner, been forced upon him; and, after being formally separated from his wife, Louis, taking the title of Count de Saint-Leu, from an estate near Paris, the gift of the Emperor, lived for a long time as a private person in Florence, where he died, in the year 1846. His wife, Hortense, was born in Paris, April 10, 1783. Her father, the Viscount de Beauharnais, born May 28, 1760, a native of Martinique, married in that island Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie, who was born there January 23, 1763. Migrating into France, the Viscount, after holding offices of distinction, lost his life in the murderous collisions of the first French Revolution. Josephine's name has not escaped reproach. Her husband doubted whether Hortense was his child or that of a Creole; who, having fallen in love with Josephine Tascher, when only fourteen years of age, followed her to Paris. A divorce, legally sought for by her husband, was refused. Allowing her a liberal maintenance, however, he lived apart. Neither the mother nor the daughter can be considered a model of domestic affection. Nor were the domestic influences, under which the President was brought up, of the most favourable kind. In a second marriage, Josephine was allied to Napoleon Bonaparte. Thus Hortense, the President's mother, became the Emperor's daughter-in-law. By her marriage with Napoleon's brother, Louis, a second bond was formed; the daughter-in-law became also a sister-in-law. By a double tie, then, is the President connected with the Emperor. Some authorities point to a yet more intimate relationship between Napoleon and Hortense. Certainly the Emperor had a peculiar tenderness towards Napoleon Louis Charles, Hortense's first son. On his death (1807), however, and on the death of his next younger brother (1831), Napoleon Louis, the family rights and feelings settled on Louis Napoleon. It has already appeared that Louis and Hortense were not happy in their conjugal connexion. So great and lasting an impression does his home make on every man, that for a right appreciation of the President's character, one or two additional facts, B |