Soyer's Culinary Campaign

ror's first valet-de-chambre-An avalanche of earth-Table talk-Napoleon's projected trip to the Cri

to start, when a sad adventure occurred-my pocket-book, containing the best part of my cash and my official letters, was not to be found.[5] As I recollected having put it safely in the side pocket

tel, lest by chance I had taken it out during my short visit at the London Bridge house, where I had been surrounded by a number of friends. While making a last search in the room, by accident I shook the heavy wooden frame of the bed, from which everything had been removed-bedding, beds, and all, but without success-to my astonishment and deligh

oudly shouted along the station. "All right, all right," cried T. G.; "here I am." He imm

, that the thief had been captured, and it served him right. I

el, the incident caused great mirth. This was our first tribulation, whic

ng, peach-like countenances. A very thick fog came on, and the speed of the steamer was of course checked. We progressed slowly through the opaque atmosphere and heavy rain. After we had made all the signals required, the steam-whistle was heard, and we found ourselves going ahead towards the round tower on the right hand side of the port, the sight of which se

ear. Our delay and the fog had rendered our passage interesting-rather more so than pleasant. My intention was to take the first train, when, on reaching the jetty, who should I perceive but my friend M. Léon, the Emperor's first valet-de-chambre, one of the persons that have been longest employed about his Majesty's person, having been with him

here at this season? And w

should not be at Boulogne; but we have only come for a few days. The Emperor

, I

ear it, and expressed his satisfaction by no doubt thinking it was

irectly,"

l the Emperor you are here. Com

for the train. At ten minutes to seven o'clock, through a very heavy rain and a brisk gale, we arrived at the "Grand H?tel du Pavilion," which had just been finished, and was inhabited for the first time. This hotel is situated about five hundred yards from the Etablissement des Bains, at the foot of the bank, on the right hand side of that establishment. Any person who has visited Boulogne must be acquainted with the spot. It is rather remarkable that soon after the arrival of the Emperor-in fact, he only just had

nd repas de corps, as it is called in France, or military banquet, given that evening to the generals and officers of the Camp de Boulogne. But the most important part of the conversation was upon the contemplated departure of Napoleon for the East. He was to travel from Paris to Mar

te of anxiety and excitement, and exclaimed-"There is

with a square box, three parts full of various kinds of cigars, which he had no doubt pur

er ones than these?" s

could, but

ey scarcely had time to light cigars, when a telegraphic dispatch arrived. My friend M. Léon told one of the attendants to go and see if his Majesty had left the banqueting-room, and if he was in his cabinet. While this was passing, I

Emperor was still at table. The dispatch remained about ten minutes longer near M. Léon, when they came and apprised him that Napoleon was in his cabinet. M.

y not," I

the unexpected announcement, and we could hardly believe it. "If you come up quickly

ng the imperial palace, a friend and myself were quietly taking our coffee at a celebrated establishment, and in conversation said loud enough to be heard by our neighbours, that certainly the death of the Emperor Nicholas was very likely to change the state

ir, he

other Crimean shave, like

that his Majesty, the Emperor Nicholas the First of Russia, exp

-table, looking at me, no doubt anxious to see whether I was intoxicated or mad. O

a dozen of

ill drink your health

er of officers who had returned from the banquet entered, and affirmed the truth of what I had stated. Nevertheless, no one could believe it;

interview with the Emperor, which made me bless the douaniers who were so long at their breakfast, and longer still in clearing my luggage. I found my friend M. Léon smoking h

you were still here, and he would probably have seen you; but mind, if you don't look sharp, we shall be at Constantinople before yo

of the authorities; if you recollect, the last time I was here, I fared worse, for I was locked up more than t

y expect to go?

erything is ready for our departure. I much regret mi

les through the War Office; and I shall only remain in Paris

to the dejeuner, he declined attending it, on the ground that some unexpect

ard of the Emperor Nicholas being indisposed previous t

e third dispatch we received yesterday, but we

dear friend; and I hope to see you at Scu

shall have one of the Sultan's p

aris. My first visit was to the military hospital of the Val de Grace, the Invalides, the H?tel Dieu, &c. I was politely shown over each establis

the Smyrna ladies, about thirty in number, under the orders of Mrs. M. Cooke; there were also many doctors. I had seen them the day previous at the H?tel des Princes