| The birth of this Prince, designated by the title or
king of Rome, was announced to the city of Paris by the firing of cannon
immediately on the accouchement of the Empress. All Paris was in anxious
suspense, it being usual on the birth of a princess to fire a round of 21
guns, and on that of a prince 101 discharges, the anxiety of the populace
waiting in silence, and counting the 21 discharges cannot be described:
on the report being heard of the twenty-second gun, their rapture knew no
bounds, and exclamations of Vive l'Empereur! &c. filled the air in all
directions; the promenades, the streets, houses, and public assemblies were
all full of people; in fact, the whole population of Paris were at the moment
silent, and absorbed in counting the number of the discharges. The powers
of Europe on this occasion also sent the most distinguished persons of their
courts to compliment the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor of Russia sent
his minister of the interior, the Emperor of Austria, the Count Clary, one
of the highest officers of the state, who was charged with a present for
the young Prince of a diamond coIlar of all the orders of the Austrian monarchy. |
