general not only declined to join the plot, but warned the Prefect of Strasburg that mischief was on foot, though he did not mention in what quarter.  The Government in Paris seems, however, to have concluded that it would be best to let a plot so very rash come to a head.  There was a public singer, calling herself Madame Gordon, at Baden, who flung herself eagerly into the conspiracy.  Louis Napoleon on quitting Arenenberg had expected to meet several generals of distinction, who had served under his uncle, at a certain trysting-place between Arenenberg and Strasburg.  He waited for them three days, but they never came.  He then resolved to continue his campaign without their aid or encouragement, and entered Strasburg secretly on the night of Oct. 28, 1836.  The next morning he had an interview with Colonel Vambery, who endeavored to dissuade him from his enterprise.

Vambery’s prudent reasons made no impression on the prince, and he then promised his assistance.  Having done so, Louis Napoleon offered him a paper, securing a pension of 10,000 francs to each of his two children, in case he should be killed.  The colonel tore it up, saying, “I give, but do not sell, my blood.”  Major Parquin, an old soldier of the Empire, who was in the garrison, had been already won.  On the night of the prince’s arrival the conspirators met at his lodging.

Three regiments of infantry, three regiments of artillery, and a battalion of engineers formed the garrison at Strasburg.  The wisest course would have been to appeal first to the third regiment of artillery; but other counsels prevailed.  The fourth artillery, whose adhesion to the cause was doubtful, was chosen for the first attempt.  All depended upon the impression made upon this regiment, which was the one in which Napoleon had served when captain of artillery at Toulon.

The night was spent in making preparations.  Proclamations were drawn up addressed to the soldiers, to the city, and to France; and the first step was to be the seizure of a printing-office.

At five o’clock in the morning the signal was given.  The soldiers of the fourth regiment of artillery were roused by the beating of the assemblee.  They rushed, half-dressed, on to their parade-ground.  Louis Napoleon, whose fate it was never to be ready, was not prompt even on this occasion; he was finishing two letters to his mother.  One was to be sent to her at once if he succeeded, the other if he failed.

On entering the barrack-yard he found the soldiers waiting, drawn up in line.  On his arrival the colonel (Vambery) presented him to the troops as the nephew of Napoleon.  He wore an artillery uniform.  A cheer rose from the line.  Then Louis Napoleon, clasping a gilt eagle brought to him by one of the officers, made a speech to the men, which was well received.  His cause seemed won.

Next, followed by the troops, but exciting little enthusiasm in the streets of Strasburg as he passed along them in the gray dawn of a cloudy day, Louis Napoleon made his way to the quarters of General Voirol.  The general emphatically refused to join the movement, and a guard was at once set over him.