"Four or five months ago, I addressed to the
Prince (Louis Napoleon) a letter in which I
acquainted him with the poverty into which I
have fallen, in consequence of an infamous
abuse of confidence. In this letter, I reminded
the President that, during his detention at Ham,
I proposed, through M. Thélin's brother, to effect
his escape, without conditions, disinterestedly.
I reminded him, besides, that when he was a
candidate for the national representation, and at the
time of the vote for the presidency, I obtained
more than eight thousand votes in Paris, and at
least as many more in the banlieue—in Saint-
Denis, Neuilly, Surênes, Puteaux, and other
parishes—where I was continually present
during the workpeople's meal times. I had not
forgotten the kind manner with which he had the
goodness to receive me in London, and to permit
me to converse with him several times. I am
vexed at the sight of a multitude of men who
are aided by the minister and the President.
What have they done to obtain those favours?
Nothing! They only came to offer their
interested devotion to the Prince when they felt
certain he must rise to power, whilst I proposed
to break his chains when he was still under lock
and key."

It seems that Vidocq, for a time, had really
put his faith in princes. All his life long, he
had always manifested his enthusiasm in favour
of new governments. When the Prince President
returned from his progress in the south of
France, Vidocq displayed from the window of
his apartments in the Boulevard Beaumarchais,
a magnificent transparency thus inscribed:

Louis Napoleon, thou Messiah of December
2, 1851, blessings on thee! Thou hast saved
and regenerated France. Long live the
Empire!

The sale of his furniture, which occupied two
whole days, afforded evidence of his former easy
circumstances, as well as of his decided taste for
pictures and works of art. It is supposed, without
being certain, that he had nothing left but
an annuity of a hundred and twenty pounds.
However, in his latter days, he freely taxed
the generosity of the few friends left to him.
He writes: "Wounded at heart and in the
paw, the old lion cannot leave his den, where
he groans, having no longer the strength to
roar. Abandoned by all, he waits with courage
and resignation for the gates of eternity to open.
To oblige quickly, is to oblige twice. It seems
that you have forgotten the proverb."

Vidocq's constitution was unusually robust
and vigorous; every report of his numerous
trials begins by describing his athletic stature
and build.

"I believe," he would say, " I shall get as
far as a hundred. At any rate, I have more
than ten years before me." Paralysis proved
that he was mistaken. He requested the
attendance of a priest, whom he had previously
sent for as a confessor, to receive the last
ceremonies of the Roman Church. The priest, on
accosting the sick man, warned him of the
disposition of mind necessary to receive the
sacrament; and that, before all, it was needful to
make absolute and complete avowal of all his
faults.

"Monsieur l'Abbé," replied Vidocq; "when
I tell you that I sent for you myself, you may
be sure that I intend to be sincere."

Extreme unction and the viaticum were given.
The moribund, suffocated, because he had
restrained his deep emotion, sobbed aloud, and
laid his hand on his heart to express what his
lips were unable to utter. He wept pious tears,
and with an effort said, "This is the happiest
day of my life. It is too much happiness for
Vidocq."

Shortly before receiving the Holy Communion,
the priest had given him a cross to kiss,
which was made of olive-kernels from the Mount
of Olives and blessed by the Pope, and a rosary
also blessed by the Pope, and which he held
twisted round his arm. He became calm as he
respectfully gazed at these relics, and at intervals
made a declaration, partly repentant, and
partly justifying his past life.

His funeral was followed by fifty male and
female paupers, who each received three francs.
Besides these paid mourners, there were not ten
people in the church. Amongst those few, a
young person in tears was observed.

As soon as he was dead, in addition to other
claimants of the inheritance, there came an
actress of the Boulevard, and two, three, five,
ten, women of doubtful reputation, each armed
with a will in proper form; but all anterior to
another that was produced by the persons with
whom he lodged.

When the seals on his property were broken,
the Government intervened, and removed from
Vidocq's papers all such as might have any
connexion with the functions he had formerly
fulfilled. The same thing happened after the
deaths of Cambacérès and Talleyrand.

On Saturday, the 4th of August, will appear the
First Part of a
STORY BY CHARLES DICKENS.
IN TWO PARTS.
The Thirteenth Journey of the UNCOMMERCIAL
TRAVELLER will be published in No. 69.

A NEW SERIAL TALE,
BY CHARLES LEVER,
Will be commenced on the 18th August (in No. 69)
and continued from week to week until completed.