7 - M. Rouher, in his long conversata with the correspondent
of the Gaulois, has apparently intinikld that Prince Jerome must now be regarded as the represent,ive of the Napoleonic tradition, unless he himself abdicates thqeadership ; and has hinted that Prince Jerome's opinions n.st be moulded by the emergency, instead of the emergency Ling moulded by his opinions. M. Rouher holds that the Napoleonic idea is immortal in France, and that the young generation are growing up to revere it; but what the Napoleonic idea is, and whether it includes common action with the Catholic Church or not, he forgets to tell us. In the mean- time, Prince Jerome holds his tongue. There have been all sorts of 'rumours of his having written a letter repudiating the notion of assuming the position of a Bonapartist chief, and refusing also to let his son take it. But the letter has not been published, and very likely has not been written. Prince Jerome is in a difficult position, unless he thinks that masterly inactivity is at present the true policy. If he does, we do not see how any impatience in the ranks of the Imperialists can either open his mouth, or enable them to do without him. The- Napoleonic idea,—not very much, at best,—is nothing, without a Napoleon.
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