THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S FUNERAL.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR, In your review of Mme. Novikoff's Memories an extract is set out giving Baron Brunow's reply to the French Ambassador, who objected to attending the great Duke's funeral with the other foreign Ambassadors. The story is justly referred to by the reviewer as the " best story " in the Memories. But the French Ambassador had a peculiar and personal reason for his objection in addition to the mere fact that he was a Frenchman. The Ambassador at that time (1852) was Count Walewski, the son of Napoleon I. by a Polish Countess. Of this, I believe, there is no doubt whatever, as the parentage appears to have been acknow- ledged, admitted, and recognized by every one. It was, I may add, Count Walewski who in his official capacity gave notice of the coup d'‘tat of Napoleon III. to Lord Palmerston. He was born
in 1810 and died in 1868.—I am, Sir, &c., V. DE S. POWER.
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