HORNY, ClIATILES AUGUSTE LOUIS Josai'it, Comte de, a French statesman, of the second empire, regarding whose parentage the biographical dictionaries published under imperial censorship are strangely silent. It is,, however, universally believed that he was the son of queen Hortense and of the comic de Flahault, and consequently half brother of Louis Napoleon. He wits born in Paris, Oct. 20, 1811. The comte de Morny, a French nobleman resident in Mauritius, received 800,000 francs to adopt him as his son; but he was educated by his "grandmother," Madame de Flahault; and Hortense left him at her death. in 1837, an annuity of 40,000 francs. Morny entered the army in 1832 as a sub-lient. and is said to have shown at this early period a predilection for metaphysics anti theology, which is indeed sufficiently surpris ing, if true, considering his subsequent thirst for material gratifications. He served with some distinction in Algeria; but he soon abandoned a military life, and in 1838 made his debut in time world of industry as a manufacturer of beet-root sugar, and pub lished a pamphlet on the subject. Ever after that time, lie was mixed up in all sorts of commercial and financial speculations—railway companies, canal companies, French and foreign mining companies, credit societies. industrial enterprises, etc,. Chosen a deputy
in 1812, he quickly attained a prominent position on account of his aptitude for dealing with financial questions; but events showed that he was not free from the reckless spirit of an adventurer, and his daring at times excited a suspicion of enormous swind ling somewhere. After the revolution of 1818, he became attached to the cause of his half-brother, and was the leadem of the subtle and treasonable policy of the Elysee. He took a prominent o•t in the emp d'etat. His role was to exhibit sangfroid, and to throw the republican leaders off their guard. Nor did he fail of success. He passed the evening of Dec. 1 at the Opera Comigoe, and yet. by six o'clock next morning the deed was done, and Moray was minister of the Interior. In 1854 he became president of the Corps Legislatil, and was ambassador to Russia during 1856-57, where lie married the rich and handsome princess Trubetskoi. The result of his Russian mission was the establishment of intimate political relations between the two governments, and a commercial treaty advantageous to both countries. He died May, 1865.