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A VISIT TO THE EMPEROR OF HAITI. 



finest ornament.' The tabouret is reserved for the princes 

 and princesses, the dukes and duchesses, whilst folding 

 chairs are allowed to counts and countesses, barons and ba- 

 ronesses, knights and their ladies. Soulouque is actively 

 occupied in raising Haiti to the height of the ancient mo- 

 narchies of Europe. Ideas of war engage him without 

 intermission — a brave soldier, he is determined to efface 

 the defeat of Azud, where a few hundred Dominicans, pro- 

 fiting by the inaction of the Haitian army, gained an easy 

 victory. Two war steamers have been ordered in Europe. 

 The campaign is to open next month. The chances ap- 

 pear very bad for St. Domingo, the population of which is 

 only about 150,000, whilst that of Haiti is upward of 

 600,000. The unfortunate republic has already in vain 

 appealed to the protection of France and England, and 

 now solicits the intervention of a power of the second order. 

 Eeduced to extremities, she may cast herself into the arms 

 of the United States ; such an eventuality might occasion 

 grave complications. What especially encourages Sou- 

 louque in his warlike projects is, that the excellent sale of 

 coffee, the principal article of export, increases greatly the 

 resources of this year. The system of monopoly intro- 

 duced by the minister of finance, M. Solomon, has been 

 crowned with complete success, however contrary it may 

 appear to sound notions of political economy. The ordi- 

 nary revenue of Haiti is valued at about £240,000 ; offi- 

 cial situations are paid accordingly. The Emperor re- 

 ceives about £3,200 a year, the Empress from £1,000 to 

 £1,200, the three ministers have each a little less than 

 £120 a year as their salary. The French indemnity 



