2-969-955 - /Heritage Images

Visit of the Dames de la Halle to the Imperial Prince, 1856. 'The market-women of Paris, better known by their local and historical designation of "Dames de la Halle," form an important section of the population of the French metropolis. The scene represented by our Artist is that in which the Emperor shows the Imperial infant, in his magnificent cradle, to the loyal "dames." Louis Napoleon spares no pains to gain the good opinion of the working classes, and certainly he never used a more effective plan for that purpose than when he paid such attention to the deputation of market-women. In their way from the Palace the fair deputies are said to have been most enthusiastic in their description of the beauty of the young Prince, and of the gracious manner in which they were received by the Emperor'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.