ought to remember that Buonaparte dining in the cabin of a British ship of war was to him a novel situation, perhaps he preferred walking the deck, to drinking wine that he did not want. But pray proceed. Wel. Sir Hudson Lowe received the following from Lord Bathurst. Downing Street, 10th January, 1816. "I have at present to let you know, that it is the pleasure of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that on your arrival at St. Helena, you should communicate to all the persons forming the suite of Napoleon Buonaparte, including the domestics, that they are at liberty to quit the island, immediately to return to Europe; adding, that none will be permitted to remain at St. Helena, unless those who shall give a written declaration, which shall be deposited in your hands, that it is their desire to remain in the island, and to participate in the restrictions, which it is necessary to impose upon Napoleon Buonaparte personally. (Signed) Bathurst. Nel. Napoleon Buonaparte, why not have styled him General Buonaparte. Wel. The wording of this declaration did not please Napoleon, and he desired Count Montholon to substitute the following, which was submitted to the domestics. "We the undersigned, desiring to remain in the service of the Emperor Napoleon, consent, however frightful the abode in St, Helena may be, to remain there, submitting ourselves to the restrictions, however unjust and arbitrary, which are imposed upon his majesty, and the persons in his service. Nel. He still made a struggle to retain Majesty, he would not let you unfrock him so easy as Bess did the Bishop. But bear on. Wel. We are told some of the domestics signed this under the impression that it would compel them to remain in the island during the life-tirae of Buonaparto. This however did not prevent any of them from signing the paper which was presented to them. Nel. This at all events, showed their love towards him. Wel. Yes. He often complained of the climate, he called it an accursed island, that there was neither sun nor moon to be seen for a large portion of the year. Nel. Very cheering, certainly. Wel. Napoleon told a gentleman who was introduced to him, that when he arrived on the island he was asked, what he desired to have; he replied, "his liberty, or the executioner; that the English ministers had unworthily violated the most sacred rights of hospitality towards him, by declaring him a prisoner, which savages would not have done in the situation in which he stood." He conversed freely on every subject, and like Johnson, opposite, he had his Boswell to note down his most minute sayings." In England," he said, "every man has his trade; the member of parliament takes money for his vote; the minister for their places; the lawyers for their opinions." Nel. This, messmate, was a bit of truth at all events. Wel. His bed room has been thus described: It was about fourfeen feet by twelve, and ten or eleven feet in height; the walls were lined with brown nankeen, bordered and edged with common green bordering paper; two small windows without pullies, looking towards the camp of the 53rd regiment, one of which was thrown up and fastened by a piece of notched wood; window curtains of white long cloth, a small fire place, a shabby grate, and fire-irons to match→→→ Nel. A marine store dealer's lot. Wel. A paltry mantel-piece of wood, painted white, upon which stood a marble bust of his son. Nel. Poor fellow! Wel. Above the mantel-pioce hung the portrait of Maria Louise; and four or five of young Napoleon, one of which was embroidered by the hands of hig mother; a little more on the right hung also a miniature picture of the Empress Josephine. Nel. Unhappy lady! Wel. And to the left was suspended the alarm chamber-watch of Frederick the Great. Nel. But how did he obtain that? Wel. At Potsdam, on the right, the consular watch engraved with the cypher B. hung by a chain of the plaited hair of Marie Lousie, from a pin stuck in the nankeen lining, the floor was covered with a second-hand earpet, which had once decorated the dining room of a lieutenant of the St. Helena artillery; in the right hand corner was placed the little plain iron camp bedstead, with green silk curtains, upon which its master had reposed on the fields of Marengo and Austerlitz-between the windows there was a paltry second-hand chest of drawers; and an old book case with green blinds, stood on the left of the door leading to the next apartment; four or five cane-bottomed chairs painted green, were standing here and there about the room; before the back-door there was a screen, covered nankeen, and between that and the fire-place, an old fashioned sofa, covered with white long cloth, upon which reclined Napoleon, clothed in his white morning gown, white loose trousers and stockings all in one; a figured red madras upon his head, and his white collar open without a cravat; his air was melancholy and troubled; before him stood a little round table, with some books, at the foot of which lay, in confusion upon the carpet, a heap of those which he had already perused, and at the foot of the sofa facing him, was suspended a portrait of Marie Louise, with her son in her arms; in front of the fireplace stood Las Cases, with his arms folded over his breast, and some papers in one of his hands. Of all the former magnificence of once mighty Emperor of France, nothing was present except a superb wash-hand stand, containing a silver basin, and water jug of the same metal, in the left hand corner. 66 Nel. What a penalty for ambition was here; how these things you have mentioned must have painfully reminded him of his greatness and his fall. His son in the arms of Marie Lousie, that son he so desired to consolidate the Empire, and to obtain, he put away the highly gifted and devoted Josephine, whose portrait must have conjured up a thousand recollections of her councils and his own folly, by sending her adrift, he cast away his empire, and substituted a chequered red Madras" for a crown, and when he gazed on the portrait of the daughter of the House of Austria, he must have felt that the illfated Marie Louise va instrumental (though innocently so) of clothing him in a "white morning gown, white loose trowsers and stockings all in one" instead of the imperial robe. Wel. Just so; such reflections must pass his mind, nothwithstanding his belief of "what is written is written," at times we are told his mind was greatly excited against the English government for placing him at St. Helena. "To place me in this accursed island, is a disgrace to England," he remarked to a gentleman who was introduced to him. "It would have been more merciful to have taken me at eight o'clock in the morning to Baily Street (rue Bailey*)" a few moments suffering, and I should have passed from the hands of my tormenters, at the most my name and death would have been recorded in the "Newgate Calendar," (Chronicle de Newgate), my deeds would still have been before the world, they could not have blotted out the glories of the consulate and the empire, the executioner could not draw a cap over JENA, EYLAU, LODI, and MARENGO, FRIEDLAND and BRESLAU would have survived the Sheriffs of London, and all the quick lime in England could not have burnt up the "Sun of Austerlitz," yes, yes, I repeat, I would sooner have the hangman of London than the hangman of St. Helena." We are told the Gentleman replied that "the people of England would have recoiled at such an execution of so great a man," "Bah! bah!" exclaimed Napoleon, “my execution to the London shop-keepers would have * No doubt Napoleon meant the Old Bailey. farewell have no been a Grande Spectacle to get money, houses would have been let, like the seats of a Theatre, to witness my last appearance on any stage, and address, or in plain English, "My last dying speech and confession, doubt would have had a greater sale than your King's speech on the opening of Parliament." Nel. There is little doubt of that, but it was "not written" that he should "Shuffle off his mortal coil" in London, the way he describes, or there is little doubt, messmate, but a "Nation of shop-keepers" would have "improved the subject" by fitting up their houses in the most commanding situations," and "excellent views," for the final exit of the "Child of Destiny," if they coined money out of TRAFALGAR and WATERLOO, why not AUSTERLITZ. Wel. Truly so. Nel. But the climate of St. Helena must severely have tested him, to have drawn forth such a remark as you have described. Wel. No doubt of it, he said, "there is neither sun nor moon to be seen for the greater part of the year, constant rain and fog in this cursed place." Nel. It must indeed have been a cursed place, for him to exchange it for the Old Bailey. Wel. When he was recommended to take more exercise, he replied, "what can I do in this execrable isle, I cannot ride out even a mile, without being wet to my skin." Nel. Very pleasant certainly. Wel. His hatred to Sir Hudson Lowe, the governor, was intense; we are told on one occasion, after the governor had paid him a visit, Napoleon remarked " he sat on a chair opposite to my sofa, I never saw such an horrid countenance, on the little table between us there was a cup of coffee; his physiognomy made such an unfavourable impression upon me, that I thought his look had poisoned it, and I ordered Marchand to throw it out of the window; I could not have swallowed it for the world." Nel. I have heard of a person's features so sour, as to turn any liquid into vinegar; but this was an improvement on it, though by no means a compliment to the "human face divine" of Sir Hudson. Wel. By no means; but we must bear in mind that Napoleon had a strong dislike to the governor. He was determined to maintain his dignity, and not pass over in silence on any occasion; we are told, one day the governor sent an invitation to Napoleon to come to Plantation house; to meet Lady Moria, he instructed Bertrand to return no answer. "If he really wanted me to see her, he would have put plantation house in the limits, but knowing if I come, it must be in charge of a guard, was an insult, I think under all the circumstances she might have come to see me as she was free and unfettered, The first sovereigns in the world would not have been ashamed to pay me a visit." Nel. Well I think Lady Moria might have went to him, it could not have been pleasant to Buonaparte to have been marched up to Plantation house under guard. Wel. Certainly not; on another occasion it is said he remarked to one of his attendants, "Here has been this jackanapes to torment me." Nel. This governor seemed to him a tormentor general. Wel. Tell him that I never wish to see him, and that I wish he may not come again to annoy me with his hateful presence; let him never come near me, unless it is with orders to despatch me, he will then find my breast ready for the blow; but until then let me be free of his odious countenance; I cannot accustom myself to it." Nel. When you found Lowe appeared to him in "such a questionable shape," why did not you recal him; it is quite certain by what you have told me, that ROMANISM IN LONDON-A PRIESTS CONFESSION-Price Twopence!! so long as Lowe was governor, St. Helena, to Buonaparte, would never riva new harmony. Wel. It was at one time contemplated to recal Sir Hudson, but several cabinet ministers opposed it, one day he was told that some ladies he had received a few days before were highly delighted with his manners, especially as from what they had read and heard, they had been prepossessed with opinions of a very different nature; "Ah," said he, laughing, I suppose that they imagined I was some ferocious horned animal." 6. Nel. At all events, poor fellow were he was, he was compelled to draw his horns in. The world, messmate, did not take Bonny for a common man. I remember once on my return to Norfolk from sea, I went into a college at Burnham; the man who worked for my father, asked me many questions about Buonaparte, among others, whether it was true, that he had a tail; aud when I told them that he was like other men, and really a good looking fellow, they would scarcely believe it; you know our boy Fred, master Horatio," said the 66 poor fellow, he's drawn; Bonny won't quarter him." I replied, without intending a pun, "do you think he won't?"replied the fond and anxious mother, and the poor old lady seemed consoled when I assured her he would not. But go on with St. Helena, I feel great interest in the poor captive. 46 Wel. Speaking of the report of his poisoning the sick at Jaffa, he said "now that there are so many English in France, they will soon find out that this story is a falsehood, "Had Wilson himself, continued Napoleon, not been convinced of the untruth of the statement, which he had once believed he would not have assisted Lavalette to escape from prison." Though I do not myself see the force of this reasoning. Nel. Nor I-but bear on. Wel. He observed, how vexatious and unnecesary it was to require an officer to accompany him if he wished to visit the interior of the island. It is very well he continued to keep me away from the town, and sea side I never want to approach one or the other, all that is necessary for my security, is to guard well the sea borders of this rock. Nel. Certainly, just what I said, place a strong guard by the sea side it would have answered the purpose. Wel. He continued, let him place his picquets round the Island, close by the sea, and in communication with each other, he might easily do with the number of men he has, and it would be impossible for me to escape. Cannot he, moreover, put a few horsemen in motion when he knows I am going ont; cannot he place them on the hills, or where he likes, without letting me know any thing about it, "I will never appear to see them;" cannot he do this without obliging me to let the officer know that I want to ride out, not that I object to the officer, I love a good soldier of any nation. Nel. Hear, hear! Wel. But I will not do anything which may lead people to imagine that I am a prisoner, I have been forced here contrary to the law of Nations, and I will never recognise their right in detaining me, my asking an officer to accompany me would be a tacit acknowledgement of it, I have no intention to escape, although I have not given my word of honour not to try, neither will I ever give it, as that would be acknowledging myself a prisoner, which I will never do. Cannot they impose additional restrictions when ships arrive, and above all not allow any ship to sail until my actual presence is ascertained, without inflicting such useless, and because useless, vexatious restrictions. I have no wings to fly away. Nel. If he had I expect, messmate, he would soon be on the wing. Wel. Most likely. Neither do I contemplate availing myself of the services of Blanchard or Sadler* to carry me from this cursed island. * Celebrated Ballooners. ་ To be Continued. |