A

VOICE FROM THE TOMB.

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN

NELSON AND WELLINGTON,

OVERHEARD AT ST. PAUL'S.

Wel. Truly so, such a testimonial from such a man, could hardly fail, but, as I before said, this is only one side of the question. When speaking of the new house to be erected, he said "I am of an opinion that as soon as French affairs are settled, and Europe in a quiet state, the British government will permit me to return to Europe, and close my life in England. Holland House would do well for me, I am sure Lord Holland would be to happy to resign it to me I have no doubt his Royal Highness the Prince Regent and I should be very good friends, and I think his Royal Highness would be the first to regret that ever I had been chained to this cursed rock.”

Nel. That, messmate, is doubtful.

Wel. Extremely so; he continued, "I do not believe they are foolish enough to be at the expense of eight millions annually to keep me here, when I am no longer to be feared; I am therefore not very anxious about the house. Nel. Unhappy man, he was indeed "reckoning without his host.".

Wel. Quite so; he then spoke about escape, and said, that even if he were nclined to try it, there were ninety-eight chances out of a hundred against his succeeding.

Nel. He might have said ninety-nine.

Wel. He might "notwithstanding which," continued he, "this gaoler imposes as many restrictions, as if I had nothing more to do than to step into a boat and be off; it is true, that while one lives there is always a chance of escape. Nel. Poor fellow, it proved not for him.

Wel. "Although chained, enclosed in a cell, and every human precaution taken to prevent it, the only effectual way to prevent it is

To put me to Death!

Nel. This is a painful recital, messmate; I trust every ambitious ruler will ponder on the sad tale, what a lesson.

Wel. It is indeed a painful story to hear one who a little, while ago was almost Emperor of the world; supplicating for death as a relief. He continued, it is only the dead who never come back. Then all uneasines on the part of the powers of Europe, and Lord Castlereagh will cease; no more squadrons to watch me, or poor soldiers fatigued to death with picquets and guards, or harrised carrying loads up these rocks."

Nel. How painfully he expressed it.

Wel. He did. When he was informed that France had condemned General Bertrand to death, though absent, he appeared for a moment lost in astonishment, and much concerned; but recollecting himself, observed, that by the laws of France, a man accused of a capital offence might be tried, and condemned to death by outlawry, but that they could not act upon such a sentence: that the individuals must be tried again, and be actually present, that if Bertrand were now in France, he would be acquitted as Drouet had been," But he expressed much sorrow at it, on the account of the effect which it might probably produce upon Madame Bertrand.

Nel. I understand.

Wel. He continued, "In revolutions every thing is forgotten, the benefits you confer to day are forgotten tomorrow. The side once changed, gratitude friend-. ship, parentage, every tie vanishes, and all sought for is self interest."

Nel. I suppose in this matter he could speak from experience.

Wel. I should say so. The following description is given of him at his toilet e.

Nel. It sounds funny, messmate, Buonaparte at his toilette, the last man we should associate with the toilette. But go on.

Wel. While dressing, he is attended by Marchand, St. Dennis, and Novarre.

Nel. St. Dennis, eh! highly honoured to be attended by a Saint, and by St. Dennis, of all the Saints in the world. This Saint "in waiting" must have reminded him of France.

Wel. One would think so; we are told that either St. Dennis or Novarre holds a looking-glass before him, and the other the necessary implements for shaving while Marchand is in waiting to hand his clothes.

Nel. Here was something of the "pride, pomp, and circumstances," here to require three fellows to assist in dressing him, although I had only one arm, I always found one quite enough.

Wel. Truly so, for my own part I should have considered three a nuisance, Cologne water was supplied to him. When he had gone over one side of his face with the razor, he asks St. Dennis or Novarre "Is it done" and after receiving an answer commences on the other. After he has finished the glass is held before him to the light and he examines whether he has removed every portion of his beard, if he perceives or feels that any remains, he sometimes lays hold of one of them by the ear, or gives him a gentle slap on the cheek in a good humoured manner, crying "Ah, rogue, why did you tell me it was done." We are told this latter circumstance has given rise to the report of his having beaten, and otherwise illtreated his domestics.

Nel. That was possible.

Wel. He then washes with water in which some Eau de Cologue has been mingled, a little of which he also sprinkles on his person.

Nel. I say, messmate, from Hotspur to the Fop there seems but one step. If his name will not "smell like a garden of rose," at all events, he would remined you of the musk plant.

Wel. Good, Nelson, good. "He very carefully picks and cleans his teeth, and frequently has himself rubbed with a flesh-brush, changes his linen and flannel waistcoat, and dresses in white kerseymere (or nankcen) breeches, white

waistcoat, silk stockings, shoes and gold buckles, and a green single breasted coat with white buttons, black stock, with none of the white shirt collar appearing above it, and a three cornered small cocked hat with a little tricoloured cockade. When dressed he always wears the gordon and grand cross of the legion of honour.

Nel. Legion of fiddlestick!

Wel. When he has put on his coat a little sprucely (bon bonniere), his snuffbox and handkerchief scented with eau de cologne, are handed to him by Marchand, and he leaves the chamber

Nel. Very much like an old stage fop, leaving the dressing room for the foot lights; but, however, as Shakspeare has it, "All the world is a stage," and Buonaparte, in his time, certainly " played many parts;" but, as you have described his dress, one can hardly imagine that he is the same person who played the chief part at Marengo, and took the leading characters at 'Arcole and Austerlitz.

Wel. Just so; the white kerseymere breeches, silk stockings, shoes with gold buckles, and perfumed handkerchief, he merely wanted the cane to render him the counterpart of Sir "Peter Teazle" or "Old Dornton" in the "Road to Ruin"

Nel. True, messmate, true, I almost fancy I can see him at old Drury, in the very character you have named. The "Road to Ruin," he certainly played perfectly, in that he was indeed a star, but whether, if he had been blessed, like Old Dornton, with a Harry, that he would have extended to him that kind forbearance exhibited by the" House of Dornton," is rather questionable; but pray go on.

Wel. It appears an Englishman sent him a book to St. Helena; on the back was inscribed, in letters of gold, to the Emperor Napoleon, or, to the Great Napoleon. Now, continued he, this galley-slave would not allow the book to be sent to me because it had the " Emperor Napoleon" written upon it, because he thought that it would give me some pleasure to see that all men were not like him, and that I was esteemed by some of his nation; I could not have believed that a man could be so base and so vile.

Nel. But do you think the governor kept the book back on this account? Wel. No; I do not believe it. If my memory does not fail me, this book was written by one, Hobhouse, who, like most of the Whig and Radical leaders, made use of the people to lift them into office This Hobhouse was a flaming Radical, and so charmed the enlightened electors of Westminster, that they returned him to Parliament. He was sent to Newgate for a libel on the House of Commons; the Whig leaders made him a peer, and he actually was a cabinet minister to the present Queen.

Nel. Is this possible.

Wel. It is a fact, and this crafty and cunning Whig-Radical brawler, the adopted of enlightened Westminster is now settled down into a very sedate peer of the realm; and I have no doubt, like that great blazing star, Earl Grey, that this once Radical Hobhouse, would be the first to "stand by his order, and "discourse divinely on the blessings of a peerage, and convince any doubting and dissatisfied elector of Westminster, that the House of Lords was not only the safeguard, but the pride and glory of England.

Nel. Messmate, pray tell me more of Buonaparte.

Wel. We are told, the governor came to Longwood, and calling aside one of his suite, asked if he thought that General Buonaparte would take it well if he invited him to come to a ball at Plantation House, on the Prince Regent's birth-day.

Nel. That was a strange request.

Wel. The governor was told that, under all the circumstances, it was probable that he would look upon it as an insult, especilly if made to "General Buonaparte"

Nel. Strange, messmate, that "General Buonaparte should so stick in the throat of the ex-Emperor Buonaparte; why that Maningo cloak that he prized so highly, must have reminded him, that it was "General Buonaparte" that really made him a great man, the moment that he aped Majesty, his doom was fixed great at Arcole and the bridge of Lodi, his Campaign in Italy, stampted him as a great soldier, yes, yes messmate when he clutchd that bauble, called a crown he was bearing up for St Helena; he may thank the "Purple for Longwood, It was the Emperor, not the "General" that placed him under the care of Sir Hudson Lowe, and it certainly did seem like retributive justice, that his foolish vanity (which to gratify, he broke through every law human and divine) should be punished, for ambition that seemed not satisfied with being King of a vast empire, he aspired to manufacture Monarchs for every kingdom of the earth, but pray go on,

Wel. It seems the

invitation to "General" Buonaparte, to come to the ball to celebrate the Prince Regents birth-day gave offence to some of his suite and we are not told whether he would go as General"

Nel. I should think he did not go at all. Buonaparte opening the ball with the governors wife in celebration of the birth-day of the Prince Regent, would be rather too much of a joke, and when we take into account the bad feeling that existed between him and the governort it is not likely Bonny would be in the humour to sport a toe at Plantation-house, what is called the "light fantastic toe requires a light heart, a Scotch reel might have brought to his recollection the Highland fling at Waterloo, an English Contre-dance would hardly have pleased him, an IRISH JIGG was out of the question, and noither do I think, messmate that his desire to celebrate the natal day of the "most perfect gentleman in England, would have prompted him as a wind up to have obliged the company with a hornpipe.

Wel. Ha, ha, Nelson, it would indeed have been a sight to have seen Napoleon doing a hornpipe.

Nel. It would have been a hornpipe in fetters, messmate.

Wel. I dare say that would have been his impression; a hornpipe, Nelson, might have been considered a compliment to the British Navy, as it is a dance I have understood, much patronized by sailors,

Nel. Well, I have often seen my Jacks' do it, and very well too.

Wel. I have read an anecdote, that you on one occasion when you went ashore, danced a hornpipe; and moreover, that the company were so delighted at the manner of your doing it, that they greeted you with an encore.

Nel. Such an honour, messmate, I never received; the only time I ever attempted such a prank, I believe was in the West Indies; Clarence and I were returning to our ship one night, when we were atracted by a black fellow, who was amusing a croud with a hornpipe; I joked Clarence, that although a King's son, he could not equal that negro at a hornpipe; his Royal Highness retorted on me as to my capabilities for performing it. Being in a merry mood, I believe we did cut a few capers, but as we had no audience, I need hardly tell you we had no encore.

Wel. Truly so; your speaking of Prince William Henry, reminds me of an anecdote I was told of, in connection with you and poor Lady Hamilton and a naval officer, who was in the land of the living when I left the earth. Nel. Pray let me hear it?

Wel. In the year 1802. H. M. ship Spitfire, was lying in Milford Haven, on board that ship were two brothers named Moore, (midshipmen) at the time you was inspecting the naval Arsenal of that port.

Nel. I was.

Wel. Having a great desire to see you, they obtained leave to go on shore, they were addressed by an elderly gentleman, who was attracted by their youthful appearence in naval uniform; the eldest being but 13 years of age, and the other only ten; the gentleman asked them if they were come on