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REVIEW.

Napoleon in Exile; or, a Voice from St. Helena. The opinions and reflections of Napoleon on the most important events of his Life and Government in his own words.By BARRY E. O'MEARA, Esq., his late Surgeon. 2 Vols.-Con tinued.

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less they are thoroughly blinded by prejudice. We know not how to frame a censure sufficiently strong for the conduct of Mr. O'Meara in publishing the most shameful things of a number of individuals merely because Bonaparte uttered them, if indeed he uttered all that is set down for him. A man who is so tenacious of his reputation as to horsewhip the first person he meets in the street, that happens to bear the same name with a party that has charged him with having in serted falsehoods in his book, should be much more chary of the reputation The very extraordinary character of of others than Mr. O'Meara has shown Bonaparte the vastness of the plans, himself. In the mean while we would over the execution of which he pre- have him recollect that a horse-whipsided; the effects produced upon the ping proves nothing more than that affairs of Europe, or rather of the the party inflicting it is a stronger man world, by the military power of France than the party receiving it. The only under his direction, and the strange character to be established by the arevents and variety of characters with gumentum baculinum is that of a cerwhich he was conversant, give an in-tain kind of courage. Though he terest to the book of Mr. O'Meara should horse-whip fifty men, he will which induces us to continue our no- not thereby persuade us that he is justice and extracts. We would not, tifiable in imputing the taking of however, be thought to attach an un- bribe to any editor of a newspaper, due importance to the opinions, or merely on the ground of being able to rather the expressions of Bonaparte; affirm that Bonaparte assured him of since we perceive that a thousand the fact. Mr. O'Meara is guilty of things were said by him for the pur- many improprieties of this kind, which pose of producing an effect. He well cannot be sufficiently reprobated. But knew that whatever was published conwe return to Bonaparte. cerning him in England, would create a certain interest. The examples of the publications of Warden and Santim were not lost on him. It is evi- I mentioned the retreat of Moreau, and dent he knew that Mr. O'Meara asked if he had not displayed great military intended to make a great sensation talents in it? That retreat, replied the about him go and she spoke, and, in emperor, instead of being what you say, was the greatest blunder that ever Moreau many instances, acted accordingly committed. If he had, instead of retreatWe believe it impossible for the warming, made a detour, and marched in the est admirers of Bonaparte those who rear of Prince Charles, (I think he said,) are resolved to see in him to the last he would have destroyed or taken the Aus trian army. The directory were jealous of only a magnanimous hero of a sublime me, and wanted to divide, if possible, the and noble mind, incapable of contri-military reputation; and as they could not

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give credit to Moreau for a victory, they did for a retreat, which they caused to be extolled in the highest terms; though even the Austrian generals condemned Moreau for having done it. You may probably hereafter,' continued Napoleon, have an opportunity of hearing the opinion of French generals on the subject, who were present, and you will find it consonant to mine. Instead of credit, Moreau merited the greatest censure and disgrace for it. As a general, Pichegru had much more talent than Moreau,'

The following observations prove neither the penetration of Bonaparte, nor the justness of his views, nor the propriety of his estimate of the character of the Emperor Alexander.They prove simply the extraordinary facility with which he himself could resolve on similar enterprises :

By invading other countries, Russia has two points to gain, an increase of civilization and polish, by rubbing against other powers, the acquisition of money, and the rendering friends to herself the inhabitants of the deserts, with whom some years back she was at war. The Cossacs, Calmucks, and other barbarians who have accompanied the Russians into France, and other parts of Europe, having once acquir. ed a taste for the luxuries of the south, will carry back to their deserts the remembrance of places where they had such fine women, fine living, and not only will not themselves be able to endure their own barbarous and sterile regions, but will communicate to their neighbours a desire to conquer these delicious countries. In all human probability, Alexander will be obliged either to take India from you, in order to gain riches and provide employment for them and thereby prevent a revolution in Russia; or he will make an irruption into Europe,

at the head of some hundred thousand of

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those barbarians on horseback, and two hundred thousand infantry, and carry every thing before him. What I say to you confirmed by the history of all ages, during which it has been invariably observed, that whenever those barbarians once got a taste of the south of Europe, they always returned to attempt new conquests and ravages, and have finally succeeded in making themselves masters of the country. It is natural for man to desire to better his condition; and The literal English of his words.

those canaille, when they contrast their own deserts with the fine provinces they have“ left, will always have an itching after the latter, well knowing also, that no nation will retaliate, or attempt to take their deserts from them. Those canaille,' continued he, 'possess all the requisites for conquest. They are brave, active, patient of fatigue and bad living, poor, and desirous of enriching themselves. I think, however, that all depends upon Poland. If Alexander succeeds in incorporating Poland with Russia, that is to say, in perfectly reconciling the Poles to the Russian government, and not merely subduing the towards subduing India. My opinion is, country, he has gained the greatest step that he will attempt either the one or the other of the projects, I have mentioned, and I think the last to be most probable.

We think Madame de Stael owes much of her brilliant reputation to her powers of conversation. Their style is one of the chief merits of her writings she was, probably, vain; though we do not think that she would throw her friends into the sea, that at the instant of drowning she might have an opportunity of saving them. We to tally disbelieve the assertion made by Bonaparte, that she offered to sell herself, and become black and white' for him.-See pp. 66-7, 1

The following account of Murat is interesting:

I answered, it was asserted that Murat had imputed the loss of the battle of Wat erloo to the cavalry not having been properly employed, and had said, that if he (Murat) had commanded them, the French would have gained the victory. It is very probable,' replied Napoleon, I could not be every where; and Murat was the best have given more impetuosity to the charge, cavalry officer in the world. He would There wanted but very little, I assure you three battalions, and in all probability Murat to gain the day for me, to destroy two or would have effected that. There were not I believe, two such officers in the world as Murat for the cavalry, and Drouet for the character. Four and twenty years agof artillery. Murat was a 'most singular when he was a captain, I made him my aid-de-camp, and subsequently raised bim to what he was, He loved, I may rather

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Welcome in Highland dale!
Welcome on Lowland vale!
Chieftain of Albyn, hail!

God save the King!

God save the King!

Hail, hail, on Scotia's strand!
Hail, hail, thro' Scotia's land,

say, adored me. In my presence he was, as it were struck with awe, and ready to fall at my feet. I acted wrong in having separated him from me, as without me he was nothing. With me, he was my right arm. Order Murat to attack and destroy four or Welcome in peace to us! five thousand men in such a direction, it Leng may old Scotland thus was done in a moment; but leave him to himself he was an imbecile without judge-Ne'er should one Scotsman fly! Welcome her King! Yet should e'er war be nigh, ment. I cannot conceive how so brave a man could be so lache. He was no where Up with the battle cry, brave unless before the enemy. There he was probably the bravest man in the world. His boiling courage carried him into the midst of the enemy, glittering with gold. How he escaped is a miracle, being as he was, always a distinguished mark, and fired at by every body. Even the Cossacs admired him on account of his extraordinary bravery. Every day Murat was engaged in single combat with some of them, and never returned without his sabre dropping with the blood of those whom he had slain. He was in fact a Don Quixote in the field; but take him into the cabinet, he was a poltroon without judgement or decision. Murat and Ney were the bravest men I ever witnessed. Murat, however, was a much nobler character than Ney. Murat was generous and open; Ney partook of the canaille.

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Hark, hark, her children sing,—
Hail to our King!
Hark, hark, her mountains ring,-
Long live our noble King!

God save the King!

Buchanan Street.

NOTICES

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The Camera Obscura will appear in our

next.

We feel obliged for the good opinion expressed by our Dalry Correspondent, and are sorry we cannot insert his communication.

Secundus will be gratified as soon as it is in our power.

Perambulatory Literature is necessarily deferred till our next.

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THE CAMERA OBSCURA.

No. I.

SHIPWRECK.

Of all the misfortunes which occur in life, none are so frequent and so distressing to the natives of a maritime kingdom as losses at sea. Death by the ordinary course of nature we can endure. They come on, as it were, with warning, and step by step the sufferer is carried to his last repose. He is not hurried off amid the conflict of contending elements nor his ear stunned with the horrid voice of agony and despair. He is not flung like a vile weed into the great abyss, to perish unknelled, uncoffined, and unknown. He lies on the bed of death, and is taught to view his approach with composure. Friends weep around him and solace his sufferings with the voice of comfort. The hand of affection holds forth every earthly relief, and closes the eye when it can no longer look on worldly things. The grief of friends is great, but it is supportable. It is not the impetuous burst of passion which in a moment overwhelms the heart. It is more mild-more tempered-more gradual. It was wound up to the highest pitch long before the beloved object had

PRICE 84d

departed his departure was expected and looked for-affliction had emptied the bitter cup of sorrow and could drink no more.

But in shipwrecks infinitely greater is the distress to the bereaved friends. There is no time for the slow approach of grief. In an instant the heart is assailed by the calamitous news. Perhaps an hour before all was joy and lightness of spirit. The world went gaily before us we joined in its amusements and were happy. We have a husband, or a father, or a brother at sea, but what of that: they have braved many dangers and will brave this. The vessel they sail in is stout, the pilot is experienced, the seamen are active. Even their very absence gives rise to pleasurable sensations we feel a happy kind of anxiety for their arrival; and in the buoyancy of fancy we anticipate the welcome and love they are to receive when we meet them again. But dreadful must the transition be when the messenger of woe announces, that they are no more

that the sea holds in its bosom all that was dear and beloved. Perhaps we were happy and smiling-perhaps we were talking of our friend and wondering what can stay his coming. Nothing of misfortune clouded over our conjectures. In our imaginations

he was still alive and we were happy. som heave with agony no more?
But the countenance of the messenger
dispels every dream. It wears the
leaden aspect of death and we shudder
as if a spectre stood before us. We

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Nor

is the first throe of anguish the only affliction to be endured. No-every thought embitters calamity--every glance gives a retrospective view of new horrors. We could not say that the sufferer died in his bed surrounded by affectionate relations. We could not say that the word of consolation was poured into his dying ear, and that the last glance of his languid eye was on those he loved. We could not say that he was carried with sorrow and with tears to his rest, and that those who saw him laid there were his father and brethren. If ever we angered him we could not ask his forgiveness. If ever we did him injury we could not repair it on his dying couch. If he cast his sad eye on any side, nothing was visible but the bound

would be cheerful before him but we are unable and feel a load at our hearts yet we cannot tell why. Why is he afraid to deliver his message? He was always wont to bring us good tidings, and when he met us a smile adorned his lips. But now he is troubled. He sits down and rises up, and sighs heavily, and looks on us with sorrow. He has something to say, but he will not speak it out."His appearance is talismanic, and throws over us a cloud of uncertainty whose dim and doleful mistiness we cannot penetrate. At last the awful, the overwhelming presentiment rushes upon us. Trembling, pale, and un-less foaming abyss of waters which speakably anxious we let the unwilling tossed the vessel as their plaything. question escape our lips. A strug- There was no time-no place for megling tear a stifled sigh-an omin- ditation here. None cared for himous shake of the head are our only none thought of him. No voice of prayanswers but they are enough. The er or repentance was sent up to heaven. cup of sorrow is full-affliction has The only sound that argued of mortality done its worst. The gaiety, the splen- was the profaneness which the maddor, the prospects of our former ex- dened crew sent forth as in derision istence are in an instant eclipsed and of the elements. Stunned, deafened, forgotten. They fly away like the confused, and shocked, what were his meteor bubble of midnight, and burst feelings? Did he think of those he -in silence and in darkness. No effort left behind him? Did the tear start vto be composed or resigned, while the to his eye at this moment of calamity? dreadful struggle continues, can be Did he think of wife, or child, or brosuccessful. Neither harp nor psaltery, ther, or father? He thought of all mor song, nor cunning tale of consola- these, and they were so many arrows ⚫tion can relieve the sufferer. There to his soul. But his cruel destiny he is no charmer to charm away his agony could not alter. Its thread was wound no balm to heal his wounds of af- up and he must perish. The spirit fliction. The tide of nature must have that looks over him is the demon of - vent in anguish and in tears. Philoso- the storm. Instead of being soothed phy cannot check its current nor make with the music of grief and sighs, he it glide more smoothly. Religion may expires amid the din of rushing elemake the sufferer more resigned, but ments and the convulsions of nature. 15ean ever religion root out the worm of Such are the thoughts of the survivors, agony that preys upon the heart, and and such must have been the desolabid the tear cease to flow, and the bo- tion of spirit which pervaded the wild

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