TheComted’Artois,who,probablywisely,certainlycautiously,hadrefusedtogowithDeVitrollestostirupthesouthuntilhehadplacedtheKinginsafety,hadendedbygoingtoGhenttoo,whiletheDucdeBerrywasatAlost,closeby,withatinyarmycomposedoftheremainsoftheMaisonduRoi,ofwhichthemostwasmadeinreports.TheDucd’Orleans,alwaysanobjectofsuspiciontotheKing,hadleftFrancewiththeRoyalparty,buthadrefusedtostayinBelgium,asheallegedthatitwasanenemy’scountry.HecrossedtoEnglandwhereheremained,greatlyaddingtotheanxietyofLouisbyrefusingtojoinhim.
TheendofthesePrincesiswellknown.Louisdiedin1824,leavinghisthronetohisbrother;butCharlesonlyheldittill1830,whenaftertherisingcalled"thethreegloriousdaysofJuly,"hewascivillyescortedfromFrance,andtookshelterinEngland.TheDueAngou1emediedwithoutissue.TheDucdeBerrywasassassinatedin1820,buthiswidowgavebirthtoaposthumoussontheDucdeBordeaux,or,tofervidRoyalists,HenriV.,thoughbetterknowntousastheComtedeChambord,whodiedin1883withoutissue,thusendingthetheneldestlineofBourbons,andtransmittinghisclaimstotheOrleansfamily.OnthefallofCharlesX.
theDucd’OrleansbecameKingoftheFrench,buthewasunseatedbytheRevolutionof1848,anddiedarefugeeinEngland.AsthethreePrincesoftheHouseofConde,thePrincedeConde,hisson,theDucdeBourbon,andhis:grandson,theDued’Enghien,alldiedwithoutfurthermaleissue,thatnoblelineisextinct.
WhenthenewsoftheescapeofNapoleonfromElbareachedViennaonthe7thofMarch1815,thethreeheadsoftheAllies,theEmperorsofAustriaandRussia,andtheKingofPrussia,werestillthere.ThoughitwassaidthattheCongressdancedbutdidnotadvance,stillagreatdealofworkhadreallybeendone,andthenewsofNapoleon’slandingcreatedafreshbondofunionbetweentheAllieswhichstoppedallfurtherchancesofdisunion,andenabledthemtopracticallycompletetheirworkbythe9thofJune1815,thoughthetreatiesrequiredcobblingforsomeyearsafterwards.
France,Austria,andEnglandhadsnatchedthegreaterpartofSaxonyfromthejawsofPrussia,andAlexanderhadbeenforcedtoleavetheKingofSaxonytoreignoverhalfofhisformersubjects,without,ashewished,sparinghimthepainofsuchadegradationbytakingallfromhim.
RussiahadtobecontentedwithalargeincreaseofherPolishdominions,gettingmostoftheGrand—DuchyofWestphalia.Austriahad,probablyunwisely,withdrawnfromherformeroutlyingprovincesinSwabiaandtheNetherlands,whichhadbeforetheRevolutionmadehernecessarilytheguardianofEuropeagainstFrance,preferringtotakehergainsinItaly,gainswhichshehasgraduallylostinourdays;whilePrussia,byacceptingtheRhineprovinces,completelysteppedintotheformerpostofAustria.Indeed,fromthewayinwhichPrussiawas,after1815,asitwere,scatteredacrossGermany,itwasevidentthatherfatemustbe.
eithertobecrushedbyFrance,orelse,byannexingthestatesenclosedinherdominions,tobecomethepredominatingpowerinGermany.Itwasimpossibleforhertoremainasshewasleft.
TheAlliestightlyboundFrance.TheyhadnodesiretohaveagaintomarchonParistorestoreLouistothesubjectswhohadsuchunfortunateobjectionstobeingsubjectedtothatdesirablemonarch.BythesecondTreatyofParis,onthe20thofNovember1815,FrancewastobeoccupiedbyanAlliedforce,inmilitarypositionsonthefrontier,nottoexceed150,000men,tobetakenfromalltheAlliedarmies,underacommanderwhowaseventuallytheDukeofWellington.Originallytheoccupation.
wasnottoexceedfiveyears,butinFebruary1817thearmywasreducedby30,000men,one—fifthofeachcontingent;andbytheTreatyofAix—la—
Chapelleof9thOctober1818,Francewasto—beevacuatedbythe30thofNovember1818.
ThethreemonarchswereprobablynotsorrytogettheCongressoveronanyterms.AlexanderhadhadhisfillofdisplayinghimselfinthesalonsinhisfavouritepartofanAgamemnongeneroustowardsTroy,andhehadwornouthisfirstpopularity.HewasstungbyfindingsomeofhisfavouriteplansboldlyopposedbyTalleyrandandbyMetternich,and,indeed,wasanxioustomeetthelastinopencombat.FrancishadrequiredallthefirmnessofwhathecalledhisBohemianheadtoresistthethreats,entreaties,andcajoleriesemployedtogethimtoacquiesceinthedethronementoftheKingofSaxony,andthewipingoutoftheSaxonnationalitybytheveryalliancewhichprofessedtofightonlyfortherightsofnationsandoftheirlawfulsovereigns.
AllthreemonarchshadagainthesatisfactionofenteringParis,butwithoutenjoyingthefullgloriesof1814."Ourfriends,theenemies"
werenotsopopulartheninFrance,andthespoliationoftheLouvrewasnotpleasanteventotheRoyalists.TheforeignmonarchssoonreturnedtotheirowndrainedandimpoverishedStates.
TheEmperorFrancishadafterwardsaquietreigntohisdeathin1835,havingonlytoassisthisMinisterinsnuffingouttheoccasionalflashesofaloveoffreedominGermany.
TheKingofPrussiareturnedinatriumphwellwonbyhissturdysubjects,and,inthelightofhisnewhonours,theCountessVonVosstellsushewasreallyhandsome.Hewasnowatleisuretoresumethediscussionsonuniform,andtheworkoffasteningandunfasteningthenumerousbuttonsofhispantaloons,inwhichhehadbeensoroughlyinterruptedbyJena.ThefirstinstitutionoftheZollverein,orcommercialunionwithseveralStates,graduallyextended,wasameasurewhichdidmuchfortheunificationofGermany.WithhisbrothersovereignsherevisitedParisattheendofthemilitaryoccupationin1818,remainingtherelongerthantheothers,"because,"saidtheParisians,"hehaddiscoveredanactoratasmalltheatrewhoachievedthefeatofmakinghimlaugh."Hediedin1840.HisQueen——heartbroken,itwassaid——haddiedin1810.
Alexanderwasstillbrimmingoverwiththebestandmostbenevolentintentionstowardseveryone.Theworldwastobefree,happy,andreligious;buthehadrathervagueideasastohowhisplansweretobecarriedout.ThusitischaracteristicthatwhenhissuccessordesiredtohaveasolemncoronationasKingofPolanditwasfoundthatAlexanderhadnotforeseenthedifficultieswhichweremetwithintryingtoarrangeforthecoronationofaSovereignoftheGreekChurchasKingofaRomanCatholicState.Themuch—dreadedbutverymistyHolyAlliancewasoneofthefewfruitsofAlexander’svisions.Hismindisdescribedaspassingthrougharegularseriesofstageswitheachinfluenceunderwhichheacted.Heendedhislife,tiredout,disillusioned,"deceivedineverything,weigheddownwithregret;"obligedtocrushtheveryhopesofhispeoplehehadencouraged,dyingin1825atTaganrog,leavinghisnewPolishKingdomtobewipedoutby—hissuccessors.
Theminorsovereignsrequirelittlemention.TheyretainedanytitlestheyhadreceivedfromNapoleon,whiletheyexulted,atbeingfreefromhisheavyhandandsharpsuperintendence.Eachgotashare,smallorgreat,ofthespoilexceptthepoorKingofDenmark,who,beingassuredbyAlexanderonhisdeparturethathecarriedawayallhearts,answered,"Yes,butnotanysouls."
Thereintroductionofmuchthatwasbadintheoldsystem(onecountryevengoingsofarastore—establishtorture),thesteadyattackonlibertyandonallliberalideas,WurtembergbeingpracticallytheonlyStatewhichgrumbledatthetighteningofthereinssodeartoMetternich,——allformedafittingcommentaryontheproclamationsbywhichtheSovereignshadhoundedontheirpeopleagainstthemantheyrepresentedastheoneobstacletothefreedomandpeaceofEurope.
Ingloomanddisenchantmentthenationssatdowntolicktheirwounds:
Thecontemptshownbythemonarchsforeverythingbuttherightofconquest,themannerinwhichtheytreatedthelandswonfromNapoleonasagigantic"pool"whichwastobesharedamongstthem,somanysoulstoeach;theirtotalfailuretofulfiltheirpromisestotheirsubjectsofgrantingliberty,——alltheseslowlyboretheirfruitsinafteryears,andtheireffectsarenotevenyetexhausted.Therightofasovereigntoholdhislandswasnow,bythepubliclawofEurope,tobedecidedbyhisstrength,Therightsofthepeopleweretreatedasnotexisting.Truly,asourmostgiftedpoetesshassung——
TheKingscreptout—thepeoplessatathome,Andfindingthelonginvocatedpeace(ApallembroideredwithwornimagesOfrightsdivine)tooscanttocoverdoomSuchastheysuffered,nursedthecornthatgrewRanklytobitterbread,onWaterloo."
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon,V15,1815
MemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte,V16
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel,LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS:
CHAPTERXIII.toXIV.andAPPENDIX1815—1821
CHAPTERXIII
——[Thischapter;bytheeditorofthe1836edition,isbaseduponthe’Memorial’,andO’Meara’sandAntommarchi’sworks.]——
1815—1821.
VoyagetoSt.Helena——PersonaltraitsoftheEmperor——ArrivalatJamesTown——Napoleon’stemporaryresidenceatTheBriars——RemovaltoLongwood——Thedailyroutinethere—TheCampaignofItaly——ThearrivalofSirHudsonLowe——UnpleasantrelationsbetweentheEmperorandthenewGovernor——VisitorsatSt.Helena——CaptainBasilHall’sinterviewwithNapoleon——AnecdotesoftheEmperor——DepartureofLasCasesandO’Meara——ArrivalsfromEurope——PhysicalhabitsoftheEmperor——Dr.
Antommarchi——TheEmperor’stoilet——Creationofanewbishopric——
TheEmperor’senergywiththespade——Hisincreasingillness——
LastdaysofNapoleon——HisDeath——Lyinginstate——Militaryfuneral——
Marchand’saccountoftheEmperor’slastmoments——Napoleon’slastbequests——TheWatchofRivoli.
TheclosingscenesinthelifeofthegreatEmperoronlynowremaintobebrieflytouchedupon.InapreviouschapterwehavenarratedthesurrenderofNapoleon,hisvoyagetoEngland,andhistransferencefromtheBellerophontotheNorthumberland.Thelattervesselwasingreatconfusionfromtheshortnoticeatwhichshehadsailed,andforthetwofirstdaysthecrewwasemployedinrestoringorder.Thespaceabaftthemizenmastcontainedadining—roomabouttenfeetbroad,andextendingthewholewidthoftheship,asaloon,andtwocabins.TheEmperoroccupiedthecabinontheleft;inwhichhiscamp—bedsteadhadbeenputup;thatontherightwasappropriatedtotheAdmiral.Itwasperemptorilyenjoinedthatthesaloonshouldbeincommon.Theformofthedining—
tableresembledthatofthedining—room.Napoleonsatwithhisbacktothesaloon;onhisleftsatMadameBertrand,andonhisrighttheAdmiral,who,withMadamedeMontholon,filleduponesideofthetable.
Nextthatlady,butattheendofthetable,wasCaptainRoss,whocommandedtheship,andattheoppositeendM.deMontholon;MadameBertrand,andtheAdmiral’ssecretary.ThesideofthetablefacingtheEmperorwasoccupiedbytheGrand—Marshal,theColonelofthefieldRegiment,LasCases,andGourgaud.TheAdmiralinvitedoneortwooftheofficerstodinnereveryday,andthebandofthe53d,newly—formed,playedduringdinner—time.
Onthe10thofAugusttheNorthumberlandclearedtheChannel,andlostsightofland.ThecourseoftheshipwasshapedtocrosstheBayofBiscayanddoubleCapeFinisterre.Thewindwasfair,thoughlight,andtheheatexcessive.Napoleonbreakfastedinhisowncabinatirregularhours.Hesentforoneofhisattendantseverymorningtoknowthedistancerun,thestateofthewind,andotherparticularsconnectedwiththeirprogress.Hereadagreatdeal,dressedtowardsfouro’clock,andthencameintothepublicsaloon;hereheplayedatchesswithoneoftheparty;atfiveo’clocktheAdmiralannouncedthatdinnerwasonthetable.ItiswellknownthatNapoleonwasscarcelyevermorethanfifteenminutesatdinner;herethetwocoursesalonetookupnearlyanhourandahalf.Thiswasaseriousannoyancetohim,thoughhisfeaturesandmanneralwaysevincedperfectequanimity.Neitherthenewsystemofcookerynorthequalityofthedishesevermetwithhiscensure.Hewaswaitedonbytwovalets,whostoodbehindhischair.
AtfirsttheAdmiralwasinthehabitofofferingseveraldishestotheEmperor,buttheacknowledgmentofthelatterwasexpressedsocoldlythatthepracticewasgivenup.TheAdmiralthenceforthonlypointedouttotheservantswhatwaspreferable.Napoleonwasgenerallysilent,asifunacquaintedwiththelanguage,thoughitwasFrench.Ifhespoke,itwastoasksometechnicalorscientificquestion,ortoaddressafewwordstothosewhomtheAdmiraloccasionallyaskedtodinner.
TheEmperorroseimmediatelyaftercoffeehadbeenhandedround,andwentondeck,followedbytheGrand—MarshalandLasCases.ThisdisconcertedAdmiralCockburn,whoexpressedhissurprisetohisofficers;butMadameBertrand,whosematernallanguagewasEnglish,repliedwithspirit,"Donotforget,sir,thatyourguestisamanwhohasgovernedalargeportionoftheworld,andthatkingsoncecontendedforthehonourofbeingadmittedtohistable."——"Verytrue,"rejoinedtheAdmiral;andfromthattimehedidhisutmosttocomplywithNapoleon’shabits.Heshortenedthetimeofsittingattable,orderingcoffeeforNapoleonandthosewhoaccompaniedhimevenbeforetherestofthecompanyhadfinishedtheirdinner.TheEmperorremainedwalkingondecktilldark.
Onreturningtotheafter—cabinhesatdowntoplayvingtetunwithsomeofhissuite,andgenerallyretiredinabouthalfanhour.Onthemorningofthe15thofAugustallhissuiteaskedpermissiontobeadmittedtohispresence.Hewasnotawareofthecauseofthisvisit;
itwashisbirthday,whichseemedtohavealtogetherescapedhisrecollection.
OnthefollowingdaytheydoubledCapeFinisterre,anduptothe21st,passingofftheStraitsofGibraltar,continuedtheircoursealongthecoastofAfricatowardsMadeira.Napoleoncommonlyremainedinhiscabinthewholemorning,andfromtheextremeheatheworeaveryslightdress.
Hecouldnotsleepwell,andfrequentlyroseinthenight.Readingwashischiefoccupation.HeoftensentforCountLasCasestotranslatewhateverrelatedtoSt.Helenaorthecountriesbywhichtheyweresailing.Napoleonusedtostartasubjectofconversation;orrevivethatofsomeprecedingday,andwhenhehadtakeneightornineturnsthewholelengthofthedeckhewouldseathimselfonthesecondgunfromthegangwayonthelarboardside.Themidshipmensoonobservedthishabitualpredilection,sothatthecannonwasthenceforthcalledtheEmperor’sgun.ItwasherethatNapoleonoftenconversedforhourstogether.
Onthe22dofAugusttheycamewithinsightofMadeira,andatnightarrivedofftheport.Theystoppedforadayortwototakeinprovisions.Napoleonwasindisposed.AsuddengalearoseandtheairwasfilledwithsmallparticlesofsandandthesuffocatingexhalationsfromthedesertsofAfrica.Ontheeveningofthe24ththeygotunderweighagain,andprogressedsmoothlyandrapidly.TheEmperoraddedtohisamusementsagameatpiquet.Hewasbutan,indifferentchess—
player,andtherewasnoverygoodoneonboard.Heasked,jestingly,"Howitwasthathefrequentlybeatthosewhobeatbetterplayersthanhimself?"Vingtetunwasgivenup,astheyplayedtoohighatit;andNapoleonhadagreataversiontogaming.Onenightanegrothrewhimselfoverboardtoavoidaflogging,whichoccasionedagreatnoiseandbustle.
AyoungmidshipmanmeetingLasCasesdescendingintothecabin,andthinkinghewasgoingtoinformNapoleon,caughtholdofhiscoatandinatoneofgreatconcernexclaimed,"Ahsir,donotalarmtheEmperor!
Tellhimthenoiseisowingtoanaccident!"IngeneralthemidshipmenbehavedwithmarkedrespectandattentiontoBonaparte,andoftenbysignsorwordsdirectedthesailorstoavoidincommodinghim:Hesometimesnoticedthisconduct,andremarkedthatyouthfulheartswerealwayspronetogenerousinstincts.
Onthe1stofSeptembertheyfoundthemselvesinthelatitudeoftheCapedeVerdIslands.Everythingnowpromisedaprosperouspassage,butthetimehungheavily.LasCaseshadundertakentoteachhissonEnglish,andtheEmperoralsoexpressedawishtolearn.He,however,soongrewtiredandlaiditaside,norwasitresumeduntillongafterwards.Hismannersandhabitswerealwaysthesame;heinvariablyappearedcontented,patient,andgood—humoured.TheAdmiralgraduallylaidasidehisreserve,andtookaninterestinhisgreatcaptive.Hepointedoutthedangerincurredbycomingondeckafterdinner,owingtothedampoftheevening:theEmperor,wouldthensometimestakehisarmandprolongtheconversation,talkingsometimesonnavalaffairs,ontheFrenchresourcesinthesouth,andontheimprovementshehadcontemplatedintheportsandharboursoftheMediterranean,toallwhichtheAdmirallistenedwithdeepattention.
MeanwhileNapoleonobservedthatLasCaseswasbusilyemployed,andobtainedasightofhisjournal,withwhichhewasnotdispleased.He,however,noticedthatsomeofthemilitarydetailsandanecdotesgavebutameagreideaofthesubjectofwar:ThisfirstledtotheproposalofhiswritinghisownMemoirs.AtlengththeEmperorcametoadetermination,andonSaturday,the9thofSeptemberhecalledhissecretaryintohiscabinanddictatedtohimsomeparticularsofthesiegeofToulon.Onapproachingthelinetheyfellinwiththetrade—
winds,thatblowhereconstantlyfromtheeast.Onthe16ththerewasaconsiderablefallofrain,tothegreatjoyofthesailors,whowereinwantofwater.TherainbegantofallheavilyjustastheEmperorhadgotupondecktotakehisafternoonwalk.Butthisdidnotdisappointhimofhisusualexercise;hemerelycalledforhisfamousgraygreatcoat,whichthecrewregardedwithmuchinterest.
Onthe23dofSeptembertheypassedtheline.Thiswasadayofgreatmerrimentanddisorderamongthecrew:itwastheceremonywhichtheEnglishsailorscallthe"christening."Nooneisspared;andtheofficersaregenerallymoreroughlyhandledthananyoneelse.TheAdmiral,whohadpreviouslyamusedhimselfbygivinganalarmingdescriptionofthisceremony,nowverycourteouslyexemptedhisguestsfromtheinconvenienceandridiculeattendingit.NapoleonwasscrupulouslyrespectedthroughthewholeofthisSaturnalianfestivity.
OnbeinginformedofthedecorumwhichhadbeenobservedwithregardtohimheorderedahundredNapoleonstobepresentedtothegrotesque—
Neptuneandhiscrew;whichtheAdmiralopposed,perhapsfrommotivesofprudenceaswellaspoliteness.
OwingtothehastewithwhichtheyhadleftEnglandthepaintingoftheshiphadbeenonlylatelyfinished,andthiscircumstanceconfinedNapoleon,whosesenseofsmellwasveryacute,tohisroomfortwodays.
Theywerenow,inthebeginningofOctober,drivenintotheGulfofGuinea,wheretheymetaFrenchvesselboundfortheIsleofBourbon.
Theyspokewiththecaptain,whoexpressedhissurpriseandregretwhenhelearntthatNapoleonwasonboard.Thewindwasunfavourable,andtheshipmadelittleprogress.ThesailorsgrumbledattheAdmiral,whohadgoneoutoftheusualcourse.Atlengththeyapproachedtheterminationoftheirvoyage.Onthe14thofOctobertheAdmiralhadinformedthemthatheexpectedtocomewithinsightofSt.Helenathatday.Theyhadscarcelyrisenfromtablewhentheirearsweresalutedwiththecryof"land!"Thiswaswithinaquarterofanhourofthetimethathadbeenfixedon.TheEmperorwentontheforecastletoseetheisland;butitwasstillhardlydistinguishable.AtdaybreaknextmorningtheyhadatolerablyclearviewofitAtlength,aboutseventydaysafterhisdeparturefromEngland,andahundredandtenafterquittingParis,NapoleonreachedSt.Helena.Intheharbourwereseveralvesselsofthesquadronwhichhadseparatedfromthem,andwhichtheythoughttheyhadleftbehind.Napoleon,contrarytocustom,dressedearlyandwentupondeck:hewentforwardtothegangwaytoviewtheisland.Hebeheldakindofvillagesurroundedbynumerousbarrenhillstoweringtotheclouds.Everyplatform,everyaperture,thebrowofeveryhillwasplantedwithcannon.TheEmperorviewedtheprospectthroughhisglass.Hiscountenanceunderwentnochange.Hesoonleftthedeck;andsendingforLasCases,proceededtohisday’swork.TheAdmiral,whohadgoneashoreveryearly,returnedaboutsixmuchfatigued.Hehadbeenwalkingovervariouspartsoftheisland,andatlengththoughthehadfoundahabitationthatwouldsuithiscaptives.
Theplacestoodinneedofrepairs,whichmightoccupytwomonths.HisorderswerenottolettheFrenchquitthevesseltillahouseshouldbepreparedtoreceivethem.He,however,undertook,onhisownresponsibility,tosetthemonshorethenextday.
Onthe16th,afterdinner,Napoleon,accompaniedbytheAdmiralandtheGrand—Marshal,Bertrand,gotintoaboattogoashore.Ashepassed,theofficersassembledonthequarter—deck,andthegreaterpartofthecrewonthegangways.TheEmperor,beforehesteppedintotheboat,sentforthecaptainofthevessel,andtookleaveofhim,desiringhimatthesametimetoconveyhisthankstotheofficersandcrew.Thesewordsappearedtoproducetheliveliestsensationinallbywhomtheywereunderstood,ortowhomtheywereinterpreted.Theremainderofhissuitelandedabouteight.TheyfoundtheEmperorintheapartmentswhichhadbeenassignedtohim:,afewminutesafterhewentupstairstohischamber.HewaslodgedinasortofinninJamesTown,whichconsistsonly,ofoneshortstreet,orrowofhousesbuiltinanarrowvalleybetweentworockyhills.
ThenextdaytheEmperor,theGrand—Marshal,andtheAdmiral,ridingouttovisitLongwood,whichhadbeenchosenfortheEmperor’sresidence,ontheirreturnsawasmallvilla,withapavilionattachedtoit,abouttwomilesfromthetown,theresidenceofMr.Balcombe;amerchantoftheisland.ThisspotpleasedNapoleon,andtheAdmiralwasofopinionthatitwouldbebetterforhimtoremainherethantoreturntothetown,wherethesentinelsathisdoor,withthecrowdscollectedroundit,inamannerconfinedhimtohischamber.Thepavilionwasasortofsummer—
houseonapyramidaleminence,aboutthirtyorfortypacesfromthehouse,wherethefamilywereaccustomedtoresortinfineweather:thiswashiredforthetemporaryabodeoftheEmperor,andhetookpossessionofitimmediately.Therewasacarriage—roadfromthetown,andthevalleywasinthispartlessruggedinitsaspect.LasCaseswassoonsentfor.AsbeascendedthewindingpathleadingtothepavilionhesawNapoleonstandingatthethresholdofthedoor.Hisbodywasslightlybent,andhishandsbehindhisback:heworehisusualplainandsimpleuniformandthewell—knownhat.TheEmperorwasalone.Hetookafancytowalkalittle;buttherewasnolevelgroundonanysideofthepavilion,whichwassurroundedbyhugepiecesofrock.Takingthearmofhiscompanion,however,hebegantoconverseinacheerfulstrain.WhenNapoleonwasabouttoretiretoresttheservantsfoundthatoneofthewindowswasopenclosetothebed:theybarricadeditaswellastheycould,soastoexcludetheair,totheeffectsofwhichtheEmperorwasverysusceptible.LasCasesascendedtoanupperroom.Thevaletsdechambreslaystretchedintheircloaksacrossthethresholdofthedoor.
SuchwasthefirstnightNapoleonpassedattheBriars.
AnEnglishofficerwaslodgedwiththeminthehouseastheirguard,andtwonon—commissionedofficerswerestationednearthehousetowatchtheirmovements.Napoleonthenextdayproceededwithhisdictation,whichoccupiedhimforseveralhours,andthentookawalkinthegarden,wherehewasmetbythetwoMissesBalcombe,livelygirlsaboutfourteenyearsofage,whopresentedhimwithflowers,andoverwhelmedhimwithwhimsicalquestions.Napoleonwasamusedbytheirfamiliarity,towhichhehadbeenlittleaccustomed."Wehavebeentoamaskedball,"saidhe,whentheyoungladieshadtakentheirleave.
Thenextdayachickenwasbroughtforbreakfast,whichtheEmperorundertooktocarvehimself,andwassurprisedathissucceedingsowell,itbeingalongtimesincehehaddonesomuch.Thecoffeeheconsideredsobadthatontastingithethoughthimselfpoisoned,andsentitaway.
Themorningswerepassedinbusiness;intheeveningNapoleonsometimesstrolledtotheneighbouringvilla,wheretheyoungladiesmadehimplayatwhist.TheCampaignofItalywasnearlyfinished,andLasCasesproposedthattheotherfollowersofNapoleonwhowerelodgedinthetownshouldcomeupeverymorningtoassistintranscribingTheCampaignofEgypt,theHistoryoftheConsulate,etc.Thissuggestionpleasedtheex—Emperor,sothatfromthattimeoneortwoofhissuitecameregularlyeverydaytowritetohisdictation,andstayedtodinner.Atent,sentbytheColonelofthe53dRegiment,wasspreadoutsoastoformaprolongationofthepavillion.TheircooktookuphisabodeattheBriars.Thetablelinenwastakenfromthetrunks,theplatewassetforth,andthefirstdinnerafterthesenewarrangementswasasortoffete.
OnedayatdinnerNapoleon,castinghiseyeononeofthedishesofhisowncampaign—service,onwhichthe—armsoftheKinghadbeenengraved,"Howtheyhavespoiledthat!"heexclaimed;andhecouldnotrefrainfromobservingthattheKingwasingreathastetotakepossessionoftheImperialplate,whichcertainlydidnotbelongtohim.Amongstthebaggagewasalsoacabinetinwhichwereanumberofmedallions,givenhimbythePopeandotherpotentates,somelettersofLouisXVIII.whichhehadleftbehindhimonhiswriting—tableinthesuddennessofhisflightfromtheTuileriesonthe20thofMarch,andanumberofotherlettersfoundintheportfolioofDiaBlacasintendedtocalumniateNapoleon.
TheEmperorneverdresseduntilaboutfouro’clockhethenwalkedinthegarden,whichwasparticularlyagreeabletohimonaccountofitssolitude——theEnglishsoldiershavingbeenremovedatMr.Balcombe’srequest.Alittlearbourwascoveredwithcanvas;andachairandtableplacedinit,andhereNapoleondictatedagreatpartofhisMemoirs.
Intheevening,whenhedidnotgoout,hegenerallycontrivedtoprolongtheconversationtillelevenortwelveo’clock.
Thustimepassedwithlittlevarietyorinterruption.Theweatherinthewinterbecamedelightful.Oneday,hisusualtaskbeingdone;Napoleonstrolledouttowardsthetown,untilhecamewithinsightoftheroadandshipping.OnhisreturnhemetMrs.BalcombeandaMrs.Stuart,whowasonherwaybackfromBombaytoEngland.TheEmperorconversedwithheronthemannersandcustomsofIndia,andontheinconveniencesofalongvoyageatsea,particularlytoladies.HealludedtoScotland,Mrs.
Stuart’snativecountry,expatiatedonthegeniusofOssian,andcongratulatedhisfairinterlocutoronthepreservationofherclearnortherncomplexion.Whilethepartieswerethusengagedsomeheavilyburdenedslavespassedneartothem.Mrs.Balcombemotionedthemtomakeadetour;butNapoleoninterposed,exclaiming,"Respecttheburden,madam!"AshesaidthistheScotchlady,whohadbeenveryeagerlyscanningthefeaturesofNapoleon,whisperedtoherfriend,"Heavens!
whatacharacter,andwhatanexpressionofcountenance!HowdifferenttotheideaIhadformedofhim!"
Napoleonshortlyafterrepeatedthesamewalk,andwentintothehouseofMajorHudson.Thisvisitoccasionedconsiderablealarmtotheconstitutedauthorities.
TheGovernorgaveaball,towhichtheFrenchwereinvited;andLasCasesaboutthesametimerodeovertoLongwoodtoseewhatadvancehadbeenmadeinthepreparationsfortheirreception.Hisreportonhisreturnwasnotveryfavourable.TheyhadnowbeensixweeksattheBriars,duringwhichNapoleonhadbeennearlyasmuchconfinedasifonboardthevessel.Hishealthbegantobeimpairedbyit.LasCasesgaveitashisopinionthattheEmperordidnotpossessthatconstitutionofironwhichwasusuallyascribedtohim;andthatitwasthestrengthofhismind,notofhisbody,thatcarriedhimthroughthelaboursofthefieldandofthecabinet.InspeakingonthissubjectNapoleonhimselfobservedthat.
naturehadendowedhimwithtwopeculiarities:onewasthepowerofsleepingatanyhourorinanyplace;theother,hisbeingincapableofcommittinganyexcesseitherineatingordrinking:"If,"saidhe,"Igotheleastbeyondmymarkmystomachinstantlyrevolts."Hewassubjecttonauseafromveryslightcauses,andtocoldsfromanychangeofair.
TheprisonersremovedtoLongwoodonthe10thofDecember1815.NapoleoninvitedMr.Balcombetobreakfastwithhimthatmorning,andconversedwithhiminaverycheerfulmanner.AbouttwoAdmiralCockburnwasannounced;heenteredwithanairofembarrassment.InconsequenceoftherestraintsimposeduponhimattheBriars,andthemannerinwhichthoseofhissuiteresidinginthetownhadbeentreated,BonapartehaddiscontinuedreceivingthevisitsoftheAdmiral;yetonthepresentoccasionhebehavedtowardshimasthoughnothinghadhappened.AtlengththeylefttheBriarsandsetoutforLongwood.Napoleonrodethehorse,asmall,sprightly,andtolerablyhandsomeanimal,whichhadbeenbroughtforhimfromtheCape.HeworehisuniformoftheChasseursoftheGuard,andhisgracefulmannerandhandsomecountenancewereparticularlyremarked.TheAdmiralwasveryattentivetohim.AttheentranceofLongwoodtheyfoundaguardunderarmswhorenderedtheprescribedhonourstotheirillustriouscaptive.Hishorse,unaccustomedtoparades,andfrightenedbytherollofthedram,refusedtopassthegatetillspurredonbyNapoleon,whileasignificantlookpassedamongtheescort.TheAdmiraltookgreatpainstopointouttheminutestdetailsatLongwood.Hehadhimselfsuperintendedallthearrangements,amongwhichwasabath—room.Bonapartewassatisfiedwitheverything,andtheAdmiralseemedhighlypleased.Hehadanticipatedpetulanceanddisdain,butNapoleonmanifestedperfectgood—humour.
Theentrancetothehousewasthrougharoomwhichhadbeenjustbuilttoanswerthedoublepurposeofanante—chamberandadining—room.Thisapartmentledtothedrawing—room;beyondthiswasathirdroomrunninginacrossdirectionandverydark.ThiswasintendedtobethedepositoryoftheEmperor’smapsandbooks,butitwasafterwardsconvertedintothedining—room.TheEmperor’schamberopenedintothisapartmentontherighthandside,andwasdividedintotwoequalparts,formingacabinetandsleeping—room;alittleexternalgalleryservedforabathing—room:OppositetheEmperor’schamber,attheotherextremityofthebuilding,weretheapartmentsofMadameMontholon,herhusband,andherson,afterwardusedastheEmperorslibrary.Detachedfromthispartofthehousewasalittlesquareroomonthegroundfloor,contiguoustothekitchen,whichwasassignedtoLasCases.Thewindowsandbedshadnocurtains.Thefurniturewasmeanandscanty.Bertrandandhisfamilyresidedatadistanceoftwomiles,ataplacecalledRut’sGate.
GeneralGourgaudsleptunderatent,aswellasMr.O’Meara,andtheofficercommandingtheguard.Thehousewassurroundedbyagarden.Infront,andseparatedbyatolerablydeepravine,wasencampedthe53dRegiment,differentpartiesofwhichwerestationedontheneighbouringheights.
ThedomesticestablishmentoftheEmperorconsistedofelevenpersons.
TotheGrand—Marshalwasconfidedthegeneralsuperintendence;toM.deMontholonthedomesticdetails;LasCaseswastotakecareofthefurnitureandproperty,andGeneralGourgaudtohavethemanagementofthestables.Thesearrangements,however,produceddiscontentamongNapoleon’sattendants.LasCasesadmitsthattheywerenolongerthemembersofonefamily,eachusinghisbesteffortstopromotetheadvantageofall.Theywerefarfrompractisingthatwhichnecessitydictated.Hesaysalso,"TheAdmiralhasmorethanonce,inthemidstofourdisputeswithhim,hastilyexclaimedthattheEmperorwasdecidedlythemostgood—natured,just,andreasonableofthewholeset."
OnhisfirstarrivalhewenttovisitthebarracksoccupiedbysomeChineselivingontheisland,andaplacecalledLongwoodFarm.HecomplainedtoLasCasesthattheyhadbeenidleoflate;butbydegreestheirhoursandtheemploymentofthembecamefixedandregular.TheCampaignofItalybeingnowfinished,Napoleoncorrectedit,anddictatedonothersubjects.Thiswastheirmorning’swork.Theydinedbetweeneightandnine,MadameMontholonbeingseatedonNapoleon’sright;LasCasesonhisleft,andGourgaud,Montholon,andLasCases’sonsittingopposite.Thesmellofthepaintnotbeingyetgoneoff,theyremainednotmorethantenminutesattable,andthedessertwaspreparedintheadjoiningapartment,wherecoffeewasservedupandconversationcommenced.SceneswerereadfromMoliere,Racine,andVoltaire;andregretwasalwaysexpressedattheirnothavingacopyofCorneille.
Theythenplayedat’reversis’,whichhadbeenBonaparte’sfavouritegameinhisyouth.Therecollectionwasagreeabletohim,andhethoughthecouldamusehimselfatitforanylengthoftime,butwassoonundeceived.Hisaimwasalwaystomakethe’reversis’,thatis,towineverytrick.Characterisdisplayedinthesmallestincidents.
Napoleonreadalibelonhimself,andcontrastedthecomplimentswhichhadpassedbetweenhimandtheQueenofPrussiawiththebrutal—
behaviourascribedtohimintheEnglishnewspapers.Ontheotherhand,twocommonsailorshadatdifferenttimes,whilehewasatLongwoodandattheBriars,inspiteofordersandatallrisks,madetheirwaythroughthesentinelstogainasightofNapoleon.Onseeingtheinteresttheytookinhimheexclaimed,"Thisisfanaticism!Yes,imaginationrulestheworld!"
TheinstructionsoftheEnglishMinisterswithregardtothetreatmentofNapoleonatSt.Helenahadbeenpreparedwiththeviewcompletelytosecurehisperson.AnEnglishofficerwastobeconstantlyathistable.
Thisorder,however,wasnotcarriedintoeffect.AnofficerwasalsotoaccompanyNapoleoninallhisrides;thisorderwasdispensedwithwithincertainprescribedlimits,becauseNapoleonhadrefusedtorideatallonsuchconditions.Almosteverydaybroughtwithitsomenewcauseofuneasinessandcomplaint.SentinelswerepostedbeneathNapoleon’swindowsandbeforehisdoors.Thisorderwas,however,doubtlessgiventopreventhisbeingannoyedbyimpertinentcuriosity.TheFrenchwerecertainlyprecludedfromallfreecommunicationwiththeinhabitantsoftheisland;butthisprecautionwasofunquestionablenecessityforthesecurityoftheEmperor’sperson.LasCasescomplainsthatthepasswordswereperpetuallychanged,sothattheylivedinconstantperplexityandapprehensionofbeingsubjectedtosomeunforeseeninsult."Napoleon,"
hecontinues,"addressedacomplainttotheAdmiral,whichobtainedforhimnoredress.InthemidstofthesecomplaintstheAdmiralwishedtointroducesomeladies(whohadarrivedintheDoric)toNapoleon;buthedeclined,notapprovingthisalternationofaffrontsandcivilities."
He,however,consented,attherequestoftheirColonel,toreceivetheofficersofthe53dRegiment.Afterthisofficertookhisleave.
Napoleonprolongedhiswalkinthegarden.Hestoppedawhiletolookataflowerinoneofthebeds,andaskedhiscompanionifitwasnotalily.Itwasindeedamagnificentone.Thethoughtthathehadinhismindwasobvious.Hethenspokeofthenumberoftimeshehadbeenwounded;andsaidithadbeenthoughthehadnevermetwiththeseaccidentsfromhishavingkeptthemsecretasmuchaspossible.’
ItwasneartheendofDecember.Oneday,afterawalkandatumbleinthemud,BonapartereturnedandfoundapacketofEnglishnewspapers,whichtheGrand—Marshaltranslatedtohim.Thisoccupiedhimtilllate,andheforgothisdinnerindiscussingtheircontents.AfterdinnerhadbeenservedLasCaseswishedtocontinuethetranslation,butNapoleonwouldnotsufferhimtoproceed,fromconsiderationfortheweakstateofhiseyes."Wemustwaittillto—morrow,"saidhe.AfewdaysafterwardstheAdmiralcameinpersontovisithim,andtheinterviewwasanagreeableone.AftersomeanimateddiscussionitwasarrangedthatNapoleonshouldhenceforthridefreelyabouttheisland;thattheofficershouldfollowhimonlyatadistance;andthatvisitorsshouldbeadmittedtohim,notwiththepermissionoftheAdmiralastheInspectorofLongwood,butwiththatoftheGrand—Marshal,whowastodothehonoursoftheestablishment.Theseconcessionswere,however,soonrecalled.Onthe30thofthismonthPiontkowsky,aPole;whohadbeenleftbehind,butwhoseentreatiesprevailedupontheEnglishGovernment,joinedBonaparte.OnNew—Year’sDayalltheirlittlepartywascollectedtogether,andNapoleon,enteringintothefeelingsoftheoccasion,beggedthattheymightbreakfastandpassittogether.Everydayfurnishedsomenewtraitofthiskind.
Onthe14thofApril1816SirHudsonLowe,thenewGovernor,arrivedatSt.Helena.Thisepochisimportant,asmakingthebeginningofacontinuedseriesofaccusations,andcounter—accusations,bywhichthelastfiveyearsofNapoleon’slifewereconstantlyoccupied,tothegreatannoyanceofhimselfandallconnectedwithhim,andpossiblytotheshorteningofhisownexistence.
Itwouldbetedioustodetailtheprogressofthispettywar,but,asasubjectwhichhasformedsogreataportionofthelifeofNapoleon,itmustnotbeomitted.ToavoidanythingwhichmayappearlikeabiasagainstNapoleon,thedetails,unlesswhenotherwisementioned,willbederivedfromLasCases,hisdevotedadmirer.
OnthefirstvisitofthenewGovernor;whichwasthe16thofApril,Napoleonrefusedtoadmithim,becausehehimselfwasill,andalsobecausetheGovernorhadnotaskedbeforehandforanaudience.OnthesecondvisittheGovernor,wasadmittedtoanaudience,andNapoleonseemstohavetakenaprejudiceatfirstsight,asheremarkedtohissuitethattheGovernorwas"hideous,andhadamostuglycountenance,"
thoughheallowedheoughtnottojudgetoohastily.Thespiritofthepartywasshownbyaremarkmade,thatthefirsttwodayshadbeendaysofbattle.
TheGovernorsawNapoleonagainonthe30thApril,andtheinterviewwasstormy.NapoleonarguedwiththeGovernorontheconductoftheAlliestowardshim,saidtheyhadnorighttodisposeofhim,whowastheirequalandsometimestheirmaster.HethendeclaimedontheeternaldisgracetheEnglishhadinflictedonthemselvesbysendinghimtoSt.
Helena;theywishedtokillhimbyalingeringdeath:theirconductwasworsethanthatoftheCalabriansinshootingMurat.Hetalkedofthecowardlinessofsuicide,complainedofthesmallextentandhorridclimateofSt.Helena,andsaiditwouldbeanactofkindnesstodeprivehimoflifeatonce.SirH.Lowesaidthatahouseofwood,fittedupwitheverypossibleaccommodation,wasthenonitswayfromEnglandforhisuse.Napoleonrefuseditatonce,andexclaimedthatitwasnotahousebutanexecutionerandacoffinthathewanted;thehousewasamockery,deathwouldbeafavour.AfewminutesafterNapoleontookupsomereportsofthecampaignsof1814,whichlayonthetable,andaskedSirH.Loweifhehadwrittenthem.LasCases,aftersayingthattheGovernorrepliedintheaffirmative,finisheshisaccountoftheinterview,butaccordingtoO’Meara,Napoleonsaidtheywerefulloffollyandfalsehood.TheGovernor,withamuchmilderreplythanmostmenwouldhavegiven,retired,andNapoleonharangueduponthesinisterexpressionofhiscountenance,abusedhiminthecoarsestmanner,andmadehisservantthrowacupofcoffeeoutofthewindowbecauseithadstoodamomentonatableneartheGovernor.
ItwasrequiredthatallpersonswhovisitedatLongwoodoratHut’sGateshouldmakeareporttotheGovernor,ortoSirThomasReade,oftheconversationstheyhadheldwiththeFrench.SeveraladditionalsentinelswerepostedaroundLongwoodHouseandgrounds.
DuringsomeextremelywetandfoggyweatherNapoleondidnotgooutforseveraldays.MessengersandletterscontinuallysucceededoneanotherfromPlantationHouse.TheGovernorappearedanxioustoseeNapoleon,andwasevidentlydistrustful,althoughtheresidentsatLongwoodwereassuredofhisactualpresencebythesoundofhisvoice.HehadsomecommunicationswithCountBertrandonthenecessitythatoneofhisofficersshouldseeNapoleondaily.HealsowenttoLongwoodfrequentlyhimself,andfinally,aftersomedifficulty,succeededinobtaininganinterviewwithNapoleoninhisbedchamber,whichlastedaboutaquarterofanhour.SomedaysbeforehesentforMr.O’Meara,askedavarietyofquestionsconcerningthecaptive,walkedroundthehouseseveraltimesandbeforethewindows,measuringandlayingdowntheplanofanewditch,whichhesaidhewouldhaveduginordertopreventthecattlefromtrespassing.
Onthemorningofthe5thofMayNapoleonsentforhissurgeonO’Mearatocometohim.HewasintroducedintoNapoleon’sbed—chamber,adescriptionofwhichisthusgiven:"Itwasaboutfourteenfeetbytwelve,andtenorelevenfeetinheight.Thewallswerelinedwithbrownnankeen,borderedandedgedwithcommongreenborderingpaper,anddestituteofskirting.Twosmallwindowswithoutpulleys,oneofwhichwasthrownupandfastenedbyapieceofnotchedwood,lookedtowardsthecampofthe53dRegiment.Therewerewindow—curtainsofwhitelong—
cloth,asmallfire—place,ashabbygrateandfire—ironstomatch,withapaltrymantelpieceofwood,paintedwhite,uponwhichstoodasmallmarblebustofhisson.AbovethemantelpiecehungtheportraitofMariaLouisa,andfourorfiveofyoungNapoleon,oneofwhichwasembroideredbythehandsofhismother.AlittlemoretotherighthungalsotheportraitoftheEmpressJosephine;andtotheleftwassuspendedthealarmchamber—watchofFredericktheGreat,obtainedbyNapoleonatPotsdam;whileontherighttheConsularwatch,engravedwiththecipherB,hung,byachainoftheplaitedhairofMariaLouisa,fromapinstuckinthenankeenlining.Intheright—handcornerwasplacedthelittleplainironcamp—bedstead,withgreensilkcurtains,onwhichitsmasterhadreposedonthefieldsofMarengoandAusterlitz.Betweenthewindowstherewasachestofdrawers,andabookcasewithgreenblindsstoodontheleftofthedoorleadingtothenextapartment.Fourorfivecane—
bottomedchairspaintedgreenwerestandinghereandthereaboutthe.
room.Beforethebackdoortherewasascreencoveredwithnankeen,andbetweenthatandthefireplaceanold—fashionedsofacoveredwithwhitelong—cloth,onwhichNapoleonreclined,dressedinhiswhitemorning—
gown,whiteloosetrousersandstockingsallinone,achequeredredhandkerchiefuponhishead,andhisshirt—collaropenwithoutacravat.
Hissirwasmelancholyandtroubled.Beforehimstoodalittleroundtable,withsomebooks,atthefootofwhichlayinconfusionuponthecarpetaheapofthosewhichhehadalreadyperused,andattheoppositesideofthesofawassuspendedIsabey’sportraitoftheEmpressMariaLouisa,holdinghersoninherarms.InfrontofthefireplacestoodLasCaseswithhisarmsfoldedoverhisbreastandsomepapersinoneofhishands.OfalltheformermagnificenceoftheoncemightyEmperorofFrancenothingremainedbutasuperbwash—hand—standcontainingasilverbasinandwater—jugofthesamemetal,inthelefthandcorner."TheobjectofNapoleoninsendingforO’MearaonthisoccasionwastoquestionhimwhetherintheirfutureintercoursehewastoconsiderhiminthelightofaspyandatooloftheGovernororashisphysician?
Thedoctorgaveadecidedandsatisfactoryansweronthispoint.
"DuringtheshortinterviewthatthisGovernorhadwithmeinmybedchamber,oneofthefirstthingsheproposedwastosendyouaway,"
saidNapoleontoO’Meara,"andthatIshouldtakehisownsurgeoninyourplace.Thisherepeated,andsoearnestwashetogainhisobjectthat,thoughIgavehimaflatrefusal,whenhewasgoingoutheturnedaboutandagainproposedit."
Onthe11thaproclamationwasissuedbytheGovernor,"forbiddinganypersonsontheislandfromsendingletterstoorreceivingthemfromGeneralBonaparteorhissuite,onpainofbeingimmediatelyarrestedanddealtwithaccordingly."NothingescapedthevigilanceofSirHudsonLowe."TheGovernor,"saidNapoleon,"hasjustsentaninvitationtoBertrandforGeneralBonapartetocometoPlantationHousetomeetLadyMoira.ItoldBertrandtoreturnnoanswertoit.IfhereallywantedmetoseeherhewouldhaveputPlantationHousewithinthelimits,buttosendsuchaninvitation,knowingImustgoinchargeofaguardifI
wishedtoavailmyselfofit,wasaninsult."
SoonaftercametheDeclarationoftheAlliesandtheActsofParliamentauthorisingthedetentionofNapoleonBonaparteasaprisonerofwaranddisturberofthepeaceofEurope.AgainsttheBill,whenbroughtintotheHouseofLords,thereweretwoprotests,thoseofLordHollandandoftheDukeofSussex.TheseofficialdocumentsdidnottendtosoothethetemperorraisethespiritsoftheFrenchtoenduretheircaptivity.
Inadditiontothemiseryofhisowncaptivity,Napoleonhadtocontendwiththeunmanageablehumoursofhisownfollowers.Asoftenhappenswithmeninsuchcircumstances,theysometimesdisagreedamongthemselves,andpartoftheirpetulanceandill—temperfellupontheirChief.Hetooktheselittleincidentsdeeplytoheart.Ononeoccasionhesaidinbitterness,"IknowthatIamfallen;buttofeelthisamongyou!Iamawarethatmanisfrequentlyunreasonableandsusceptibleofoffence.Thus,whenIammistrustfulofmyselfIask,shouldIhavebeentreatedsoattheTuileries?Thisismytest."
AgreatdealofpainshasbeentakenbyNapoleon’sadherentsandotherstoblackenthecharacterofSirHudsonLowe,andtomakeitappearthathissoleobjectwastoharassNapoleonandtomakehislifemiserable.
Now,althoughitmaybequestionedwhetherSirHudsonLowewastheproperpersontobeplacedinthedelicatesituationofguardoverthefallenEmperor,thereisnodoubtthatquarrelsandcomplaintsbeganlongbeforethatofficerreachedtheisland;andthecharacterofthosecomplaintswillshowthatatbesttheprisonerswerepersonsverydifficulttosatisfy.TheirdetentionattheBriarswasoneofthefirstcausesofcomplaint.ItwasstatedthattheEmperorwasveryillthere,thathewasconfined"inacage"withnoattendance,thathissuitewaskeptfromhim,andthathewasdeprivedofexercise.AfewpagesfartherinthejournalofLasCaseswefindtheEmperoringoodhealth,andassoonasitwasannouncedthatLongwoodwasreadytoreceivehim,thenitwasurgedthatthegaolerswishedtocompelhimtogoagainsthiswill,thattheydesiredtopushtheirauthoritytotheutmost,thatthesmellofthepaintatLongwoodwasverydisagreeable,etc.Napoleonhimselfwasquitereadytogo,andseemedmuchvexedwhenCountBertrandandGeneralGourgaudarrivedfromLongwoodwiththeintelligencethattheplacewasasyetuninhabitable.Hisdispleasure,however,wasmuchmoreseriouslyexcitedbytheappearanceofCountMontholonwiththeinformationthatallwasreadyatLongwoodwithinafewminutesafterreceivingthecontraryaccountsfromBertrandandGourgaud.Heprobablyperceivedthathewastrifledwithbyhisattendants,whoendeavouredtomakehimbelievethatwhichsuitedtheirownconvenience.WemayalsoremarkthatthesystematicoppositionwhichwascarriedtosuchagreatlengthagainstSirHudsonLowehadbegunduringthestayofAdmiralCockburn.
Hisvisitswererefused;hewasaccusedofcaprice,arrogance,andimpertinence,andhewasnicknamed"theShark"byNapoleonhimself;hisowncalmnessaloneprobablypreventedmoreviolentebullitions.
Thewoodenhousearrivedatlast,andtheGovernorwaitedonNapoleontoconsultwithhimhowandwhereitshouldbeerected.LasCases,whoheardthedisputeinanadjoiningroom,saysthatitwaslongandclamorous.
HegivesthedetailsinNapoleon’sownwords,andwehaveheretheadvantageofcomparinghisstatementwiththeaccounttransmittedbySirHudsonLowetotheBritishGovernment,dated17thMay1816.Thetwoaccountsvarybutlittle.Napoleonadmitsthathewasthrownquiteoutoftemper,thathereceivedtheGovernorwithhisstormycountenance,lookedfuriouslyathim,andmadenoreplytohisinformationofthearrivalofthehousebutbyasignificantlook.Hetoldhimthathewantednothing,norwouldreceiveanythingathishands;thathesupposedhewastobeputtodeathbypoisonorthesword;thepoisonwouldbedifficulttoadminister,buthehadthemeansofdoingitwiththesword.
Thesanctuaryofhisabodeshouldnotbeviolated,andthetroopsshouldnotenterhishousebutbytramplingonhiscorpse.HethenalludedtoaninvitationsenttohimbySirHudsonLowstomeetLadyLoudonathishouse,andsaidtherecouldnotbeanactofmorerefinedcrueltythaninvitinghimtohistablebythetitleof"General,"tomakehimanobjectofridiculeoramusementtohisguests.Whatrighthadhetocallhim"General"Bonaparte?Hewouldnotbedeprivedofhisdignitybyhim,norbyanyoneintheworld.HecertainlyshouldhavecondescendedtovisitLadyLoudonhadshebeenwithinhislimits,ashedidnotstanduponstrictetiquettewithawoman,butheshouldhavedeemedthathewasconferringanhonouruponher.Hewouldnotconsiderhimselfaprisonerofwar,butwasplacedinhispresentpositionbythemosthorriblebreachoftrust.AfterafewmorewordshedismissedtheGovernorwithoutoncemorealludingtothehousewhichwastheobjectofthevisit.Thefateofthisunfortunatehousemaybementionedhere.Itwaserectedafteragreatmanydisputes,butwasunfortunatelysurroundedbyasunkfenceandornamentalrailing.ThiswasimmediatelyconnectedinNapoleon’smindwiththeideaofafortification;itwasimpossibletoremovetheimpressionthattheditchandpalisadewereintendedtosecurehisperson.Assoonastheobjectionwasmadeknown,SirHudsonLoweorderedthegroundtobelevelledandtherailstakenaway.ButbeforethiswasquitecompletedNapoleon’shealthwastoomuchdestroyedtopermithisremoval,andthehousewasneveroccupied.
Napoleonseemstohavefeltthathehadbeentooviolentinhisconduct.
Headmitted,whenattablewithhissuiteafewdaysafter,thathehadbehavedveryill,andthatinanyothersituationheshouldblushforwhathehaddone."Icouldhavewished,forhissake,"hesaid,"toseehimevincealittleanger,orpullthedoorviolentlyafterhimwhenhewentaway."ThesefewwordsletusintoagooddealofNapoleon’scharacter:helikedtointimidate,buthisvehementlanguagewasreceivedwithacalmnessandresoluteforbearancetowhichhewasquiteunaccustomed,andheconsequentlygrewmoreangryashisangerwaslessregarded.
ThespecimensheregivenofthedisputeswithSirHudsonLowemayprobablysuffice:agreatmanymorearefurnishedbyLasCases,O’Meara,andotherpartisansofNapoleon,andeventheyalwaysmakehimtheaggressor.Napoleonhimselfinhiscoolermomentsseemedtoadmitthis;
afterthemostviolentquarrelwiththeGovernor,thatofthe18thofAugust1816,whichutterlyputanendtoanythinglikedecentcivilitybetweentheparties;heallowedthathehadusedtheGovernorveryill,thatherepeatedlyandpurposelyoffendedhim,andthatSirHudsonLowehadnotinasingleinstanceshownawantofrespect,exceptperhapsthatheretiredtooabruptly.
Greatcomplaintsweremadeofthescantywayinwhichthetableoftheexileswassupplied;anditwasagainandagainallegedbythemthattheyhadscarcelyanythingtoeat.Thewine,too,wassaidtobeexecrable,sobadthatinfactitcouldnotbedrunk;and,ofsuchstuffasitwas,onlyonebottleadaywasallowedtoeachperson——anallowancewhichLasCasescallsridiculouslysmall.Thuspressed,butpartlyforeffect,Napoleonresolvedtodisposeofhisplateinmonthlyproportions;andasheknewthatsomeEastIndiacaptainshadofferedasmuchasahundredguineasforasingleplate,inordertopreserveamemorialofhim,hedeterminedthatwhatwassoldshouldbebrokenup,thearmserased,andnotraceleftwhichcouldshowthattheyhadeverbeenhis.Theonlyportionsleftuninjuredwerethelittleeagleswithwhichsomeofthedish—coversweremounted.TheselastfragmentswereobjectsofvenerationfortheattendantsofNapoleontheywerelookeduponasrelics,withafeelingatoncemelancholyandreligious.WhenthemomentcameforbreakinguptheplateLasCasesbearstestimonytothepainfulemotionsandrealgriefproducedamongtheservants.Theycouldnot,withouttheutmostreluctance,bringthemselvestoapplythehammertothoseobjectsoftheirveneration.
TheislandofSt.HelenawasregularlyvisitedbyEastIndiashipsonthereturnvoyage,whichtouchedtheretotakeinwater,andtoleavegunpowderfortheuseofthegarrison.Onsuchoccasionstherewerealwayspersonsanxioustopayavisittotherenownedcaptive.TheregulationofthosevisitswascalculatedtoprotectNapoleonfrombeingannoyedbytheidlecuriosityofstrangers,towhichheprofessedagreataversion.Suchpersonsaswishedtowaituponhimwere,inthefirstplace,obligedtoapplytotheGovernor,bywhomtheirnameswereforwardedtoCountBertrand.Thisgentleman,asGrand—Marshalofthehousehold,communicatedthewishesofthosepersonstoNapoleon,andincaseofafavourablereplyfixedthehourforaninterview.
ThosevisitorswhomNapoleonadmittedwerechieflypersonsofrankanddistinction,travellersfromdistantcountries,ormenwhohaddistinguishedthemselvesinthescientificworld,andwhocouldcommunicateinterestinginformationinexchangeforthegratificationtheyreceived.Someofthosepersonswhowereadmittedtointerviewswithhimhavepublishednarrativesoftheirconversation,andallagreeinextollingtheextremegrace,propriety,andappearanceofbenevolencemanifestedbyBonapartewhileholdingtheselevees.Hisquestionswerealwaysputwithgreattact,andonsomesubjectwithwhichthepersoninterrogatedwaswellacquainted,soastoinducehimtobringforthanyneworcuriousinformationofwhichhemightbepossessed.
CaptainBasilHall,inAugust1817,whenincommandoftheLyra,hadaninterviewwiththeEmperor,ofwhomhesays:"Bonapartestruckmeasdifferingconsiderablyfromthepicturesandbusts’Ihadseenofhim.
Hisfaceandfigurelookedmuchbroaderandmoresquare——larger,indeed,ineverywaythananyrepresentationIhadmetwith.Hiscorpulency,atthistimeuniversallyreportedtobeexcessive,wasbynomeansremarkable.Hisfleshlooked,onthecontrary,firmandmuscular.Therewasnottheleasttraceofcolourinhischeeks;infacthisskinwasmorelikemarblethanordinaryflesh.Notthesmallesttraceofawrinklewasdiscernibleonhisbrow,noranapproachtoafurrowonanypartofhiscountenance.Hishealthandspirits,judgingfromappearances,wereexcellent,thoughatthisperioditwasgenerallybelievedinEnglandthathewasfastsinkingunderacomplicationofdiseases,andthathisspiritswereentirelygone.Hismannerofspeakingwasratherslowthanotherwise,andperfectlydistinct;hewaitedwithgreatpatienceandkindnessformyanswerstohisquestions,andareferencetoCountBertrandwasnecessaryonlyonceduringthewholeconversation.Thebrilliantandsometimesdazzlingexpressionofhiseyecouldnotbeoverlooked.Itwasnot,however,apermanentlustre,foritwasonlyremarkablewhenhewasexcitedbysomepointofparticularinterest.Itisimpossibletoimagineanexpressionofmoreentiremildness,Imayalmostcallitofbenignityandkindness,thanthatwhichplayedoverhisfeaturesduringthewholeinterview.If,thereforehewereatthistimeoutofhealthandinlowspirits,hispowerofself—commandmusthavebeenevenmoreextraordinarythanisgenerallysupposed,forhiswholedeportment,hisconversation,andtheexpressionofhiscountenanceindicatedaframeinperfecthealthandamindatease."
ThemannerassumedbyNapoleonintheoccasionalinterviewshehadwithsuchvisitorswassoveryoppositetothatwhichheconstantlymaintainedtowardstheauthoritiesinwhosecustodyhewasplaced,thatwecanscarcelydoubthewasactingapartinoneofthosesituations.ItwassuggestedbyMr.Ellisthatheeitherwished,bymeansofhiscontinualcomplaints,tokeepalivehisinterestinEngland,whereheflatteredhimselftherewasapartyfavourabletohim,orthathistroubledmindfoundanoccupationintheannoyancewhichhecausedtotheGovernor.
EveryattemptatconciliationonthepartofSirHudsonLowefurnishedfreshcausesforirritation.Hesentfowling—piecestoLongwood,andthethanksreturnedwereareplyfromNapoleonthatitwasaninsulttosendfowling—pieceswheretherewasnogame.Aninvitationtoaballwasresentedvehemently,anddescanteduponbytheFrenchpartyasagreatoffence.SirHudsonLoweatonetimesentavarietyofclothesandotherarticlesreceivedfromEnglandwhichheimaginedmightbeusefulatLongwood.Greatoffencewastakenatthis;theyweretreated,theysaid,likepaupers;thearticles,oughttohavebeenleftattheGovernor’shouse,andalistsentrespectfullytothehousehold,statingthatsuchthingswereattheircommandiftheywantedthem.
AnopinionhasalreadybeenexpressedthatmuchofthisannoyancewasduetotheoffendedprideofNapoleon’sattendants,whowereatfirstcertainlyfarmorecaptiousthanhimself.HeadmittedasmuchhimselfononeoccasioninaconversationwithO’Meara.Hesaid,"LasCasescertainlywasgreatlyirritatedagainstSirHudson,andcontributedmateriallytowardsformingtheimpressionsexistinginmymind."HeattributedthistothesensitivemindofLasCases,whichhesaidwaspeculiarlyalivetotheill—treatmentNapoleonandhimselfhadbeensubjectedto.SirHudsonLowealsofeltthis,andremarked,likeSirGeorgeCockburn,onmorethanoneoccasion,thathealwaysfoundNapoleonhimselfmorereasonablethanthepersonsabouthim.
AfertilesourceofannoyancewastheresolutionofNapoleonnotuponanytermstoacknowledgehimselfaprisoner,andhisrefusaltosubmittosuchregulationsaswouldrenderhiscaptivitylessburdensome.Morethanoncetheattendanceofanofficerwasofferedtobediscontinuedifhewouldallowhimselftobeseenonceeveryday,andpromisetotakenomeansofescaping."Ifheweretogivemethewholeoftheisland,"saidNapoleon,"onconditionthatIwouldpledgemywordnottoattemptanescape,Iwouldnotacceptit;becauseitwouldbeequivalenttoacknowledgingmyselfaprisoner,althoughatthesametimeIwouldnotmaketheattempt.Iamherebyforce,andnotbyright.IfIhadbeentakenatWaterlooperhapsImighthavehadnohesitationinacceptingit,althougheveninthatcaseitwouldbecontrarytothelawofnations,asnowthereisnowar.IftheyweretooffermepermissiontoresideinEnglandonsimilarconditionsIwouldrefuseit."Theveryideaofexhibitinghimselftoanofficereveryday,thoughbutforamoment,wasrepelledwithindignation.Heevenkeptloadedpistolstoshootanypersonwhoshouldattemptanintrusiononhisprivacy.ItisstatedinanoteinO’Meara’sjournalthat"theEmperorwassofirmlyimpressedwiththeideathatanattemptwouldbemadeforciblytointrudeonhisprivacy,thatfromashorttimeafterthedepartureofSirGeorgeCockburnhealwayskeptfourorfivepairsofloadedpistolsandsomeswordsinhisapartment,withwhichhewasdeterminedtodespatchthefirstwhoenteredagainsthiswill."Itseemsthispracticewascontinuedtohisdeath.
NapoleoncontinuedtopassthemorningsindictatinghisMemoirsandtheeveningsinreadingorconversation.HegrewfonderofRacine,buthisfavouritewasCorneille.Herepeatedthat,hadhelivedinhistime,hewouldhavemadehimaprince.HehadadistastetoVoltaire,andfoundconsiderablefaultwithhisdramas,perhapsjustly,asconveyingopinionsratherthansentiments.HecriticisedhisMahomet,andsaidhehadmadehimmerelyanimpostorandatyrant,withoutrepresentinghimasagreatman.ThiswasowingtoVoltaire’sreligiousandpoliticalantipathies;
forthosewhoarefreefromcommonprejudicesacquireothersoftheirownintheirstead,towhichtheyareequallybigoted,andwhichtheybringforwardonalloccasions.Whentheeveningpassedoffinconversationwithouthavingrecoursetobooksheconsidereditapointgained.
SomeonehavingaskedtheEmperorwhichwasthegreatestbattlethathehadfought,hereplieditwasdifficulttoanswerthatquestionwithoutinquiringwhatwasimpliedbythegreatestbattle."Mine,"continuedhe,"cannotbejudgedofseparately:theyformedaportionofextensiveplans.Theymustthereforebeestimatedbytheirconsequences.ThebattleofMarengo,whichwassolongundecided,procuredforusthecommandofallItaly.Ulmannihilatedawholearmy;JenalaidthewholePrussianmonarchyatourfeet;FriedlandopenedtheRussianempiretous;
andEckmuhldecidedthefateofawar.ThebattleoftheMoskwawasthatinwhichthegreatesttalentwasdisplayed,andbywhichweobtainedthefewestadvantages.Waterloo,whereeverythingfailed,would,hadvictorycrownedourefforts,havesavedFranceandgivenpeacetoEurope."
MadameMontholonhavinginquiredwhattroopsheconsideredthebest,"Thosewhicharevictorious,madam,"repliedtheEmperor."But,"addedhe,soldiersarecapriciousandinconstant,likeyouladies.ThebesttroopsweretheCarthaginiansunderHannibal,theRomansundertheScipios,theMacedoniansunderAlexander,andthePrussiansunderFrederick."Hethought,however,thattheFrenchsoldierswereofallothersthosewhichcouldmosteasilyberenderedthebest,andpreservedso.Withmycompleteguardof40,000or50,000menIwouldhaveundertakentomarchthroughEurope.ItisperhapspossibletoproducetroopsasgoodasthosethatcomposedmyarmyofItalyandAusterlitz,butcertainlynonecaneversurpassthem."
TheanniversaryofthebattleofWaterlooproducedavisibleimpressionontheEmperor."Incomprehensibleday!"saidhe,dejectedly;
"concurrenceofunheard—offatalities!Grouchy,Ney,D’Erlon——wastheretreacheryorwasitmerelymisfortune?Alas!poorFrance!"Herehecoveredhiseyeswithhishands."Andyet,"saidhe,"allthathumanskillcoulddowasaccomplished!Allwasnotlostuntilthemomentwhenallhadsucceeded."Ashorttimeafterwards,resumingthesubject,heexclaimed,"Inthatextraordinarycampaign,thrice,inlessthanaweek,IsawthecertaintriumphofFranceslipthroughmyfingers.HaditnotbeenforatraitorIshouldhaveannihilatedtheenemyattheoutsetofthecampaign.IshouldhavedestroyedhimatLignyifmyleftwinghadonlydoneitsduty.IshouldhavedestroyedhimagainatWaterlooifmyrighthadsecondedme.Singulardefeat,bywhich,notwithstandingthemostfatalcatastrophe,thegloryoftheconqueredhasnotsuffered."
WeshallheregiveNapoleon’sownopinionofthebattleofWaterloo.
"Theplanofthebattle,"saidhe,"willnotintheeyesofthehistorianreflectanycreditonLordWellingtonasageneral.Inthefirstplace,heoughtnottohavegivenbattlewiththearmiesdivided.
Theyoughttohavebeenunitedandencampedbeforethe15th.Inthenext,thechoiceofgroundwasbad;becauseifhehadbeenbeatenhecouldnothaveretreated,astherewasonlyoneroadleadingthroughtheforestinhisrear.Healsocommittedafaultwhichmighthaveprovedthedestructionofallhisarmy,withoutitseverhavingcommencedthecampaign,orbeingdrawnoutinbattle;heallowedhimselftobesurprised.Onthe15thIwasatCharleroi,andhadbeatenthePrussianswithouthisknowinganythingaboutit.Ihadgainedforty—eighthoursofmanoeuvresuponhim,whichwasagreatobject;andifsomeofmygeneralshadshownthatvigourandgeniuswhichtheyhaddisplayedonotheroccasions,Ishouldhavetakenhisarmyincantonmentswithouteverfightingabattle.Buttheywerediscouraged,andfanciedthattheysawanarmyof100,000meneverywhereopposedtothem.Ihadnottimeenoughmyselftoattendtotheminutiaeofthearmy.IcounteduponsurprisingandcuttingWellingtonupindetail.IknewofBulow’sarrivalateleveno’clock,butIdidnotregardit.Ihadstilleightychancesoutofahundredinmyfavour.NotwithstandingthegreatsuperiorityofforceagainstmeIwasconvincedthatIshouldobtainthevictory,Ihadabout70,000men,ofwhom15,000werecavalry.Ihadalso260piecesofcannon;butmytroopsweresogoodthatIesteemedthemsufficienttobeat120,000.Ofallthosetroops,however,IonlyreckonedtheEnglishasbeingabletocopewithmyown.TheothersIthoughtlittleof.
IbelievethatofEnglishtherewerefrom35,000to40,000.TheseI
esteemedtobeasbraveandasgoodasmyowntroops;theEnglisharmywaswellknownlatterlyontheContinent,andbesides,yournationpossessescourageandenergy.AstothePrussians,Belgians,andothers,halfthenumberofmytroops,weresufficienttobeatthem.Ionlyleft34,000mentotakecareofthePrussians.Thechiefcausesofthelossofthatbattlewere,firstofall,Grouchy’sgreattardinessandneglectinexecutinghisorders;next,the’grenadiersacheval’andthecavalryunderGeneralGuyot,whichIhadinreserve,andwhichwerenevertoleaveme,engagedwithoutordersandwithoutmyknowledge;sothatafterthelastcharge,whenthetroopswerebeatenandtheEnglishcavalryadvanced,Ihadnotasinglecorpsofcavalryinreservetoresistthem,insteadofonewhichIesteemedtobeequaltodoubletheirownnumber.
InconsequenceofthistheEnglishattacked,succeeded,andallwaslost.
Therewasnomeansofrallying.Theyoungestgeneralwouldnothavecommittedthefaultofleavinganarmyentirelywithoutreserve,which,however,occurredhere,whetherinconsequenceoftreasonornotIcannotsay.ThesewerethetwoprincipalcausesofthelossofthebattleofWaterloo."
"IfLordWellingtonhadintrenchedhimself,"continuedNapoleon,"Iwouldnothaveattackedhim.Asageneral,hisplandidnotshowtalent.
Hecertainlydisplayedgreatcourageandobstinacy;butalittlemustbetakenawayevenfromthatwhenyouconsiderthathehadnomeansofretreat,andthathadhemadetheattemptnotamanofhisarmywouldhaveescaped.First,tothefirmnessandbraveryofhistroops,fortheEnglishfoughtwiththegreatestcourageandobstinacy,heisprincipallyindebtedforthevictory,andnottohisownconductasageneral;andnext,tothearrivalofBlucher,towhomthevictoryismoretobeattributedthantoWellington,andmorecreditisdueasageneral;
becausehe,althoughbeatenthedaybefore,assembledhistroops,andbroughtthemintoactionintheevening.Ibelieve,however,"continuedNapoleon,"thatWellingtonisamanofgreatfirmness.Thegloryofsuchavictoryisagreatthing;butintheeyeofthehistorianhismilitaryreputationwillgainnothingbyit."
"Ialwayshadahighopinionofyourseamen,"saidNapoleononedaytoO’Meara,inaconversationarisingoutoftheexpeditiontoAlgiers.
"WhenIwasreturningfromHollandalongwiththeEmpressMariaLouisawestoppedtorestatGivet.Duringthenightaviolentstormofwindandraincameon,whichswelledtheMeusesomuchthatthebridgeofboatsoveritwascarriedaway.Iwasveryanxioustodepart,andorderedalltheboatmenintheplacetobeassembledthatImightbeenabledtocrosstheriver.Theysaidthatthewatersweresohighthatitwouldbeimpossibletopassbeforetwoorthreedays.Iquestionedsomeofthem,andsoondiscoveredthattheywerefresh—waterseamen.IthenrecollectedthattherewereEnglishprisonersinthebarracks,andorderedthatsomeoftheoldestandbestseamenamongthemshouldbebroughtbeforemetothebanksoftheriver.Thewaterswereveryhigh,andthecurrentrapidanddangerous.IaskedthemiftheycouldjoinanumberofboatstogethersothatImightpassover.Theyansweredthatitwaspossible,buthazardous.Idesiredthemtosetaboutitinstantly.Inthecourseofafewhourstheysucceededineffectingwhattheothershadpronouncedtobeimpossible,andIcrossedbeforetheeveningwasover.Iorderedthosewhohadworkedatittoreceiveasumofmoneyeach,asuitofclothes,andtheirliberty.Marchandwaswithmeatthetime."
InDecember1816LasCaseswascompelledtoleaveSt.Helena.HehadwrittenalettertoLucienBonaparte,andentrustedittoamulattoservanttobeforwardedtoEurope.Hewasdetected;andashewasthusendeavouringtocarryon(contrarytotheregulationsoftheisland)aclandestinecorrespondencewithEurope,LasCasesandhissonweresentoff,firsttotheCapeandthentoEngland,wheretheywereonlyallowedtolandtobesenttoDoverandshippedofftoOstend.
NotlongaftertheirarrivalatSt.Helena,MadameBertrandgavebirthtoason,andwhenNapoleonwenttovisithershesaid,"IhavethehonourofpresentingtoyourMajestythefirstFrenchsubjectwhohasenteredLongwoodwithoutthepermissionofLordBathurst."