IthasbeengenerallysupposedthatNapoleonwasabelieverinthedoctrineofpredestination.ThefollowingconversationwithLasCasesclearlydecidesthatpoint.\"Pray,\"saidhe,\"amInotthoughttobegiventoabeliefinpredestination?\"——\"Yes,Sire;atleastbymanypeople.\"——\"Well,well!letthemsaywhattheyplease,onemaysometimesbetemptedtosetapart,anditmayoccasionallybeuseful.Butwhataremen?Howmucheasierisittooccupytheirattentionandtostriketheirimaginationsbyabsurditiesthanbyrationalideas!Butcanamanofsoundsenselistenforonemomenttosuchadoctrine?Eitherpredestinationadmitstheexistenceoffree—will,oritrejectsit.
Ifitadmitsit,whatkindofpredeterminedresultcanthatbewhichasimpleresolution,astep,aword,mayalterormodifyadinfinitum?
Ifpredestination,onthecontrary,rejectstheexistenceoffree—willitisquiteanotherquestion;inthatcaseachildneedonlybethrownintoitscradleassoonasitisborn,thereisnonecessityforbestowingtheleastcareuponit,forifitbeirrevocablydecreedthatitistolive,itwillgrowthoughnofoodshouldbegiventoit.Youseethatsuchadoctrinecannotbemaintained;predestinationisbutawordwithoutmeaning.TheTurksthemselves,theprofessorsofpredestination,arenotconvincedofthedoctrine,forinthatcasemedicinewouldnotexistinTurkey,andamanresidinginathirdfloorwouldnottakethetroubleofgoingdownstairs,butwouldimmediatelythrowhimselfoutofthewindow.
Youseetowhatastringofabsurditiesthatwilllead?\"
Thefollowingtraitsarecharacteristicoftheman.Inthecommonintercourseoflife,andhisfamiliarconversation,Napoleonmutilatedthenamesmostfamiliartohim,evenFrenchnames;yetthiswouldnothaveoccurredonanypublicoccasion.HehasbeenheardmanytimesduringhiswalkstorepeatthecelebratedspeechofAugustusinCorneille’stragedy,andhehasnevermissedsaying,\"Takeaseat,Sylla,\"insteadofCinna.Hewouldfrequentlycreatenamesaccordingtohisfancy,andwhenhehadonceadoptedthemtheyremainedfixedinhismind,althoughtheywerepronouncedproperlyahundredtimesadayinhishearing;buthewouldhavebeenstruckifothershadusedthemashehadalteredthem.Itwasthesamethingwithrespecttoorthography;ingeneralhedidnotattendtoit,yetifthecopieswhichweremadecontainedanyfaultsofspellinghewouldhavecomplainedofit.OnedayNapoleonsaidtoLasCases,\"Yourorthographyisnotcorrect,isit?\"
Thisquestiongaveoccasiontoasarcasticsmilefromapersonwhostoodnear,whothoughtitwasmeanttoconveyareproach.TheEmperor,whosawthis,continued,\"AtleastIsupposeitisnot,foramanoccupiedwithimportantpublicbusiness,aminister,forinstance,cannotandneednotattendtoorthography.Hisideasmustflowfasterthanhishandcantracethem,hehasonlytimetodwelluponessentials;hemustputwordsinletters,andphrasesinwords,andletthescribesmakeitoutafterwards.\"Napoleonindeedleftagreatdealforthecopyiststodo;
hewastheirtorment;hishandwritingactuallyresembledhieroglyphics——
heoftencouldnotdecipherithimself.LasCases’sonwasonedayreadingtohimachapterofTheCampaignofItaly;onasuddenhestoppedshort,unabletomakeoutthewriting.\"Thelittleblockhead,\"saidNapoleon,\"cannotreadhisownhandwriting.\"——\"Itisnotmine,Sire.\"——
\"Andwhose,then?\"——\"YourMajesty’s.\"——\"Howso,youlittlerogue;doyoumeantoinsultme?\"TheEmperortookthemanuscript,triedalongwhiletoreadit,andatlastthrewitdown,saying,\"Heisright;Icannottellmyselfwhatiswritten.\"HehasoftensentthecopyiststoLasCasestoreadwhathehadhimselfbeenunabletodecipher.
WearenowapproachingthelastmelancholyepochofNapoleon’slife,whenhefirstfelttheravagesofthatmaladywhichfinallyputaperiodtohisexistence.Occasionalmanifestationsofitspresencehadbeenexhibitedforsomeyears,buthisusualhealthalwaysreturnedaftereveryattack,anditsfatalnaturewasnotsuspected,althoughNapoleonhimselfhadseveraltimessaidthatheshoulddieofascirrhusinthepylorus,thediseasewhichkilledhisfather,andwhichthephysiciansofMontpelierdeclaredwouldbehereditaryinhisfamily.Aboutthemiddleoftheyear1818itwasobservedthathishealthgrewgraduallyworse,anditwasthoughtproperbyO’MearatoreporttotheGovernorthestateinwhichhewas.EvenontheseoccasionsNapoleonseizedtheopportunityforrenewinghisclaimtothetitleofEmperor.HeinsistedthatthephysicianshouldnotsendanybulletinwhateverunlesshenamedhiminitbyhisImperialdesignation.O’MearaexplainedthattheinstructionsofhisGovernmentandtheordersofSirHudsonLoweprohibitedhimfromusingtheterm;butitwasinvain.Aftersomedifficultyitwasagreeduponthattheword\"patient\"shouldbeusedinsteadofthetitleofGeneral,whichcausedsomuchoffence,andthissubstitutiongotridofthedifficulty.
O’MearaafterwardsproposedtocallintheassistanceofDr.Baxter,theprincipalmedicalofficeroftheisland,butthisofferNapoleonrefusedatonce,allegingthat,although\"itwastruehelookedlikeanhonestman,hewastoomuchattachedtothathangman\"(Lows),healsopersistedinrejectingtheaidofmedicine,anddeterminedtotakenoexerciseout—
of—doorsaslongasheshouldbesubjectedtothechallengeofsentinels.
Toarepresentationthathisdeterminationmightconvertacurabletoafatalmalady,hereplied,\"IshallatleasthavetheconsolationthatmydeathwillbeaneternaldishonourtotheEnglishnationwhosentmetothisclimatetodieunderthehandsof\"
AnimportantincidentinNapoleon’smonotonouslifewastheremovalofO’Meara,whohadattendedhimashisphysicianfromthetimeofhisarrivalontheisland.Theremovalofthisgentleman,wasoccasionedbythesuspicionofsimilarconducttothatwhichbroughtaboutthedismissalofLasCasestwentymonthspreviously,namely,thecarryingonsecretcorrespondencewithpersonsoutoftheisland.Napoleoncomplainedbitterlyofthelossofhismedicalattendant,thoughhehadmostassuredlyveryseldomattendedtohisadvice,andrepelledasaninsulttheprofferedassistanceofDr.Baxter,insinuatingthattheGovernorwishedtohavehislifeinhispower.SometimeafterDr.
Stokes,anavalsurgeon,wascalledin,butwithdrawnandeventuallytriedbycourt—martialforfurnishinginformationtotheFrenchatLongwood.AfterthisNapoleonexpressedhisdeterminationtoadmitnomorevisitsfromanyEnglishphysicianwhatever,andCardinalFeschwasrequestedbytheBritishMinistrytoselectsomephysicianofreputationinItalywhoshouldbesenttoSt.HelenatoattendonNapoleon.ThechoicefellonDr.Antommarchi,ayoungsurgeon,whowasaccordinglysenttoSt.HelenaincompanywithtwoCatholicpriests,theAbbesBuonavitaandVignale,andtwodomestics,incompliancewiththewishofNapoleontothateffect.Thepartyreachedtheislandon10thSeptember1819.
OnhisfirstvisittheEmperoroverwhelmedAntommarchiwithquestionsconcerninghismotherandfamily,thePrincessJulie(wifeofJoseph),andLasCases,whomAntommarchihadseeninpassingthroughFrankfort,expatiatedwithsatisfactionontheretreatwhichhehadatonetimemeditatedinCorsica,enteredintosomediscussionswiththedoctoronhisprofession,andthendirectedhisattentiontothedetailsofhisdisorder.WhileheexaminedthesymptomstheEmperorcontinuedhisremarks.Theyweresometimesserious,sometimeslively;kindness,indignation,gaiety,wereexpressedbyturnsinhiswordsandinhiscountenance.\"Well,doctor!\"heexclaimed,\"whatisyouropinion?AmI
totroublemuchlongerthedigestionofKings?\"——\"Youwillsurvivethem,Sire.\"——\"Aye,Ibelieveyou;theywillnotbeabletosubjecttothebanofEuropethefameofourvictories,itwilltraverseages,itwill.
proclaimtheconquerorsandtheconquered,thosewhoweregenerousandthosewhowerenotso;posteritywilljudge,Idonotdreaditsdecision.\"——\"Thisafter—lifebelongstoyouofright.Yournamewillneverberepeatedwithadmirationwithoutrecallingthoseingloriouswarriorssobaselyleaguedagainstasingleman.Butyouarenotnearyourend,youhaveyetalongcareertorun.\"——\"No,Doctor!Icannotholdoutlongunderthisfrightfulclimate.\"——\"Yourexcellentconstitutionisproofagainstitsperniciouseffects.\"——\"Itoncedidnotyieldtothestrengthofmindwithwhichnaturehasendowedme,butthetransitionfromalifeofactiontoacompleteseclusionhasruinedall.
Ihavegrownfat,myenergyisgone,thebowisunstrung.\"Antommarchididnottrytocombatanopinionbuttoowell—founded,butdivertedtheconversationtoanothersubject.\"Iresignmyself,\"saidNapoleon,\"toyourdirection.Letmedicinegivetheorder,Isubmittoitsdecisions.
Ientrustmyhealthtoyourcare.IoweyouthedetailofthehabitsI
haveacquired,oftheaffectionstowhichIamsubject.
\"ThehoursatwhichIobeytheinjunctionsofnatureareingeneralextremelyirregular.Isleep,IeataccordingtocircumstancesorthesituationinwhichIamplaced;mysleepisordinarilysoundandtranquil.IfpainoranyaccidentinterruptitIjumpoutofbed,callforalight,walk,settowork,andfixmyattentiononsomesubject;
sometimesIremaininthedark,changemyapartment,liedowninanotherbed,orstretchmyselfonthesofa.Iriseattwo,three,orfourinthemorning;Icallforsomeonetokeepmecompany,amusemyselfwithrecollectionsorbusiness,andwaitforthereturnofday.Igooutassoonasdawnappears,takeastroll,andwhenthesunshowsitselfI
reenterandgotobedagain,whereIremainalongerorshortertime,accordingasthedaypromisestoturnout.Ifitisbad,andIfeelirritationanduneasiness,IhaverecoursetothemethodIhavejustmentioned.Ichangemyposture,passfrommybedtothesofa,fromthesofatothebed,seekandfindadegreeoffreshness.Idonotdescribetoyoumymorningcostume;ithasnothingtodowiththesufferingsI
endure,andbesides,Idonotwishtodepriveyouofthepleasureofyoursurprisewhenyouseeit.Theseingeniouscontrivancescarrymeontonineorteno’clock,sometimeslater.Ithenorderthebreakfasttobebrought,whichItakefromtimetotimeinmybath,butmostfrequentlyinthegarden.EitherBertrandorMontholonkeepmecompany,oftenbothofthem.Physicianshavetherightofregulatingthetable;itisproperthatIshouldgiveyouanaccountofmine.Well,then,abasinofsoup,twoplatesofmeat,oneofvegetables,asaladwhenIcantakeit,composethewholeservice;halfabottleofclaret;whichIdilutewithagooddealofwater,servesmefordrink;Idrinkalittleofitpuretowardstheendoftherepast.Sometimes,whenIfeelfatigued,I
substitutechampagneforclaret,itisacertainmeansofgivingafilliptothestomach.\"
ThedoctorhavingexpressedhissurpriseatNapoleon’stemperance,hereplied,\"InmymarcheswiththearmyofItalyIneverfailedtoputintothebowofmysaddleabottleofwine,somebread,andacoldfowl.Thisprovisionsufficedforthewantsoftheday,——ImayevensaythatIoftenshareditwithothers.Ithusgainedtime.Ieatfast,masticatelittle,mymealsdonotconsumemyhours.Thisisnotwhatyouwillapprovethemost,butinmypresentsituationwhatsignifiesit?Iamattackedwithalivercomplaint,amaladywhichisgeneralinthishorribleclimate.\"
Antommarchi,havinggainedhisconfidence,nowbecamecompanionaswellasphysiciantotheEmperor,andsometimesreadwithhim.Heeagerlyturnedoverthenewspaperswhentheyarrived,andcommentedfreelyontheircontents.\"Itisamusing,\"hewouldsay,\"toseethesagemeasuresresortedtobytheAlliestomakepeopleforgetmytyranny!\"Ononeoccasionhefeltmorelanguidthanordinary,andlightingonthe’Andromache’ofRacine;hetookupthebook,begantoread,butsoonletitdropfromhishands.Hehadcometothefamouspassagewherethemotherdescribesherbeingallowedtoseehersononceaday.
Hewasmoved,coveredhisfacewithhishands,and,sayingthathewastoomuchaffected,desiredtobeleftalone.Hegrewcalmer,fellasleep,andwhenheawoke,desiredAntommarchitobecalledagain.Hewasgettingreadytoshave,andthedoctorwascurioustowitnesstheoperation.Hewasinhisshirt,hisheaduncovered,withtwovaletsathisside,oneholdingtheglassandatowel,theothertherestoftheapparatus.TheEmperorspreadthesoapoveronesideofhisface,putdownthebrush,wipedhishandsandmouth,tookarazordippedinhotwaterandshavedtherightsidewithsingulardexterity.\"Isitdone,Noverraz?\"——\"Yes,Sire.\"——\"Well,then,faceabout.Come,villain,quick,standstill.\"Thelightfellontheleftside,which,afterapplyingthelather,heshavedinthesamemannerandwiththesamedexterity.Hedrewhishandoverhischin.\"Raisetheglass.AmIquiteright?\"——
\"Quiteso.\"——\"Notahairhasescapedme:whatsayyou?\"——\"No,Sire,\"
repliedthevaletdechambre.\"No!IthinkIperceiveone.Liftuptheglass,placeitinabetterlight.How,rascal!Flattery?YoudeceivemeatSt.Helena?Onthisrock?You,too,areanaccomplice.\"Withthishegavethembothaboxontheear,laughed,andjokedinthemostpleasantmannerpossible.
AnalmostincredibleinstanceofthedeterminationoftheexilestomakeasmanyenemiesastheypossiblycouldwasexhibitedtoAntommarchionhisarrivalatLongwood.HestatesthatbeforehewaspermittedtoenteronhisfunctionsassurgeonhewasrequiredtotakeanoaththathewouldnotcommunicatewiththeEnglish,andthathewouldmoreespeciallyavoidgivingthemtheleastinformationrespectingtheprogressofNapoleon’sdisorder.Hewasnotallowedtoseehisillustriouspatientuntiltheoathwastaken.AfterexactingsuchanoathfromhisphysiciantheattendantsofBonapartehadlittlerighttocomplain,astheydid,thattherealstateofhisdisorderwaspurposelyconcealedfromtheworldbytheEnglishGovernment.Itismorethanprobablethattheconstantattemptsobservedtothrowmysteryandsecrecyaroundthemmusthavetendedtocreatethesuspicionofescape,andtoincreasetheconsequentrigouroftheregulationsmaintainedbytheGovernor.
SoonafterthearrivalofthepriestsNapoleondetermined,wemaysupposepartlyinjest,toelevateoneofthemtothedignityofbishop,andhechoseforadiocesetheJumna.\"ThelastboxbroughtfromEuropehadbeenbrokenopen,\"saysAntommarchi;\"itcontainedthevasesandchurchornaments.\"Stop,\"saidNapoleon,\"thisisthepropertyofSt.Peter;
haveacarewhotouchesit;sendfortheabbes——buttalkingoftheabbes,doyouknowthattheCardinal[Fesch]isapoorcreature?Hesendsmemissionariesandpropagandists,asifIwereapenitent,andasifawholestringoftheirEminenceshadnotalwaysattendedatmychapel.
Iwilldowhatheoughttohavedone;Ipossesstherightofinvestiture,andIshalluseit.AbbeBuonavitawasjustenteringtheroom,`Igiveyoutheepiscopalmitre.’——’Sire!’——’Irestoreittoyou;youshallwearitinspiteoftheheretics;theywillnotagaintakeitfromyou.’——
’But,Sire!’——’IcannotaddtoitsorichabeneficeasthatofValencia,whichSuchethadgivenyou,butatanyrateyourseeshallbesecurefromthechancesofbattles.IappointyouBishopof——letmesee——oftheJumna.Thevastcountriesthroughwhichthatriverflowswereonthepointofenteringintoalliancewithme——allwasinreadiness,allweregoingtomarch.WewereabouttogivethefinishingblowtoEngland.\"
ThespeechconcludedwithanordertoCountMontholontoprocurethenecessarydressfortheabbeinordertostrikewithawealltheheretics.Theupshotofthewholewas,thatthescarletandvioletcolouredclothesnecessarytofurnishthenewbishopwiththeonlyvaluableportionofhistemporalities,hisdress,couldnotbeprocuredintheisland,andtheabberemainedanabbeinspiteoftheinvestiture,andthewholefarcewasforgotten.
WeoccasionallyseetheExileinbettermoods,whenhelistenedtothevoiceofreason,andthoughtlessoftheannoyancesinseparablefromthestatetowhichhisambition,orashehimselfalwaysaverred,hisdestiny,hadreducedhim.Hehadforalongtimedebarredhimselffromallexercise,having,asheexpressedit,determinednottoexposehimselftotheinsultofbeingaccompaniedonhisridebyaBritishofficer;orthepossibilityofbeingchallengedbyasentinel.Onedaywhenhecomplainedofhisinactivelifehismedicalattendantrecommendedtheexerciseofdiggingtheground;theideawasinstantlyseizeduponbyNapoleonwithhischaracteristicardour.Noverraz,hischasseur,whohadbeenformerlyaccustomedtoruraloccupations,washonouredwiththetitleofheadgardener,andunderhisdirectionsNapoleonproceededtoworkwithgreatvigour.HesentforAntommarchitowitnesshisnewlyacquireddexterityintheuseofthespade.\"Well,Doctor,\"saidhetohim,\"areyousatisfiedwithyourpatient——isheobedientenough?Thisisbetterthanyourpills,Dottoraccio;youshallnotphysicmeanymore.\"Atfirsthesoongotfatigued,andcomplainedmuchoftheweaknessofhisbodyanddelicacyofhishands;but\"nevermind,\"saidhe,\"Ihavealwaysaccustomedmybodytobendtomywill,andIshallbringittodosonow,andinureittotheexercise.\"Hesoongrewfondofhisnewemployment,andpressedalltheinhabitantsofLongwoodintotheservice.Eventheladieshadgreatdifficultytoavoidbeingsettowork.Helaughedatthem,urgedthem,entreatedthem,andusedallhisartsofpersuasion,particularlywithMadameBertrand.Heassuredherthattheexerciseofgardeningwasmuchbetterthanallthedoctor’sprescriptions——thatitwasinfactoneofhisprescriptions.Butinthisinstancehiseloquencefailedinitseffect,andhewasobliged,thoughwithmuchreluctance,todesistfromhisattemptstomakeladygardeners.
Butinrecompensehehadwillinglabourersonthepartofthegentlemen.
Antommarchisays,\"TheEmperorurgedus,excitedus,andeverythingaroundussoonassumedadifferentaspect.Herewasanexcavation,thereabasinoraroad.Wemadealleys,grottoes,cascades;theappearanceofthegroundhadnowsomelifeanddiversity.Weplantedwillows,oaks,peach—trees,togivealittleshaderoundthehouse.Havingcompletedtheornamentalpartofourlaboursweturnedtotheuseful.Wedividedtheground,wemanuredit,andsoweditwithabundanceofbeans,peas,andeveryvegetablethatgrowsintheisland.\"Inthecourseoftheirlabourstheyfoundthatatankwouldbeofgreatusetoholdwater,whichmightbebroughtbypipesfromaspringatadistanceof3000feet.
Forthislaboriousattemptitwasabsolutelynecessarytoprocureadditionalforces,andapartyofChinese,ofwhomtherearemanyontheisland,wasengagedtohelpthem.ThesepeopleweremuchamusedatNapoleon’sworking—dress,whichwasajacketandlargetrousers,withanenormousstrawhattoshieldhimfromthesun,andsandals.Hepitiedthosepoorfellowswhosufferedfromtheheatofthesun,andmadeeachofthemapresentofalargehatlikehisown.Aftermuchexertionthebasinwasfinished,thepipeslaid,andthewaterbegantoflowintoit.
Napoleonstockedhispondwithgold—fish,whichheplacedinitwithhisownhands.Hewouldremainbythepondforhourstogether,atatimewhenhewassoweakthathecouldhardlysupporthimself.Hewouldamusehimselfbyfollowingthemotionofthefishes,throwingbreadtothem,studyingtheirways,takinganinterestintheirlovesandtheirquarrels,andendeavouringwithanxietytofindoutpointsofresemblancebetweentheirmotivesandthoseofmankind.Heoftensentforhisattendantstocommunicatehisremarkstothem,anddirectedtheirobservationstoanypeculiaritieshehadobserved.Hisfavouritesatlastsickened,theystruggled,floatedonthewater,anddiedoneafteranother.Hewasdeeplyaffectedbythis,andremarkedtoAntommarchi,\"Youseeverywellthatthereisafatalityattachedtome.EverythingI
love,everythingthatbelongstome,isimmediatelystruck:heavenandmankindunitetopersecuteme.\"Fromthistimehevisitedthemdailyinspiteofsicknessorbadweather,nordidhisanxietydiminishuntilitwasdiscoveredthatacopperycement,withwhichthebottomofthebasinwasplastered,hadpoisonedthewater.Thefishwhichwerenotyetdeadwerethentakenoutandputintoatub.
Napoleonappearstohavetakenpeculiarinterestinobservingtheinstinctsofanimals,andcomparingtheirpracticesandpropensitieswiththoseofmen.Arainyday,duringwhichthediggingofthetankcouldnotbeproceededwith,gaveoccasionforsomeobservationsontheactionsofanumberofants,whichhadmadeawayintohisbedroom,climbeduponatableonwhichsomesugarusuallystood,andtakenpossessionofthesugar—basin.Hewouldnotallowtheindustriouslittleinsectstobedisturbedintheirplans;buthenowandthenmovedthesugar,followedtheirmanoeuvres,andadmiredtheactivityandindustrytheydisplayeduntiltheyfounditagain;thistheyhadbeensometimeseventwoorthreedaysineffecting,thoughtheyalwayssucceededatlast.Hethensurroundedthebasinwithwater,buttheantsstillreachedit;hefinallyemployedvinegar,andtheinsectswereunabletogetthroughthenewobstacle.
Buttheslightactivityofmindthatnowremainedtohimwassoontobeexchangedforthelanguorandgloomofsickness,withbutfewintervalsbetweenpositivesufferingandthemostdistressinglownessofspirits.
Towardstheendoftheyear1820hewalkedwithdifficulty,andrequiredassistanceeventoreachachairinhisgarden.Hebecamenearlyincapableoftheslightestaction;hislegsswelled;thepainsinhissideandbackwereincreased;hewastroubledwithnausea,profusesweats,lossofappetite,.andwassubjecttofrequentfaintings.\"HereIam,Doctor,\"saidheoneday,\"atmylastcast.Nomoreenergyandstrengthleft:IbendundertheloadIamgoing.Ifeelthatmyhouriscome.\"
Somedaysafter,ashelayonhiscouch,hefeelinglyexpressedtoAntommarchithevastchangewhichhadtakenplacewithinhim.Herecalledforafewmomentsthevividrecollectionofpasttimes,andcomparedhisformerenergywiththeweaknesswhichhewasthensinkingunder.
ThenewsofthedeathofhissisterElisaalsoaffectedhimdeeply.
Afterastrugglewithhisfeelings,whichhadnearlyoverpoweredhim,herose,supportedhimselfonAntommarchi’sarm;andregardinghimsteadfastly,said,\"Well,Doctor!youseeElisahasjustshownmetheway.Death,whichseemedtohaveforgottenmyfamily,hasbeguntostrikeit;myturncannotbefaroff.Whatthinkyou?\"——\"YourMajestyisinnodanger:youarestillreservedforsomegloriousenterprise.\"——
\"Ah,Doctor!Ihaveneitherstrengthnoractivitynorenergy;IamnolongerNapoleon.Youstriveinvaintogivemehopes,torecalllifereadytoexpire.Yourcarecandonothinginspiteoffate:itisimmovable:thereisnoappealfromitsdecisions.ThenextpersonofourfamilywhowillfollowElisatothetombisthatgreatNapoleonwhohardlyexists,whobendsundertheyoke,andwhostill,neverthelesskeepsEuropeinalarm.Behold,mygoodfriend,howIlookonmysituation!Asforme,allisover:Irepeatittoyou,mydayswillsooncloseonthismiserablerock.\"——\"Wereturned,\"saysAntommarchi,\"intohischamber.Napoleonlaydown’inbed.\"——`Closemywindows,’hesaid;
leavemetomyself;Iwillsendforyouby—and—by.Whatadelightfulthingrestis!Iwouldnotexchangeitforallthethronesintheworld!
Whatanalteration!HowIamfallen!I,whoseactivitywasboundless,whosemindneverslumbered,amnowplungedintoalethargicstupor,sothatitrequiresanefforteventoraisemyeyelids.Isometimesdictatedtofourorfivesecretaries,whowroteasfastaswordscouldbeuttered,butthenIwasNAPOLEON——nowIamnolongeranything.Mystrength——myfacultiesforsakeme.Idonotlive——Imerelyexist.\"
FromthisperiodtheexistenceofNapoleonwasevidentlydrawingtoaclosehisdayswerecounted.Wholehours,andevendays,wereeitherpassedingloomysilenceorspentinpain,accompaniedbydistressingcoughs,andallthemelancholysignsoftheapproachofdeath.HemadealastefforttorideafewmilesroundLongwoodonthe22dofJanuary1821,butitexhaustedhisstrength,andfromthattimehisonlyexercisewasinthecalash.Eventhatslightmotionsoonbecametoofatiguing.
Henowkepthisroom,andnolongerstirredout.Hisdisorderandhisweaknessincreaseduponhim.Hestillwasabletoeatsomething,butverylittle,andwithaworseappetitethanever.\"Ah!doctor,\"heexclaimed,\"howIsuffer!Whydidthecannon—ballssparemeonlytodieinthisdeplorablemanner?Ithatwassoactive,soalert,cannowscarcelyraisemyeyelids!\"
Hislastairingwasonthe17thofMarch.Thediseaseincreased,andAntommarchi,whowasmuchalarmed,obtainedwithsomedifficultypermissiontoseeanEnglishphysician.Heheldaconsultation,onthe26thofMarch,withDr.Arnottofthe20thRegiment;butNapoleonstillrefusedtotakemedicine,andoftenrepeatedhisfavouritesaying:
\"Everythingthatmusthappeniswrittendownourhourismarked,anditisnotinourpowertotakefromtimeaportionwhichnaturerefusesus.\"
Hecontinuedtogrowworse,andatlastconsentedtoseeDr.Arnott,whosefirstvisitwasonthe1stofAprilHewasintroducedintothechamberofthepatient,whichwasdarkened,andintowhichNapoleondidnotsufferanylighttobebrought,examinedhispulseandtheothersymptoms,andwasrequestedtorepeathisvisitthenextday.Napoleonwasnowwithinamonthofhisdeath,andalthoughheoccasionallyspokewiththeeloquenceandvehemencehehadsooftenexhibited,hismindwasevidentlygivingway.Thereportedappearanceofacometwastakenasatokenofhisdeath.Hewasexcited,andexclaimedwithemotion,\"Acomet!thatwastheprecursorofthedeathofCaesar.\"
Onthe3dofAprilthesymptomsofthedisorderhadbecomesoalarmingthatAntommarchiinformedBertrandandMontholonhethoughtNapoleon’sdangerimminent,andthatNapoleonoughttotakestepstoputhisaffairsinorder.Hewasnowattackedbyfeverandbyviolentthirst,whichofteninterruptedhissleepinthenight.Onthe14thNapoleonfoundhimselfinbetterspirits,andtalkedwithDr.ArnottonthemeritsofMarlborough,whoseCampaignshedesiredhimtopresenttothe20thRegiment,learningthattheydidnot,possessacopyintheirlibrary.
Onthe15thofAprilNapoleon’sdoorswereclosedtoallbutMontholonandMarchand,anditappearedthathehadbeenmakinghisWill.Onthe19thhewasbetter,wasfreefrompain,satup,andatealittle.Hewasingoodspirits,andwishedthemtoreadtohim.AsGeneralMontholonwiththeothersexpressedhissatisfactionatthisimprovementhesmiledgently,andsaid,\"Youdeceiveyourselves,myfriends:Iam,itistrue,somewhatbetter,butIfeelnolessthatmyenddrawsnear.WhenIamdeadyouwillhavetheagreeableconsolationofreturningtoEurope.Onewillmeethisrelations,anotherhisfriends;andasforme,Ishallbeholdmybravecompanions—in—armsintheElysianFields.Yes,\"hewenton,raisinghisvoice,\"Kleber,Desaix,Bessieres,Duroc,Ney,Murat,Massena,Berthier,allwillcometogreetme:theywilltalktomeofwhatwehavedonetogether.Iwillrecounttothemthelatesteventsofmylife.Onseeingmetheywillbecomeoncemoreintoxicatedwithenthusiasmandglory.WewilldiscourseofourwarswiththeScipios,Hannibal,Caesar,andFrederick——therewillbeasatisfactioninthat:
unless,\"headded,laughingbitterly,\"theyshouldbealarmedbelowtoseesomanywarriorsassembledtogether!\"
HeaddressedDr.Arnott,whocameinwhilehewasspeaking,onthetreatmenthehadreceivedfromEnglandsaidthatshehadviolatedeverysacredrightinmakinghimprisoner,thatheshouldhavebeenmuchbettertreatedinRussia,Austria,orevenPrussia;thathewassenttothehorriblerockofSt.Helenaonpurposetodie;thathehadbeenpurposelyplacedonthemostuninhabitablespotofthatinhospitableisland,andkeptsixyearsacloseprisoner,andthatSirHudsonLowewashisexecutioner.Heconcludedwiththesewords:\"YouwillendliketheproudrepublicofVenice;andI,dyinguponthisdrearyrock,awayfromthoseI
holddear,anddeprivedofeverything,bequeaththeopprobriumandhorrorofmydeathtothereigningfamilyofEngland.\"
Onthe21stNapoleongavedirectionstothepriestwhowasinattendanceastothemannerinwhichhewouldbeplacedtolieinstateafterhisdeath;andfindinghisreligiousattendanthadneverofficiatedinsuchasolemnityhegavethemostminuteinstructionsforthemodeofconductingit.Heafterwardsdeclaredthathewoulddie,ashewasbornaCatholic,anddesiredthatmassshouldbesaidbyhisbody,andthecustomaryceremoniesshouldbeperformedeverydayuntilhisburial.Theexpressionofhisfacewasearnestandconvulsive;hesawAntommarchiwatchingthecontractionswhichheunderwent,whenhiseyecaughtsomeindicationthatdispleasedhim.\"Youareabovetheseweaknesses;butwhatwouldyouhave?Iamneitherphilosophernorphysician.IbelieveinGod;Iamofthereligionofmyfathers;everyonecannotbeanatheistwhopleases.\"Thenturningtothepriest——\"IwasbornintheCatholicreligion.Iwishtofulfilthedutieswhichitimposes,andtoreceivethesuccourwhichitadministers.Youwillsaymasseverydayintheadjoiningchapel,andyouwillexposetheHolySacramentforfortyhours.AfterIamdeadyouwillplaceyouraltaratmyheadinthefuneralchamber;youwillcontinuetocelebratemass,andperformallthecustomaryceremonies;youwillnotceasetillIamlaidintheground.\"
TheAbbe(Vignale)withdrew;Napoleonreprovedhisfellow—countrymanforhissupposedincredulity.\"Canyoucarryittothispoint?CanyoudisbelieveinGod?EverythingproclaimsHisexistence;and,besides,thegreatestmindshavethoughtso.\"——\"But,Sire,Ihavenevercalleditinquestion.Iwasattendingtotheprogressofthefever:yourMajestyfanciedyousawinmyfeaturesanexpressionwhichtheyhadnot.\"——
\"Youareaphysician,Doctor,\"herepliedlaughingly;\"thesefolks,\"headded,halftohimself,\"areconversantonlywithmatter;theywillbelieveinnothingbeyond.\"
Intheafternoonofthe25thhewasbetter;butbeingleftalone,asuddenfancypossessedhimtoeat.Hecalledforfruits,wine,triedabiscuit,thenswallowedsomechampagne,seizedabunchofgrapes,andburstintoafitoflaughterassoonashesawAntommarchireturn.Thephysicianorderedawaythedessert,andfoundfaultwiththemaitred’hotel;butthemischiefwasdone,thefeverreturnedandbecameviolent.TheEmperorwasnowonhisdeath—bed,buthetestifiedconcernforeveryone.HeaskedAntommarchiif500guineaswouldsatisfytheEnglishphysician,andifhehimselfwouldliketoserveMariaLouisainqualityofaphysician?\"Sheismywife,thefirstPrincessinEurope,andaftermeyoushouldservenooneelse.\"Antommarchiexpressedhisacknowledgments.Thefevercontinuedunabated,withviolentthirstandcoldinthefeet.Onthe27thhedeterminedtoremovefromthesmallchamberintothesalon.Theywerepreparingtocarryhim.\"No,\"hesaid,\"notuntilIamdead;forthepresentitwillbesufficientifyousupportme.\"
Betweenthe27thand28ththeEmperorpassedaverybadnight;thefeverincreased,coldnessspreadoverhislimbs,hisstrengthwasquitegone.
HespokeafewwordsofencouragementtoAntommarchi;theninatoneofperfectcalmnessandcomposurehedeliveredtohimthefollowinginstructions:\"Aftermydeath,whichcannotbefaroff,Iwishyoutoopenmybody:Iwishalso,nay,Irequire,thatyouwillnotsufferanyEnglishphysiciantotouchme.If,however,youfinditindispensabletohavesomeonetoassistyou,Dr.ArnottistheonlyoneIamwillingyoushouldemploy.Iamdesirous,further,thatyoushouldtakeoutmyheart,thatyouputitinspiritsofwine,andthatyoucarryittoParmatomydearMariaLouisa:youwilltellherhowtenderlyIhavelovedher,thatIhaveneverceasedtoloveher;andyouwillreporttoherallthatyouhavewitnessed,allthatrelatestomysituationandmydeath.I
recommendyou,aboveall,carefullytoexaminemystomach,tomakean.
exactdetailedreportofit,whichyouwillconveytomyson.Thevomitingswhichsucceedeachotherwithoutintermissionleadmetosupposethatthestomachistheoneofmyorganswhichisthemostderanged,andIaminclinedtobelievethatitisaffectedwiththediseasewhichconductedmyfathertothegrave,——Imeanacancerinthelowerstomach.Whatthinkyou?\"Hisphysicianhesitating,hecontinued——\"IhavenotdoubtedthissinceIfoundthesicknessbecomefrequentandobstinate.ItisneverthelesswellworthyofremarkthatIhavealwayshadastomachofiron,thatIhavefeltnoinconveniencefromthisorgantilllatterly,andthatwhereasmyfatherwasfondofhigh—seasoneddishesandspirituousliquors,Ihaveneverbeenabletomakeuseofthem.Beitasitmay,Ientreat,Ichargeyoutoneglectnothinginsuchanexamination,inorderthatwhenyouseemysonyoumaycommunicatetheresultofyourobservationstohim,andpointoutthemostsuitableremedies.WhenIamnomoreyouwillrepairtoRome;youwillfindoutmymotherandmyfamily.Youwillgivethemanaccountofallyouhaveobservedrelativetomysituation,mydisorder,andmydeathonthisremoteandmiserablerock;youwilltellthemthatthegreatNapoleonexpiredinthemostdeplorablestate,wantingeverything,abandonedtohimselfandhisglory.\"Itwastenintheforenoon;afterthisthefeverabated,andhefellintoasortofdoze.
TheEmperorpassedaverybadnight,andcouldnotsleep.Hegrewlight—
headedandtalkedincoherently;stillthefeverhadabatedinitsviolence.Towardsmorningthehiccoughbegantotormenthim,thefeverincreased,andhebecamequitedelirious.Hespokeofhiscomplaint,andcalleduponBaxter(theGovernor’sphysician)toappear,tocomeandseethetruthofhisreports.ThenallatoncefancyingO’Mearapresent,heimaginedadialoguebetweenthem,throwingaweightofodiumontheEnglishpolicy.Thefeverhavingsubsided,hishearingbecamedistinct;
hegrewcalm,andenteredintosomefurtherconversationonwhatwastobedoneafterhisdeath.Hefeltthirsty,anddrankalargequantityofcoldwater.\"IffateshoulddeterminethatIshallrecover,Iwouldraiseamonumentonthespotwherethiswatergushesout:Iwouldcrownthefountaininmemoryofthecomfortwhichithasaffordedme.IfI
die,andtheyshouldnotproscribemyremainsastheyhaveproscribedmyperson,IshoulddesiretobeburiedwithmyancestorsinthecathedralofAjaccio,inCorsica.ButifIamnotallowedtoreposewhereIwasborn,why,then,letthemburymeatthespotwherethisfineandrefreshingwaterflows.\"Thisrequestwasafterwardscompliedwith.
Heremainednearlyinthesamestateforsomedays.Onthe1stofMayhewasdeliriousnearlyallday,andsuffereddreadfulvomitings.Hetooktwosmallbiscuitsandafewdropsofredwine.Onthe2dhewasratherquieter,andthealarmingsymptomsdiminishedalittle.At2P.M.,however,hehadaparoxysmoffever,andbecameagaindelirious.HetalkedtohimselfofFrance,ofhisdearson,ofsomeofhisoldcompanions—in—arms.Attimeshewasevidentlyinimaginationonthefieldofbattle.\"Stengel!\"hecried;\"Desaix!Massena!Ah!victoryisdeclaringitself!run——rushforward0—pressthecharge!——theyareours!\"
\"Iwaslistening,\"saysDr.Antommarchi,\"andfollowingtheprogressofthatpainfulagonyinthedeepestdistress,whenNapoleon,suddenlycollectinghisstrength,jumpedonthefloor,andwouldabsolutelygodownintothegardentotakeawalk.Irantoreceivehiminmyarms,buthislegsbentundertheweightofhisbody;hefellbackwards,andI
hadthemortificationofbeingunabletopreventhisfalling.Weraisedhimupandentreatedhimtogetintobedagain;buthedidnotrecogniseanybody,andbegantostormandfallintoaviolentpassion.Hewasunconscious,andanxiouslydesiredtowalkinthegarden.Inthecourseoftheday,however,hebecamemorecollected,andagainspokeofhisdisease,andthepreciseanatomicalexaminationhewishedtobemadeofhisbodyafterdeath.Hehadafancythatthismightbeusefultohisson.\"\"ThephysiciansofMontpelier,\"hesaidtoAntommarchi,\"announcedthatthescirrhosisinthepyloruswouldbehereditaryinmyfamily;
theirreportis,Ibelieve,inthehandsofmybrotherLouis;askforitandcompareitwithyourownobservationsonmycase,inorderthatmysonmaybesavedfromthiscrueldisease.Youwillseehim,Doctor,andyouwillpointouttohimwhatisbesttodo,andwillsavehimfromthecruelsufferingsInowexperience.ThisisthelastserviceIaskofyou.\"Laterinthedayhesaid,\"Doctor,Iamveryill——IfeelthatIamgoingtodie.\"
ThelasttimeNapoleonspoke,excepttoutterafewshortunconnectedwords,wasonthe3dofMay.Itwasintheafternoon,andhehadrequestedhisattendants,incaseofhislosingconsciousness,nottoallowanyEnglishphysiciantoapproachhimexceptDr.Arnott.\"Iamgoingtodie,\"saidhe,\"andyoutoreturntoEurope;Imustgiveyousomeadviceastothelineofconductyouaretopursue.Youhavesharedmyexile,youwillbefaithfultomymemory,andwillnotdoanythingthatmayinjureit.Ihavesanctionedallproperprinciples,andinfusedthemintomylawsandacts;Ihavenotomittedasingleone.
Unfortunately,however,thecircumstancesinwhichIwasplacedwerearduous,andIwasobligedtoactwithseverity,andtopostponetheexecutionofmyplans.Ourreversesoccurred;Icouldnotunbendthebow;andFrancehasbeendeprivedoftheliberalinstitutionsIintendedtogiveher.Shejudgesmewithindulgence;shefeelsgratefulformyintentions;shecherishesmynameandmyvictories.Imitateherexample,befaithfultotheopinionswehavedefended,andtotheglorywehaveacquired:anyothercoursecanonlyleadtoshameandconfusion.\"
FromthismomentitdoesnotappearthatNapoleonshowedanysignsofunderstandingwhatwasgoingforwardaroundhim.Hisweaknessincreasedeverymoment,andaharassinghiccoughcontinueduntildeathtookplace.
ThedaybeforethateventafearfultempestthreatenedtodestroyeverythingaboutLongwood.Theplantationsweretornupbytheroots,anditwasparticularlyremarkedthatawillow,underwhichNapoleonusuallysattoenjoythefreshair,hadfallen.\"Itseemed,\"saysAntommarchi,\"asifnoneofthethingstheEmperorvaluedweretosurvivehim.\"OnthedayofhisdeathMadameBertrand,whohadnotlefthisbedside,sentforherchildrentotakealastfarewellofNapoleon.Thescenewhichensuedwasaffecting:thechildrenrantothebed,kissedthehandsofNapoleon,andcoveredthemwithtears.Oneofthechildrenfainted,andallhadtobecarriedfromthespot.\"Weall,\"saysAntommarchi,\"mixedourlamentationswiththeirs:weallfeltthesameanguish,thesamecruelforebodingoftheapproachofthefatalinstant,whicheveryminuteaccelerated.\"Thefavouritevalet,Noverraz,whohadbeenforsometimeveryill,whenheheardofthestateinwhichNapoleonwas,causedhimselftobecarrieddownstairs,andenteredtheapartmentintears.Hewaswithgreatdifficultyprevailedupontoleavetheroom:
hewasinadeliriousstate,andhefanciedhismasterwasthreatenedwithdanger,andwascallinguponhimforassistance:hesaidhewouldnotleavehimbutwouldfightanddieforhim.ButNapoleonwasnowinsensibletothetearsofhisservants;hehadscarcelyspokenfortwodays;earlyinthemorninghearticulatedafewbrokensentences,amongwhichtheonlywordsdistinguishablewere,\"toted’armee,’thelastthateverlefthislips,andwhichindicatedthetenorofhisfancies.Thedaypassedinconvulsivemovementsandlowmoanings,withoccasionallyaloudshriek,andthedismalsceneclosedjustbeforesixintheevening.
Aslightfrothcoveredhislips,andhewasnomore.
AfterhehadbeendeadaboutsixhoursAntommarchihadthebodycarefullywashedandlaidoutonanotherbed.TheexecutorsthenproceededtoexaminetwocodicilswhichweredirectedtobeopenedimmediatelyaftertheEmperor’sdecease.Theonerelatedtothegratuitieswhichbeintendedoutofhisprivatepurseforthedifferentindividualsofhishousehold,andtothealmswhichhewishedtobedistributedamongthepoorofSt.Helena;theothercontainedhislastwishthat\"hisashesshouldreposeonthebanksoftheSeine,inthemidstoftheFrenchpeoplewhomhehadlovedsowell.\"TheexecutorsnotifiedthisrequesttotheGovernor,whostatedthathisorderswerethatthebodywasto,remainontheisland.Onthenextday,aftertakingaplastercastofthefaceofNapoleon,AntommarchiproceededtoopenthebodyinthepresenceofSirThomasReade,somestaffofficers,andeightmedicalmen.
TheEmperorhadintendedhishair(whichwasofachestnutcolour)forpresentstothedifferentmembersofhisfamily,anditwascutoffandkeptforthispurpose.
Hehadgrownconsiderablythinnerinpersonduringthelastfewmonths.
Afterhisdeathhisfaceandbodywerepale,butwithoutalterationoranythingofacadaverousappearance.Hisphysiognomywasfine,theeyesfastclosed,andyouwouldhavesaidthattheEmperorwasnotdead,butinaprofoundsleep.Hismouthretaineditsexpressionofsweetness,thoughonesidewascontractedintoabittersmile.Severalscarswereseenonhisbody.Onopeningititwasfoundthattheliverwasnotaffected,butthattherewasthatcancerofthestomachwhichhehadhimselfsuspected,andofwhichhisfatherandtwoofhissistersdied.
Thispainfulexaminationhavingbeencompleted,Antommarchitookouttheheartandplaceditinasilvervasefilledwithspiritsofwine;hethendirectedthevaletdechambretodressthebodyashehadbeenaccustomedintheEmperor’slifetime,withthegrandcordonoftheLegionofHonouracrossthebreast,inthegreenuniformofacoloneloftheChasseursoftheGuard,decoratedwiththeordersoftheLegionofHonourandoftheIronCrown,longbootswithlittlespurs,finally,histhreecorneredhat.Thushabited,Napoleonwasremovedintheafternoonofthe6thoutofthehall,intowhichthe,crowdrushedimmediately.Thelinenwhichhadbeenemployedinthedissectionofthebody,thoughstainedwithblood,waseagerlyseized,torninpieces,anddistributedamongthebystanders.
Napoleonlayinstateinhislittlebedroomwhichhadbeenconvertedintoafuneralchamber.Itwashungwithblackclothbroughtfromthetown.
Thiscircumstancefirstapprisedtheinhabitantsofhisdeath.Thecorpse,whichhadnotbeenembalmed,andwhichwasofanextraordinarywhiteness,wasplacedononeofthecampbeds,surroundedwithlittlewhitecurtains,whichservedforasarcophagus.ThebluecloakwhichNapoleonhadwornatthebattleofMarengocoveredit.Thefeetandthehandswerefree;theswordontheleftside,andacrucifixonthebreast.Atsomedistancewasthesilvervasecontainingtheheartandstomach,whichwerenotallowedtoberemoved.Atthebackoftheheadwasanaltar,wherethepriestinhisstoleandsurplicerecitedthecustomaryprayers.AlltheindividualsofNapoleon’ssuite,officersanddomestics,dressedinmourning,remainedstandingontheleft.Dr.
Arnotthadbeenchargedtoseethatnoattemptwasmadetoconveyawaythebody.
Forsome—hoursthecrowdhadbesiegedthedoors;theywereadmitted,andbeheldtheinanimateremainsofNapoleoninrespectfulsilence.Theofficersofthe20thand66th’Regimentswereadmittedfirst,thentheothers.Thefollowingday(the7th)thethrongwasgreater.AntommarchiwasnotallowedtotaketheheartofNapoleontoEuropewithhim;hedepositedthatandthestomachintwovases,filledwithalcoholandhermeticallysealed,inthecornersofthecoffininwhichthecorpsewaslaid.Thiswasashellofzinclinedwithwhitesatin,inwhichwasamattressfurnishedwithapillow.Therenotbeingroomforthehattoremainonhishead,itwasplacedathisfeet,withsomeeagles,piecesofFrenchmoneycoinedduringhisreign,aplateengravedwithhisarms,etc.Thecoffinwasclosed,carefullysolderedup,andthenfixedinanothercaseofmahogany,whichwasenclosedinathirdmadeoflead,whichlastwasfastenedinafourthofmahogany,whichwassealedupandfastenedwithscrews.Thecoffinwasexhibitedinthesameplaceasthebodyhadbeen,andwasalsocoveredwiththecloakthatNapoleonhadwornatthebattleofMarengo.Thefuneralwasorderedforthemorrow,8thMay,andthetroopsweretoattendinthemorningbybreakofday.
Thistookplaceaccordingly:theGovernorarrivedfirst,theRear—Admiralsoonafter,andshortlyalltheauthorities,civilandmilitary,wereassembledatLongwood.Thedaywasfine,thepeoplecrowdedtheroads,musicresoundedfromtheheights;neverhadspectaclesosadandsolemnbeenwitnessedintheseremoteregions.Athalf—pasttwelvethegrenadierstookholdofthecoffin,lifteditwithdifficulty,andsucceededinremovingitintothegreatwalkinthegarden,wherethehearseawaitedthem.Itwasplacedinthecarriage,coveredwithapallofviolet—colouredvelvet,andwiththecloakwhichtheheroworeatMarengo.TheEmperor’shouseholdwereinmourning.ThecavalcadewasarrangedbyorderoftheGovernorinthefollowingmanner:TheAbbeVignaleinhissacerdotalrobes,withyoungHenryBertrandathisside,bearinganaspersorium;DoctorsArnottandAntommarchi,thepersonsentrustedwiththesuperintendenceofthehearse,drawnbyfourhorses,ledbygrooms,andescortedbytwelvegrenadierswithoutarms,oneachside;theselastweretocarrythecoffinontheirshouldersassoonastheruggednessoftheroadpreventedthehearsefromadvancing;youngNapoleonBertrand,andMarchand,bothonfoot,andbythesideofthehearse;CountsBertrandandMontholononhorsebackclosebehindthehearse;apartofthehouseholdoftheEmperor;CountessBertrandwithherdaughterHortense,inacalashdrawnbytwohorsesledbyhandbyherdomestics,whowalkedbythesideoftheprecipice;theEmperor’shorseledbyhispiqueurArchambaud;theofficersofmarineonhorsebackandonfoot;theofficersofthestaffonhorse—back;themembersofthecounciloftheislandinlikemanner;GeneralCoffinandtheMarquisMontchenuonhorseback;theRear—AdmiralandtheGovernoronhorseback;theinhabitantsoftheisland.
ThetrainsetoutinthisorderfromLongwood,passedbythebarracks,andwasmetbythegarrison,about2500innumber,drawnupontheleftoftheroadasfarasHut’sGate.Militarybandsplacedatdifferentdistancesaddedstillmore,bythemournfulairswhichtheyplayed,tothestrikingsolemnityoftheoccasion.Whenthetrainhadpassedthetroopsfollowedandaccompaniedittotheburying—place.Thedragoonsmarchedfirst.Thencamethe20thRegimentofinfantry,themarines,the66th,thevolunteersofSt.Helena,andlastly,thecompanyofRoyalArtillery,withfifteenpiecesofcannon.LadyLoweandherdaughterwereattheroadsideatHut’sGate,inanopencarriagedrawnbytwohorses.Theywereattendedbysomedomesticsinmourning,andfollowedtheprocessionatadistance.Thefifteenpiecesofartillerywererangedalongtheroad,andthegunnerswereattheirpostsreadytofire.
HavingadvancedaboutaquarterofamilebeyondHut’sGatethehearsestopped,thetroopshaltedanddrewupinlineofbattlebytheroadside.
Thegrenadiersthenraisedthecoffinontheirshouldersandboreitthustotheplaceofinterment,bythenewroutewhichhadbeenmadeonpurposeonthedeclivityofthemountain.Alltheattendantsalighted,theladiesdescendedfromtheircarriages,andtheprocessionfollowedthecorpsewithoutobservinganyregularorder.
CountsBertrandandMontholon,MarchandandyoungNapoleonBertrand,carriedthefourcornersofthepall.Thecoffinwaslaiddownatthesideofthetomb,whichwashungwithblack.Nearwereseenthecordsandpulleyswhichweretoloweritintotheearth.Thecoffinwasthenuncovered,theAbbeVignalerepeatedtheusualprayers,andthebodywasletdownintothegravewiththefeettotheeast.Theartillerythenfiredthreesalutesinsuccessionoffifteendischargeseach.TheAdmiral’svesselhadfiredduringtheprocessiontwenty—fiveminutegunsfromtimetotime.Ahugestone,whichwastohavebeenemployedinthebuildingofthenewhouseoftheEmperor,wasnowusedtoclosehisgrave,andwasloweredtillitrestedonastrongstonewallsoasnottotouchthecoffin.Whilethegravewasclosedthecrowdseizeduponthewillows,whichtheformerpresenceofNapoleonhadalreadyrenderedobjectsofveneration.Everyonewasambitioustopossessabranchorsomeleavesofthesetreeswhichwerehenceforthtoshadowthetombofthisgreatman,andtopreservethemasapreciousrelicofsomemorableascene.TheGovernorandAdmiralendeavouredtopreventthisoutrage,butinvain.TheGovernor,however,surroundedthespotafterwardswithabarricade,whereheplacedaguardtokeepoffallintruders.ThetomboftheEmperorwasaboutaleaguefromLongwood.Itwasofaquadrangularshape,widerattopthanatbottom;thedepthabouttwelvefeet.Thecoffinwasplacedontwostrongpiecesofwood,andwasdetachedinitswholecircumference.
ThecompanionsofNapoleonreturnedtoFrance,andtheislandgraduallyresumeditsformerquietstate,whilethewillowsweepingoverthegraveguardedtheashesofthemanforwhomEuropehadbeenalltoosmall.
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon,V16,1815