Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
solitude--the English soldiers having been removed at Mr. Balcombe's
request. A little arbour was covered with canvas; and a chair and table
placed in it, and here Napoleon dictated a great part of his Memoirs. In
the evening, when he did not go out, he generally contrived to prolong
the conversation till eleven or twelve o'clock.
Thus time passed with little variety or interruption. The weather in the
winter became delightful. One day, his usual task being done; Napoleon
strolled out towards the town, until he came within sight of the road
and shipping. On his return he met Mrs. Balcombe and a Mrs. Stuart, who
was on her way back from Bombay to England. The Emperor conversed with
her on the manners and customs of India, and on the inconveniences of a
long voyage at sea, particularly to ladies. He alluded to Scotland,
Mrs. Stuart's native country, expatiated on the genius of Ossian, and
congratulated his fair interlocutor on the preservation of her clear
northern complexion. While the parties were thus engaged some heavily
burdened slaves passed near to them. Mrs. Balcombe motioned them to
make a detour; but Napoleon interposed, exclaiming, "Respect the burden,
madam!" As he said this the Scotch lady, who had been very eagerly
scanning the features of Napoleon, whispered to her friend, "Heavens!
what a character, and what an expression of countenance! How different
to the idea I had formed of him!"
Napoleon shortly after repeated the same walk, and went into the
house of Major Hudson. This visit occasioned considerable alarm to the
constituted authorities.
The Governor gave a ball, to which the French were invited; and Las
Cases about the same time rode over to Longwood to see what advance had
been made in the preparations for their reception. His report on his
return was not very favourable. They had now been six weeks at the
Briars, during which Napoleon had been nearly as much confined as if on
board the vessel. His health began to be impaired by it. Las Cases gave
it as his opinion that the Emperor did not possess that constitution of
iron which was usually ascribed to him; and that it was the strength of
his mind, not of his body, that carried him through the labours of the
field and of the cabinet. In speaking on this subject Napoleon himself
observed that nature had endowed him with two peculiarities: one was
the power of sleeping at any hour or in any place; the other, his being
incapable of committing any excess either in eating or drinking: "If,"
said he, "I go the least beyond my mark my stomach instantly revolts."
He was subject to nausea from very slight causes, and to colds from any
change of air.
The prisoners removed to Longwood on the 10th of December 1815. Napoleon
invited Mr. Balcombe to breakfast with him that morning, and conversed
with him in a very cheerful manner. About two Admiral Cockburn was
announced; he entered with an air of embarrassment. In consequence of
the restraints imposed upon him at the Briars, and the manner in which
those of his suite residing in the town had been treated, Bonaparte had
discontinued receiving the visits of the Admiral; yet on the present
occasion he behaved towards him as though nothing had happened. At
length they left the Briars and set out for Longwood. Napoleon rode the
horse, a small, sprightly, and tolerably handsome animal, which had been
brought for him from the Cape. He wore his uniform of the Chasseurs
of the Guard, and his graceful manner and handsome countenance were
particularly remarked. The Admiral was very attentive to him. At the
entrance of Longwood they found a guard under arms who rendered the
prescribed honours to their illustrious captive. His horse, unaccustomed
to parades, and frightened by the roll of the drum, refused to pass the
gate till spurred on by Napoleon, while a significant look passed among
the escort. The Admiral took great pains to point out the minutest
details at Longwood. He had himself superintended all the arrangements,
among which was a bath-room. Bonaparte was satisfied with everything,
and the Admiral seemed highly pleased. He had anticipated petulance and
disdain, but Napoleon manifested perfect good-humour.
The entrance to the house was through a room which had been just built
to answer the double purpose of an ante-chamber and a dining-room. This
apartment led to the drawing-room; beyond this was a third room
running in a cross direction and very dark. This was intended to be
the depository of the Emperor's maps and books, but it was afterwards
converted into the dining-room. The Emperor's chamber opened into this
apartment on the right hand side, and was divided into two equal parts,
forming a cabinet and sleeping-room; a little external gallery served
for a bathing-room: Opposite the Emperor's chamber, at the other
extremity of the building, were the apartments of Madame Montholon, her
husband, and her son, afterward used as the Emperors library. Detached
from this part of the house was a little square room on the ground
floor, contiguous to the kitchen, which was assigned to Las Cases. The
windows and beds had no curtains. The furniture was mean and scanty.
Bertrand and his family resided at a distance of two miles, at a place
called Rut's Gate. General Gourgaud slept under a tent, as well as Mr.
O'Meara, and the officer commanding the guard. The house was surrounded
by a garden. In front, and separated by a tolerably deep ravine, was
encamped the 53d Regiment, different parties of which were stationed on
the neighbouring heights.
The domestic establishment of the Emperor consisted of eleven persons.
To the Grand-Marshal was confided the general superintendence; to M.
de Montholon the domestic details; Las Cases was to take care of the
furniture and property, and General Gourgaud to have the management
of the stables. These arrangements, however, produced discontent among
Napoleon's attendants. Las Cases admits that they were no longer the
members of one family, each using his best efforts to promote the
advantage of all. They were far from practising that which necessity
dictated. He says also, "The Admiral has more than once, in the midst of
our disputes with him, hastily exclaimed that the Emperor was decidedly
the most good-natured, just, and reasonable of the whole set."
On his first arrival he went to visit the barracks occupied by some
Chinese living on the island, and a place called Longwood Farm. He
complained to Las Cases that they had been idle of late; but by degrees
their hours and the employment of them became fixed and regular.
The Campaign of Italy being now finished, Napoleon corrected it, and
dictated on other subjects. This was their morning's work. They dined
between eight and nine, Madame Montholon being seated on Napoleon's
right; Las Cases on his left, and Gourgaud, Montholon, and Las Cases'
son sitting opposite. The smell of the paint not being yet gone off,
they remained not more than ten minutes at table, and the dessert was
prepared in the adjoining apartment, where coffee was served up and
conversation commenced. Scenes were read from Molière, Racine, and
Voltaire; and regret was always expressed at their not having a copy of
Corneille. They then played at 'reversis', which had been Bonaparte's
favourite game in his youth. The recollection was agreeable to him, and
he thought he could amuse himself at it for any length of time, but was
soon undeceived. His aim was always to make the 'reversis', that is, to
win every trick. Character is displayed in the smallest incidents.
Napoleon read a libel on himself, and contrasted the compliments
which had passed between him and the Queen of Prussia with the
brutal-behaviour ascribed to him in the English newspapers. On the
other hand, two common sailors had at different times, while he was at
Longwood and at the Briars, in spite of orders and at all risks, made
their way through the sentinels to gain a sight of Napoleon. On seeing
the interest they took in him he exclaimed, "This is fanaticism! Yes,
imagination rules the world!"
The instructions of the English Ministers with regard to the treatment
of Napoleon at St. Helena had been prepared with the view completely to
secure his person. An English officer was to be constantly at his table.
This order, however, was not carried into effect. An officer was also
to accompany Napoleon in all his rides; this order was dispensed with
within certain prescribed limits, because Napoleon had refused to ride
at all on such conditions. Almost everyday brought with it some new
cause of uneasiness and complaint. Sentinels were posted beneath
Napoleon's windows and before his doors. This order was, however,
doubtless given to prevent his being annoyed by impertinent curiosity.
The French were certainly precluded from all free communication with
the inhabitants of the island; but this precaution was of unquestionable
necessity for the security of the Emperor's person. Las Cases complains
that the passwords were perpetually changed, so that they lived
in constant perplexity and apprehension of being subjected to some
unforeseen insult. "Napoleon," he continues, "addressed a complaint to
the Admiral, which obtained for him no redress. In the midst of these
complaints the Admiral wished to introduce some ladies (who had
arrived in the Doric) to Napoleon; but he declined, not approving this
alternation of affronts and civilities." He, however, consented, at the
request of their Colonel, to receive the officers of the 53d Regiment.
After this officer took his leave, Napoleon prolonged his walk in the
garden. He stopped awhile to look at a flower in one of the beds, and
asked his companion if it was not a lily. It was indeed a magnificent
one. The thought that he had in his mind was obvious. He then spoke of
the number of times he had been wounded; and said it had been thought he
had never met with these accidents from his having kept them secret as
much as possible.'
It was near the end of December. One day, after a walk and a tumble in
the mud, Bonaparte returned and found a packet of English newspapers,
which the Grand-Marshal translated to him. This occupied him till late,
and he forgot his dinner in discussing their contents. After dinner had
been served Las Cases wished to continue the translation, but Napoleon
would not suffer him to proceed, from consideration for the weak
state of his eyes. "We must wait till to-morrow," said he. A few days
afterwards the Admiral came in person to visit him, and the interview
was an agreeable one. After some animated discussion it was arranged
that Napoleon should henceforth ride freely about the island; that the
officer should follow him only at a distance; and that visitors should
be admitted to him, not with the permission of the Admiral as the
Inspector of Longwood, but with that of the Grand-Marshal, who was to do
the honours of the establishment. These concessions were, however, soon
recalled. On the 30th of this month Piontkowsky, a Pole; who had been
left behind, but whose entreaties prevailed upon the English Government,
joined Bonaparte. On New-Year's Day all their little party was collected
together, and Napoleon, entering into the feelings of the occasion,
begged that they might breakfast and pass it together. Every day
furnished some new trait of this kind.
On the 14th of April 1816 Sir Hudson Lowe, the new Governor, arrived
at St. Helena. This epoch is important, as making the beginning of a
continued series of accusations, and counter-accusations, by which the
last five years of Napoleon's life were constantly occupied, to the
great annoyance of himself and all connected with him, and possibly to
the shortening of his own existence.
It would be tedious to detail the progress of this petty war, but, as a