The Project Gutenberg Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte

B >> Bourrienne, Constant, and Stewarton >> The Project Gutenberg Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte


On the 1st of September they found themselves in the latitude of the Cape
de Verd Islands. Everything now promised a prosperous passage, but the
time hung heavily. Las Cases had undertaken to teach his son English,
and the Emperor also expressed a wish to learn. He, however, soon grew
tired and laid it aside, nor was it resumed until long afterwards. His
manners and habits were always the same; he invariably appeared
contented, patient, and good-humoured. The Admiral gradually laid aside
his reserve, and took an interest in his great captive. He pointed out
the danger incurred by coming on deck after dinner, owing to the damp of
the evening: the Emperor, would then sometimes take his arm and prolong
the conversation, talking sometimes on naval affairs, on the French
resources in the south, and on the improvements he had contemplated in
the ports and harbours of the Mediterranean, to all which the Admiral
listened with deep attention.

Meanwhile Napoleon observed that Las Cases was busily employed, and
obtained a sight of his journal, with which he was not displeased. He,
however, noticed that some of the military details and anecdotes gave but
a meagre idea of the subject of war: This first led to the proposal of
his writing his own Memoirs. At length the Emperor came to a
determination, and on Saturday, the 9th of September he called his
secretary into his cabin and dictated to him some particulars of the
siege of Toulon. On approaching the line they fell in with the
trade-winds, that blow here constantly from the east. On the 16th there
was a considerable fall of rain, to the great joy of the sailors, who
were in want of water. The rain began to fall heavily just as the
Emperor had got upon deck to take his afternoon walk. But this did not
disappoint him of his usual exercise; he merely called for his famous
gray greatcoat, which the crew regarded with much interest.

On the 23d of September they passed the line. This was a day of great
merriment and disorder among the crew: it was the ceremony which the
English sailors call the "christening." No one is spared; and the
officers are generally more roughly handled than any one else. The
Admiral, who had previously amused himself by giving an alarming
description of this ceremony, now very courteously exempted his guests
from the inconvenience and ridicule attending it. Napoleon was
scrupulously respected through the whole of this Saturnalian festivity.
On being informed of the decorum which had been observed with regard to
him he ordered a hundred Napoleons to be presented to the grotesque
Neptune and his crew; which the Admiral opposed, perhaps from motives of
prudence as well as politeness.

Owing to the haste with which they had left England the painting of the
ship had been only lately finished, and this circumstance confined
Napoleon, whose sense of smell was very acute, to his room for two days.
They were now, in the beginning of October, driven into the Gulf of
Guinea, where they met a French vessel bound for the Isle of Bourbon.
They spoke with the captain, who expressed his surprise and regret when
he learnt that Napoleon was on board. The wind was unfavourable, and the
ship made little progress. The sailors grumbled at the Admiral, who had
gone out of the usual course. At length they approached the termination
of their voyage. On the 14th of October the Admiral had informed them
that he expected to come within sight of St. Helena that day. They had
scarcely risen from table when their ears were saluted with the cry of
"land!" This was within a quarter of an hour of the time that had been
fixed on. The Emperor went on the forecastle to see the island; but it
was still hardly distinguishable. At daybreak next morning they had a
tolerably clear view of it.

At length, about seventy days after his departure from England, and a
hundred and ten after quitting Paris, Napoleon reached St. Helena. In
the harbour were several vessels of the squadron which had separated from
them, and which they thought they had left behind. Napoleon, contrary to
custom, dressed early and went upon deck: he went forward to the gangway
to view the island. He beheld a kind of village surrounded by numerous
barren hills towering to the clouds. Every platform, every aperture, the
brow of every hill was planted with cannon. The Emperor viewed the
prospect through his glass. His countenance underwent no change. He
soon left the deck; and sending for Las Cases, proceeded to his day's
work. The Admiral, who had gone ashore very early, returned about six
much fatigued. He had been walking over various parts of the island, and
at length thought he had found a habitation that would suit his captives.
The place stood in need of repairs, which might occupy two months. His
orders were not to let the French quit the vessel till a house should be
prepared to receive them. He, however, undertook, on his own
responsibility, to set them on shore the next day.

On the 16th, after dinner, Napoleon, accompanied by the Admiral and the
Grand-Marshal, Bertrand, got into a boat to go ashore. As he passed, the
officers assembled on the quarter-deck, and the greater part of the crew
on the gangways. The Emperor, before he stepped into the boat, sent for
the captain of the vessel, and took leave of him, desiring him at the
same time to convey his thanks to the officers and crew. These words
appeared to produce the liveliest sensation in all by whom they were
understood, or to whom they were interpreted. The remainder of his suite
landed about eight. They found the Emperor in the apartments which had
been assigned to him, a few minutes after he went upstairs to his
chamber. He was lodged in a sort of inn in James Town, which consists
only, of one short street, or row of houses built in a narrow valley
between two rocky hills.

The next day the Emperor, the Grand-Marshal, and the Admiral, riding out
to visit Longwood, which had been chosen for the Emperor's residence, on
their return saw a small villa, with a pavilion attached to it, about two
miles from the town, the residence of Mr. Balcombe; a merchant of the
island. This spot pleased Napoleon, and the Admiral was of opinion that
it would be better for him to remain here than to return to the town,
where the sentinels at his door, with the crowds collected round it,
in a manner confined him to his chamber. The pavilion was a sort of
summer-house on a pyramidal eminence, about thirty or forty paces from the
house, where the family were accustomed to resort in fine weather: this
was hired for the temporary abode of the Emperor, and he took possession
of it immediately. There was a carriage-road from the town, and the
valley was in this part less rugged in its aspect. Las Cases was soon
sent for. As he ascended the winding path leading to the pavilion he saw
Napoleon standing at the threshold of the door. His body was slightly
bent, and his hands behind his back: he wore his usual plain and simple
uniform and the well-known hat. The Emperor was alone. He took a fancy
to walk a little; but there was no level ground on any side of the
pavilion, which was surrounded by huge pieces of rock. Taking the arm of
his companion, however, he began to converse in a cheerful strain. When
Napoleon was about to retire to rest the servants found that one of the
windows was open close to the bed: they barricaded it as well as they
could, so as to exclude the air, to the effects of which the Emperor was
very susceptible. Las Cases ascended to an upper room. The valets de
chambres lay stretched in their cloaks across the threshold of the door.
Such was the first night Napoleon passed at the Briars.

An English officer was lodged with them in the house as their guard, and
two non-commissioned officers were stationed near the house to watch
their movements. Napoleon the next day proceeded with his dictation,
which occupied him for several hours, and then took a walk in the garden,
where he was met by the two Misses Balcombe, lively girls about fourteen
years of age, who presented him with flowers, and overwhelmed him with
whimsical questions. Napoleon was amused by their familiarity, to which
he had been little accustomed. "We have been to a masked ball," said he,
when the young ladies had taken their leave.

The next day a chicken was brought for breakfast, which the Emperor
undertook to carve himself, and was surprised at his succeeding so well,
it being a long time since he had done so much. The coffee he considered
so bad that on tasting it he thought himself poisoned, and sent it away.

The mornings were passed in business; in the evening Napoleon sometimes
strolled to the neighbouring villa, where the young ladies made him play
at whist. The Campaign of Italy was nearly finished, and Las Cases
proposed that the other followers of Napoleon who were lodged in the town
should come up every morning to assist in transcribing The Campaign of
Egypt, the History of the Consulate, etc. This suggestion pleased the
ex-Emperor, so that from that time one or two of his suite came regularly
every day to write to his dictation, and stayed to dinner. A tent, sent
by the Colonel of the 53d Regiment, was spread out so as to form a
prolongation of the pavillion. Their cook took up his abode at the
Briars. The table linen was taken from the trunks, the plate was set
forth, and the first dinner after these new arrangements was a sort of
fete.

One day at dinner Napoleon, casting his eye on one of the dishes of his
own campaign-service, on which the-arms of the King had been engraved,
"How they have spoiled that!" he exclaimed; and he could not refrain from
observing that the King was in great haste to take possession of the
Imperial plate, which certainly did not belong to him. Amongst the
baggage was also a cabinet in which were a number of medallions, given
him by the Pope and other potentates, some letters of Louis XVIII. which
he had left behind him on his writing-table in the suddenness of his
flight from the Tuileries on the 20th of March, and a number of other
letters found in the portfolio of Dia Blacas intended to calumniate
Napoleon.

The Emperor never dressed until about four o'clock he then walked in the
garden, which was particularly agreeable to him on account of its
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 dram, 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 Moliere, 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
subject which has formed so great a portion of the life of Napoleon, it
must not be omitted. To avoid anything which may appear like a bias
against Napoleon, the details, unless when otherwise mentioned, will be
derived from Las Cases, his devoted admirer.

On the first visit of the new Governor; which was the 16th of April,
Napoleon refused to admit him, because he himself was ill, and also
because the Governor had not asked beforehand for an audience. On the
second visit the Governor, was admitted to an audience, and Napoleon
seems to have taken a prejudice at first sight, as he remarked to his
suite that the Governor was "hideous, and had a most ugly countenance,"
though he allowed he ought not to judge too hastily. The spirit of the
party was shown by a remark made, that the first two days had been days
of battle.

The Governor saw Napoleon again on the 30th April, and the interview was
stormy. Napoleon argued with the Governor on the conduct of the Allies
towards him, said they had no right to dispose of him, who was their
equal and sometimes their master. He then declaimed on the eternal
disgrace the English had inflicted on themselves by sending him to St.
Helena; they wished to kill him by a lingering death: their conduct was
worse than that of the Calabrians in shooting Murat. He talked of the
cowardliness of suicide, complained of the small extent and horrid
climate of St. Helena, and said it would be an act of kindness to deprive
him of life at once. Sir H. Lowe said that a house of wood, fitted up
with every possible accommodation, was then on its way from England for
his use. Napoleon refused it at once, and exclaimed that it was not a
house but an executioner and a coffin that he wanted; the house was a
mockery, death would be a favour. A few minutes after Napoleon took up
some reports of the campaigns of 1814, which lay on the table, and asked
Sir H. Lowe if he had written them. Las Cases, after saying that the
Governor replied in the affirmative, finishes his account of the
interview, but according to O'Meara, Napoleon said they were full of
folly and falsehood. The Governor, with a much milder reply than most
men would have given, retired, and Napoleon harangued upon the sinister
expression of his countenance, abused him in the coarsest manner, and
made his servant throw a cup of coffee out of the window because it had
stood a moment on a table near the Governor.

It was required that all persons who visited at Longwood or at Hut's Gate
should make a report to the Governor, or to Sir Thomas Reade, of the
conversations they had held with the French. Several additional
sentinels were posted around Longwood House and grounds.

During some extremely wet and foggy weather Napoleon did not go out for
several days. Messengers and letters continually succeeded one another
from Plantation House. The Governor appeared anxious to see Napoleon,
and was evidently distrustful, although the residents at Longwood were
assured of his actual presence by the sound of his voice. He had some
communications with Count Bertrand on the necessity that one of his
officers should see Napoleon daily. He also went to Longwood frequently
himself, and finally, after some difficulty, succeeded in obtaining an
interview with Napoleon in his bedchamber, which lasted about a quarter
of an hour. Some days before he sent for Mr. O'Meara, asked a variety of
questions concerning the captive, walked round the house several times
and before the windows, measuring and laying down the plan of a new
ditch, which he said he would have dug in order to prevent the cattle
from trespassing.