The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte

TO THE READER.

THE delay that has occurred in the appearance of the latter numbers of this work demands an apology at our hands, which we seize the earliest opportunity of thus tendering to our numerous readers. Had any voluntary neglect, or a want of attention to the public instigated the conduct alluded to, the editor would feel his task truly arduous, whereas, having only had the interest of the work in view, he confidently trusts that circumstance will plead in extenuation of the delay. Persons not occupied in prosecuting an arduous research are ill-calculated to appreciate the difficulty that exists in ascertaining the various sources of information required, and the variety of new statements that may appear, tending to elucidate the actions and motives of an individual so transcendantly interesting (considered in a political point of view) as the late Emperor of France. The death of Napoleon has not only given publicity to the voluminous and entertaining productions of Las Cases, Montholon, Gourgaud, and Segur, but the mis-statements, not to say voluntary untruths, issued by the latter, who was more the friend and advocate of Russia, than a well-wisher to his native country, have called forth a supplementary volume from General Gourgaud, disproving, in the most satisfactory manner, the various aspersions alluded to. In addition to the above, we have to notice the several memoirs of Fouché, Duke d'Otranto, Minister of Police; General Rapp; Baron Fane; Guillemard, the French Serjeant, &c. The details of Savary, Duke de Rovigo; respecting the seizure, trial, and death of the Duke d'Enghien; and, in short, such a multiplicity of other works and pamphlets, all, more or less, intimately connected with Napoleon; that justice could not be done to the detail of that great man's

annals, unless they were all consulted. Independent of the publications thus enumerated, most interesting notices are daily issuing from the Parisian, and other continental presses, containing elucidations of different acts that occurred under the imperial dynasty, as well as anecdotes, &c. which it has been found necessary to incorporate in this life, thus protracting the regular appearance of our numbers. Having accounted, and, we trust, in a satisfactory manner, for the delays that have occurred, we beg leave to state that all expedition possible shall be resorted to in prosecuting our labour to its termination, which will occupy another volume, being one more than was originally intended. This circumstance must, in like manner, be attributed to the causes above specified, and, indeed, so very copious are the sources to be consulted, that the patrons of the work will have no cause to complain of any paucity of matter, as will be evident from the variety of notes introduced, in order to condense as much information as possible, by adopting a small type.

In reference to the pictorial illustrations of the numbers, the writer, with a degree of confidence, claims the fiat of the public, as he ventures to affirm that in no one instance have the embellishments fallen off, either in reference to their interest or execution; having, on the contrary, rather increased than otherwise. That the same efficient aid which has hitherto attended our labour may continue to its support, until the completion of the work, is the sincere hope of the editor; who, for the liberal patronage already bestowed, thus begs to offer those sentiments of unfeigned gratitude and profound respect which are justly due to a munificent and enlightened public.

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