on purpose not to see you. In endeavouring to justify yourself you make matters worse.' He said, that I did not know him; that, if I knew him, I should change my opinion. Know you, sir!' I answered; how could I know you? People make themselves known by their actions-by commanding in battles. You have never commanded in battle. You have never commanded any but vagabond Corsican deserters, Piedmontese, and Neapolitan brigands. I know the name of every English general who has distinguished himself; but I never heard of you, except as a scrivano* to Blucher, or as a commandant of brigands. You have never commanded, or been accustomed to men of honour.' He said, that he had not sought for his present situation. I told him that such employments were not asked for; that they were given by governments to people who had dishonoured themselves. He said, that he only did his duty, and that I ought not to blame him, as he only acted according to his orders. I replied,' So does the hangman; he acts according to his orders. But when he puts a rope about my neck to finish me, is that a reason that I should like that hangman, because he acts according to his orders ? Besides, I do not believe that any government could be so mean as to give such orders as you cause to be

Clerk.

executed.' I told him that, if he pleased, he need not send up anything to eat; that I would go over and dine at the table of the brave officers of the 53d; that I was sure there was not one of them who would not be happy to give a plate at the table to an old soldier; that there was not a soldier in the regiment who had not more heart than he had; that in the iniquitous bill of Parliament, they had decreed that I was to be treated as a prisoner; but that he treated me worse than a condemned criminal or a galley slave, as they were permitted to receive newspapers and printed books, of which he deprived me.' I said, 'You have power over my body, but none over my soul. That soul is as proud, fierce, and determined at the present moment, as when it commanded Europe.' I told him that he was a sbirro Siciliano, (Sicilian thief-taker,) and not an Englishman; and desired him not to let me see him again until he came with orders to dispatch me, when he would find all the doors thrown open to admit him.""

It is not surprising that this extreme violence met with some return on Sir Hudson's part. He told Napoleon that his language was uncivil and ungentlemanlike, and that he would not remain to listen to it. Accordingly, he left Longwood without even the usual salutation.

Upon these occasions, we think it is evident that Napoleon was the wilful and intentional aggressor,

and that his conduct proceeded either from the stings of injured pride, or a calculated scheme, which made him prefer being on bad rather than good terms with Sir Hudson Lowe. On the other hand, we could wish that the Governor had avoided entering upon the subject of the expenses of his detention with Napoleon in person. The subject was ill-chosen, and could produce no favourable result.

They never afterwards met in friendship, or even on terms of decent civility; and having given this account of their final quarrel, it only remains for us to classify, in a general manner, the various subjects of angry discussion which took place betwixt them, placed in such uncomfortable relative circumstances, and each determined not to give way to the other's arguments, or accommodate himself to the other's wishes or convenience.

CHAPTER VI.

Instructions to Sir Hudson Lowe for his Treatment of Napoleon.-Sum allowed by the British Government for the ExEmperor's expenses.-The allegations that his Table was not sufficiently supplied, considered.-Napoleon's proposal to defray his own Expenses.—Sale of his Plate-made in order to produce a false impression of the state to which he was reduced.-The fact, that he had at that time a large sum of Money in his strong-box, stated.-Wooden House constructed in London for Buonaparte, and transported to St Helena.- —Interview between Sir Hudson Lowe and Napoleon on its arrival.-Delays in the erection of it-When finished, Buonaparte's ill-health prevented his being removed to it.The Regulation that a British Officer should attend Napoleon in his rides, a subject of much displeasure to him.— Free communication with Europe carried on by the Inmates of Longwood, without the knowledge of the Governor.—Regu¬ lation respecting Napoleon's Intercourse with the Inhabitants of St Helena.-General Reflections on the Disputes between him and Sir Hudson Lowe.

BEFORE entering upon such brief inquiry as our bounds will permit, into the conduct of the new Governor towards Napoleon, it may be necessary to show what were his, Sir Hudson Lowe's, instructions from the English Government on the subject of the custody of the Ex-Emperor :

1

"Downing Street, 12th September, 1816.

"You will observe that the desire of his Majesty's Government is, to allow every indulgence to General Buonaparte which may be compatible with the entire security of his person. That he should not by any means escape, or hold communication with any person whatsoever, excepting through your agency, must be your unremitted care; and those points being made sure, every resource and amusement, which may serve to reconcile Buonaparte to his confinement, may be permitted."

A few weeks later, the Secretary of State wrote to Sir Hudson Lowe a letter to the same purpose with the former, 26th October, 1816:

"With respect to General Buonaparte himself, I deem it unnecessary to give you any farther instructions. I am confident that your own disposition will prompt you to anticipate the wishes of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and make every allowance for the effect which so sudden a change of situation cannot fail to produce on a person of his irritable temper. You will, however, not permit your forbearance or generosity towards him to interfere with any regulations which may have been established for preventing his escape, or which you may hereafter consider necessary for the better security of his person."