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PREFACE.

THE manuscript from which the following work has been faithfully translated, has been in the Translator's possession since October, 1818. Circumstances, however, retarded the publication until the desire of the illustrious personage by whom it was dictated could be ascertained. It forms the ninth book of his great work. The time has not yet arrived, when it would be proper to submit to the public any more than the present volume, which is purely military; and which contains an authentic relation of the memorable events which, took place in France and in Flanders, during the hundred days.

He

The Translator thinks, that the work cannot fail to satisfy the curiosity of the nation. Besides furnishing ainple details of the operations which occurred in the Campaign of 1815, it is enriched with military criticisms of the first order. It is NAPOLEON himself who speaks. criticises the conduct of the Generals who were opposed to him, while he bears ample testimony to the undaunted gallantry of the British troops; and he supports his arguments by reasonings and by proofs. It is unnecessary to praise such a work. It unmasks some reputations, but it declares the truth. It will furnish to history inappreciable materials, and to military men interesting lessons.

If, on considering all the circumstances which have attended the publication of this work, any person should feel disposed to question the conduct of the Editor, in becoming the means of bringing it before the world, he replies, that having been chosen by NAPOLEON as a professional assistant

worthy of his confidence, and having in consequence lived under the same roof in habits of frequent and unconstrained intercourse with him, the Editor would have proved himself destitute of the best attributes of human nature, if he had not sympathised with the sufferings of a man, who, from the highest pitch of grandeur and power, had fallen into the hands of those, who, unhappily, did not consider it incompatible with their glory to treat him with indignity. When the Editor accepted from his government the appointment of surgeon to NAPOLEON, at the request of the latter, he had of course no intention to ally himself with every agent of that government in improper feelings and illiberal practices; but he considered, on the contrary, that the treatment of NAPOLEON would be in exact conformity to the public professions of that government and its Allies; that is to say, a detention from motives of state policy, accompanied by the most liberal and generous treatment; and he never anticipated

the possibility of his being expected to aid in the gratification of the worst passionsas questionable in their policy, as they are unworthy of the great nation in whose name they have been perpetrated.

It may not be improper to add, that a Translation is in preparation of the EIGHTH BOOK OF THESE HISTORICAL MEMOIRS, which will appear in a few weeks.

BARRY E. O'MEARA,

Late Surgeon to NAPOLEON.

London, February 8, 1820.

A French toise is equal to 6 feet 4 1-2 inches.

When money is mentioned, the franc is meant-equal to 18 3-4

dents.

MEMOIRS

OF

NAPOLEON.

BOOK IX.

CHAPTER FIRST.

THE BOURBONS ARE DRIVEN FROM FRANCE.

1. The imperial eagle is successively displayed from steeple to steeple to the towers of Notre Dame at Paris. II. Secret convention concluded in the latter part of the year 1814, by Austria, France, and England, against Russia and Prussia.-III. The king of Naples declares war against Austria, on the twenty-second of March.-IV. Congress of Vienna in March, 1815.

I. NAPOLEON departed from the island of Elba on the twenty-sixth of February, 1815, at nine o'clock in the evening. He embarked on board the sloop of war Inconstant, which, during the whole passage,

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