Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

appearance, and seemed to bid defiance to the most vigorous assaults from without. It appears to have been a generally received opinion in England, that it was impossible to effect a landing in the island by surprise, and that there are only one or two landing places. The fact, however, is, that although the coast on all sides is well fenced by rocks of immense magnitude, and cliffs rising to the height of from 500 to more than 1200 feet above the sea, the island can be entered by various inlets, as well as by many singular ravines, of which there are no less than twelve whence Buonaparte might have escaped, unless particularly guarded; but as no vessel can approach in any direction without being descried at the distance of sixty miles, it would have been useless in him to escape, considering the shipping which were ever on the watch. Captain Rfurnished horses for N and myself, to take an excursion, without which it would have been impossible to have done so, from the heat of the weather, and the craggy nature of the country. We set off for the British camp, about five miles distant from James' Town, after taking an early dinner with our friend. We had literally to climb a steep zig-zag Ben Lomond kind of hill, which gave us no favourable idea of the fertility of the island, for nought is seen around but wild sterility. The road has been cut in the solid rocka work of Herculean labour. To travel here on horseback would be dangerous, if not presumptuous, were not the sides of the road secured by a parapet wall. Even in its present condition it is a giddy height, and amply sufficient to terrify those who exercise too much of their gazing conceptions, in looking down upon the inhabitants of James' Town in their grave below. We found the appearance of things much changed, after having ascended for about a mile. Rural images presented themselves; nature peeped forth in gay luxuriance; and the scenery of pastoral life became every where visible. Many pleasant country seats diversified the view, whilst our toils were rewarded by the simple notes of many a passing herdsman. Every thing appeared uncommonly fruitful; the corn rich in prospect, and potatoes high in stem: most species of fruit are said here to abound, with vegetables of every description. The scenery is greatly enlivened by a variety of fine springs and currents. We pushed on our steeds, and arrived at Hutt's Gate, the residence of general Bertrand, and were introduced to its master and his lady. Our reception was extremely flattering. A refreshment was immediately placed before us, with an

invitation to make some stay. Madame Bertrand was extremely voluble, and is a most interesting little woman. Her son, Henry, she delighted to praise; showed us his picture set in diamonds, and declared it to be the "very image of the king of Rome." The conduct of general Bertrand is understood to have been extremely consistent since his residence in the island; most people spoke of him with respect. We left our kind Frenchman and his lady, and soon afterward reached the English camp, which is half a mile from Longwood, the residence of Buonaparte. The camp was in a most beautiful situation, and included a complete view of Longwood and the adjacent country. The officers at the camp were full of complaints, and appeared, as did also the soldiers in general, to be extremely discontented with their situation. Nor is it surprising that they should be so, for unless the mind be enabled to retire within itself-to live on its own stores to concentrate its hopes on an infinite good -to extend, by the aid of fancy, the range of its ideas, retirement like this will become a durance vile, instead of a ❝blest seclusion from a jarring world." After gazing on Longwood, with the faint hope of seeing the captive at a distance, through the "loop-holes of retreat," we sauntered about the camp, and passed the sentinels. We were alone, and unobserved. A sudden thought arose in our minds, as to the possibility of gaining Buonaparte's mansion, and see

ing his person. We hesitated not a moment—we resolved;

and careless as to consequences, set off at full speed, each by a different route, to avoid suspicion. It was my lot to strike into an obscure, unfrequented, and, I believe, unknown path. Hedges and ditches were trifling obstructions in the way-curiosity and zeal conquered these and others, by which I was assailed. A large field of potatoes favoured my stolen visit, by obscuring the one half of my person. I gained Longwood, and rushed unheedingly into a door, which was open, at the back of the house. I found myself in a small uncomfortable looking room, and in the presence of a middle-aged man and a youth. I conceived the former to be the valet, or some other domestic in the family, his dress corresponding with that of persons of this description. I was mistaken; it was the count Las Cases and his son. Discovering my agitation, which had gained upon me by the heat of the weather, the race I had run, and the situation in which I then stood, he very politely handed me a chair; when, after a little breathing, I told him my tale, and that the professed object of my visit was to behold general Buo

naparte. "Sir," said, he in correct English, "your object is good, and your curiosity laudable. To see the emperor, of whom the whole world has heard, is, I repeat, laudable, and I pledge myself to gratify you." Las Cases then requested me to wait till it should be the time of the " emperor's" evening ride, which, he added, would soon arrive. Whilst seated, I observed various English mechanics passing and repassing, who eyed me with attention. I feared lest my abode within should appear too daring, and induce a mis'construction of my views. I observed to the count, that I would walk out in search of my friend N- and wait the appearance of the emperor. N was at the stables, in close conversation with captain Poppleton, whose tent was pitched adjoining them, and who then saw Buonaparte every hour, reported to the admiral, and was responsible for his person. The captain never dreamed but that we were in possession of a pass from the admiral, or he certainly would have questioned our object. He is an officer of pleasing manners, and treated us with much civility. We partook of the cheer which his tent afforded. The story respecting Buonaparte's escape from his boundaries, and the firing of the guard, is an idle tale. The fact is, Napoleon being an expert cavalry rider, and captain P. only an infantry officer, and little accustomed to riding manœuvres, the latter had been left far behind by his companion, in one of his airings. Buonaparte, it seems, enjoyed most heartily the triumph of galloping away from his keeper, who could only bear the simple jog-trot of his Rosinante. Buonaparte had really exceeded the length of his chain, made some romantic and chivalric leaps in his progress, and had climbed some dreadful steeps. Captain P. was highly incensed at his conduct, and made a report to the admiral. The unlucky evil-doer was not allowed to ride out with the captain for some time, and he was assured, by a rough message from the admiral, that if he ever transgressed in such a way again, the sentinels had orders to level him to the earth. During our conversation with the captain, an Irishman at work very near us, was talking and muttering to himself in a most humorous manner; and cursing his hard fate, in being shut up in such a place. The green hills of his native isle, with all their soft and endearing associations, seemed to awaken in his breast the'most lively emotions. He made it appear, that he had been actually trepanned into the island. Longwood comprises 1500 acres of fine land, and is a beautiful plain, elevated 2000 feet above the sea. The wood has

long since been cut down, and fields of corn and grass occupy its place. The view is extensive, and the sea prospect most enchanting. The whole presents a fine scope for contemplation.

The shadows of evening were creeping upon us, when Buonaparte's coachman appeared with his helpers, at the stables; put four horses to the carriage of his master, and drove up to the front of the house. Soon after Napoleon appeared himself, and was followed into the garden opposite, by a numerous train of living monstrosities. Having halted and formed a circle, we beheld Buonaparte and Las Cases in earnest conversation. The former bowed most politely to us, and Las Cases approached, and begged to introduce us to the emperor. We were received with marked attention, placed on each side of his person, standing uncovered with the whole of his followers. Madame Montholon was the only female in the party. I confess I felt somewhat awed at the first interview with such a man, and as I did not obtain a correct view of his countenance, I could not immediately observe "the face of villany" in all the stern reality of life, nor mark the "living lineaments of hatred." My mind was crowded with the most lively and powerful association of ideas, connected with the personage whose arm now touched mine. The shaking of empires to their foundations by a nod-the creation of kings out of nothing-the ruling the destiny of half the worldall these floated in my busy mind. Buonaparte was in high good humour; and after our names and professions were duly announced by Las Cases, he directed his discourse with great ease, but majesty of deportment, to N., as chief officer of the The conversation, on the part of Buonaparte, was in French; Las Cases became our interpreter: the former needed none, for he comprehended our answers with much felicity. Some of his questions were doubtless very silly, but I think in the main they discovered him to be a man of very superior discernment. When any were asked of a trifling nature, it was easy to discover a decided absence of mind, and a total inattention as to the reply. Certainly there was a good deal of this in his conversation, and I think his volubility in many instances, may be compared to the little bells the Chinese hang round their temples, which are under no direction but that of the wind, every breeze of which sets them in motion, and causes them to give forth rude, inarticulate, and unmeaning sounds. In spite, however, of all our antipathies to the man, he appeared to have many intellectual

[ocr errors]

distinctions to possess one original and supernatural faculty: the faculty of developing a subject by a single glance of the mind, and detecting at once the very point on which it depends. No matter what the question: though it were ten times more knotty than the " gnarled oak:" the lightning of heaven is scarcely more rapid, nor more resistless, than was his astonishing penetration: nor did the exercise of it seem to cost him an effort. On the contrary, it was as easy as vision. I am persuaded that his eyes did not fly over a landscape, and take in its various objects with more promptitude and facility, than his mind embraced and analyzed the most complicated subjects. I regret my inability to record all the judicious observations which I heard him make. His mental operations were too rapid for the memory to retain. His judgment on men and things appeared to be instantaneously formed. The coup d'ail of the military engineer, or the quick and sure tact of the medical practitioner, in marking the diagnostics of disease, bear some analogy to the conclusions of a Buonaparte. Hence it has been said of him, that the first burst of his mind was always grand. It is impossible for me to notice one third of the infinite variety of topics which he entered into, and asked questions upon. Not that he needed instruction, or was a novice in human affairs, for he was evidently master of all the subjects brought under his view. O, that with all the advantages derived from the high pinnacle on which he was placed, he had learned the art greatly how to live! The following is a selection of the subjects which formed the conversation between Buonaparte and N. What our cargo was; length of the voyage; what teas we had on board, and what description of silk; the quantity of men necessary for the ship, and expenses of their maintenance; what guns, provision, and weight, she carried; properties of the sea; ship-building in its different classes; convoy and navigation; Chinese opinion of England, and her naval power; the Chinese character, customs, manners, laws, religion, and population; battle of Waterloo, and lord Wellington; sir John Moore, and the Spanish war, &c. Questions in connexion with these subjects were demanded with great eagerness; but it was evident, that Buonaparte was well conversant with them, from the detection of several errors which had been unintentionally made. For instance in the following particular :

Buonaparte. What number of Frenchmen reside at Canton?

N. One.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »